The Moringa, including all parts of the tree, are useful and highly beneficial with income potential. Researched by the experts, moringa is proven to be better in terms of maximizing what we can get out of the plant. This is shown by the number of medicinal benefits and uses that this plant has over other organic sources of nutrients and economic value.
The discovery resulted in a growing demand for Moringa oil or oil extracted from the seed of the Moringa tree in the US for use as biodiesel. One company that requires Moringa oil is North American Biofuels Inc. Since January of 2008, they started to tap moringa oil for its biodiesel needs. But there are others who joined the trend (both big and small business players in the import-export sector, farming, cooperatives, and processing plants).
In the same year, a number of MIT graduate students from the USA studied the potentials of moringa tree directly in the Philippines. They made a remarkable discovery. Their report coincides with other articles written on how beneficial moringa could be on both for the ecology (biodiesel) and people’s health or well being.
In 2009, there were more or less 200 biodiesel marketing companies that use soybean oil as biofuel in the US alone. In the next 50 years, it was estimated that Japan and Korea will be the largest markets for Moringa oil as biodiesel in the coming years.
Processed Moringa Oil for Biodiesel
Iodine number better than that of regular diesel, indicating fuel stability
Acetane number indicating good ignition behavior
A cold filter plugging point indicating suitability even in winter
Nutritional Benefits
Beneficial for breastfeeding. The moringa leaves were found with lactating capabilities for mothers as a supplement to induce increased milk production. Traditionally, leaves are prepared as a soup or mixed in other foods for the benefit of either the mother or the child. Proven as the cheapest way to control malnutrition and hunger among poor families. This has been introduced in Africa and was proven very effective.
Moringa has been used to increase sperm production in infertile men
Roots can be used to treat snake bites
(Moringa) has seven times the vitamin C in oranges
Four times the calcium in milk
Twice more protein than in milk
Four times more vitamin A than in carrots
Three times more potassium than in bananas
Moringa Use in Food Preparations
What makes Moringa it special is its better nutritional value as it is found to have 26% crude protein and rich in Vitamin A, C, iron, and potassium. You can do this in the convenience of your kitchen or home, or establish a small business selling Moringa. Here are some of its benefits:
You can mix it with other vegetables such as eggplant, ampalaya or bitter gourd, squash or pumpkin and related with sauteed fish or pork. In the Philippines, these recipes known as “pakbet,” “diningding,” and “bulanglang.”
You can also mix it with meat such as chicken, beef or pork cut into big cubes with green papaya added. This recipe is called, “tinola” in the Philippines. This is a type of soup dish.
Aside from the fresh leaves and young pods, other parts of moringa are useful as human food. The dried leaves can be crushed or pounded (filtered to remove leaf stems) and then added to sauces at the same time as other condiments or vegetables are added.
You can also use the flowers in various cooking recipes or just placed in hot water for 5 minutes to make a natural herbal tea.
Medicinal Uses for Moringa
Moringa can become a vitamin capsule as it helps in raising semen count for men
Moringa helps various ailments in the human or animal body
Rubbing leaves on the temple to relieve headache symptoms
Dressing wounds or insect bites with fresh Moringa leaves
Apply leaf extracts to areas affected by bacteria of fungal diseases
Leaf tea for Gastric Ulcers and Diarrhea
Moringa products for Malnutrition
Flower juice of the Moringa plant for improving the quality of breastmilk
Flower juice for urinary problems
Eating raw Moringa pods for liver, spleen and joint pains
Applying roasted or pounded seeds mixed with coconut oil to problematic areas with arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramps, and boils
Other Usage
The pods are good for harvesting for their seeds/peas, which you can use similar to other green peas, from the time they appear until they turn yellow and their shells begin to harden. After removing the seeds/peas and white flesh from the pod, put them into a strainer and wash them. You may also boil them for a few minutes; then, drain and boil again in fresh water.
The roots of the 60cm tall-seedling are good for a sauce. The root is ground up after the root bark is completely removed (as it contains harmful substances). After adding vinegar and salt, the sauce is ready to serve; however, it is not advisable to eat it in excess.
Dried Moringa leaves in powder form are good for bread or baked products for the added nutritional value.
Dried Moringa leaves are also good for Moringa tea or a coffee blend
Moringa granules for cooking and food processing
Juice made of moringa
Moringa oil for frying
Moringa Plant Disease Prevention
Incorporating Moringa leaves into the soil before planting can prevent damping off disease (Pythium debaryanum) among seedlings.
Water Purifier
Using Moringa to purify water replaces chemicals such as aluminum sulfate which aside from being expensive are also dangerous to people and the environment. Seed powder can be a quick and simple method for cleaning dirty water and can remove 90-99% of bacteria contained in water. You can use 20 liters of water for treatment in the following way:
Remove the wings and brown seed coat. Discard any seed kernels that have dark spots or any other signs of damage.
Pound the kernels to a fine powder.
Add 2 grams (2 small spoons) of powder to 1 cup of clean water. Pour into a bottle and shake for 5 minutes.
Filter the solution through a clean cloth into the bucket of dirty water that for treatment.
Stir the water quickly for 2 minutes and slowly for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not use metal implements.
Leave the bucket undisturbed for one hour or until the water becomes clear and the impurities have sunk to the bottom.
Filter the water through a clean cloth.
Boil the water before drinking.
Water from varying sources will need different amounts of powder because the impurities present will not be the same. Both the seeds and the seed powder are good for storage but the solution ratio made in stage 3 is not good for storing. You should make a fresh solution every time using purified water.
Moringa Oil
The mature seeds can be pressed for oil extraction. If a press is not available, the seeds can be browned or roasted, ground, and added to boiling water. Oil is then separated when it floats to the surface. The seed-cake left from the extraction can still be used for water treatment.
Moringa Animal Fodder
Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and poultry eat on the leaves and young shoots of Malunggay as a forage. The best diet for pigs is 70% Moringa, 10% Leucaena, and 20% other leaves. If trees leaves are for animal fodder, it is useful to prune them to 4m high; otherwise, you should prune them to 6m to make the harvesting easier. The seed cake, although unsuitable as animal feed without treatment to remove the alkaloid and saponin content.
Moringa the Miracle Tree
Many scientists call it a miracle tree because of its wondrous benefits. Locally, Filipinos call it “Malunggay.” Other nationalities called it Horseradish. It has a higher oil content of 40% compared to other similar sources. It has one of the most nutritious sources of food raw materials known to men.
Conclusion
There is much more this amazing plant can do for you. To receive more information or ideas on farming and processing this crop please feel free to send an inquiry.