Malunggay ( Moringa Oleifera)

Malunggay

                 
                Monggo with Malunggay...YUMMY! That's our viand today. My bff Dolly brought me some Malunggay leaves the other day from  her backyard. Filipinos cook malunggay leaves and pods in many ways. You  can see malunggay in almost any Filipino backyard or garden. It is a highly nutritious vegetable tree and has a wide variety of uses.


                But what is Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera?  Malunggay or Moringa Oleifera is commonly known as kamunggay in Visaya, Marungay in Ilocano, Malunge in Pamapanga and Kalunggay in Bicol. In other countries, Moringa Oleifera in called Surajana in Punjabi, Murungai Maram in Tamil, sahjan in Hindi,  shojne danta in Bengali and Sajiwan or swejan in Nepal. The Thai's call it ma rum, Indonesians call it kelor and the Nigerians call it windi bundu. In Mandarin moringa is la mu and lat mok in Cantonese.


                  Moringa Oleifera native to India and is commonly known as horseradish tree. It  is a soft-wooded tree with corky bark and feathery leaves. The flowers are white, fragrant, nearly an inch wide and grow in clusters. The fruit is a nine-ribbed cylindrical pod about 15 inches long. while the seeds are three-angled, winged and yield a product called "oil of Ben" which is used to lubricate watches.

                Moringa leaves are in fact very rich in minerals, especially iron,calcium, phosphorous, and vitamins A,B,and C. Vitamin A is essential for the proper and healthy development particularly in children. Its deficiency may lead to inhibition of growth, deformation of bones and impaired visual function. Lack of vitamin A can also lead, to an increase in maternal mortality during pregnancy. Anemia is a major problem directly related to malnutrition and malaria. A proper dose or intake of moringa and iron can greatly help to strengthen the body's defenses and malnutrition. The beta-carotene in the leaves of Moringa also act as antioxidants.Antioxidants have the greatest impact on the damage caused by free radicals,only if ingested in combination with nutrients and a group of antioxidants. Antioxidants have the greatest impact on the damage caused by free radicals,only if ingested in combination with nutrients and a group of antioxidants.This is why the Moringa tea acts as an effective source of antioxidants than any other herbal tea or green tea. and here are some health benefits from drinking moringa leaves tea...
               - helps you lose weight.
               - helps to limit the growth of tumors.
               - helps strengthen the muscles of the eyes due to its high content of vitamin.
               - relieves fatigue and stress and get a good night's sleep.
               - prevents intestinal worms because of its strong detoxifying properties.
               - contributes to increasing the number of spermatozoa.
               - helps reduce mucus and relieves headaches/migraines
               - strengthens the immune system.
               - helps reduce the pain of arthritis
               - helps prevent osteoporosis
               - contributes to healthy skin 

                  From the Bureau of Plant Industry's report, Moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of 4 glasses of milk, the vitamin C content of 7 oranges, potassium of 3 bananas, 3 times the iron of spinach, 4 times the amount of vitamin A in carrot and 2 times the protein in milk. No wonder, Filipino pregnant and breast feeding women were served or fed with soups and viands mixed with malungay to increase their production of milk and recover or prevent anemia.

                Moringa contains anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells.It is said to be effective in treating ovarian cancer, among a host of other diseases like arthritis, anemia, heart complications,high blood,  kidney problems, scurvy, asthma, diabetes and digestive disorders (ulcer, gastritis, diarrhea, colitis, dysentery).

               Sheena doesn't like to eat mongo with malunggay before. She now eats malunggay with gusto after I told her the benefits of malunggay and how it will help her grow tall like her cousin Jovanii.