English/ Common name- Drumstick tree
Local name- ನುಗ್ಗೆಕಾಯಿ ಮರ
Botanical name- Moringa oleifera
Appearance- Drumstick tree is a small deciduous tree. It can reach a height of about 9 m (30 feet); they have corky gray bark, branching, and fern-like leaves. Highly scented white flowers and long bean-like seed pods.
Origin- Moringa, native to parts of Africa and Asia, is the sole genus in the flowering plant family Moringaceae. The most widely cultivated species is Moringa oleifera, native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India.
Conditions required for growth- It’s best planted in the early spring and prefers warm temperature and plentiful sunlight year-round. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6.3 to 7.0), well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. In waterlogged soil, the roots have a tendency to rot. Moringa is a sun- and heat-loving plant, and does not tolerate freezing or frost.
Uses- The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds, and flowers are used in traditional medicine. Moringa oleifera is very rich in antioxidants. Using these leaves in your diet can help in lowering blood sugar levels. It is used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation and in lowering cholesterol to an optimum level.
Common remedies-
The leaves have 7 times more vitamin C than oranges and 15 times more potassium than bananas. It helps the body heal and build muscle and it also purifies the blood.
- To purify the blood (Part of the tree used - Leaves) : Take a half cup of drumstick leaves by separating the leaves from the stalk. Wash them thoroughly with running water (for cleaning) and soak them in clean water and drain. Add the leaves of the drumstick tree to any watery curry (preferably sambhar) in full flame until the leaves become saggy, keep stirring and serve (do not fry the leaves to retain the nutrients).
