Imagine if you will, a tree so full of nutrients, it can rebuild weak bones, enrich anemic blood and even enable a malnourished mother to nurse her starving baby. Imagine if there was a tree than can purify dirty water, can treat diabetes and control high blood pressure. Imagine if this same tree is drought-resistant and can grow under harsh conditions in countries suffering from poverty and hunger.
There is such a tree...it's called Moringa Oleifera, known also as The Miracle Tree. There are 13 varieties of Moringa, Moringa Oleifera is the most well known. Every part of this tree is edible, from the leaves, trunks, stems, all the way down to its root. The flowers can be eaten or used to make tea and provide good amounts of both calcium and potassium. The young pods can be cooked and reportedly have a taste reminiscent of asparagus. The green peas and surrounding white material can be removed from larger pods and cooked in various ways.
Moringa trees have great potential in combating extreme poverty and hunger. The nutritious leaves grow quickly, in many different environment types, and can feed people, as well as livestock and sanctuary animals. Surprisingly, the leaves contain complete proteins, which is rare for a plant. And in many developing countries, Moringa is used as a micro nutrient powder to aid indigenous diseases.
The Miracle Tree
Moringa is known in 82 countries by 210 different names, but the one name that fully encompasses all its attributes is “the Miracle Tree”. The indigenous knowledge and use of Moringa Oleifera is referenced in more than 80 countries and known in over 200 local languages. Moringa has been used by various societies (Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and Indian to mention a few) for thousands of years with writings dating as far back as 150 AD.
Aside from the nutritional and health benefits of Moringa Oleifera, its seeds it has the full potential of producing biofuel, cooking oil, personal care products, cosmetics, aromatheraphy, perfume, industrial oil and lubricants. Its oil is comparable to sunflower and olive oil. It is much better than palm oil in terms of properties, for it has a low trans fatty acids. Twelve kilograms of moringa seeds one liter of oil can be extracted and about eight and a half kilograms of cake among others as by products.
Moringa Oleifera Nutritional Facts
7 times the vitamin C found in oranges
Vitamin C strengthens our immune system and fights infectious diseases including colds and flu. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are full of vitamin C. Moringa leaves have even more.
Vitamin C strengthens our immune system and fights infectious diseases including colds and flu. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are full of vitamin C. Moringa leaves have even more.
4 times the calcium found in milk
Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis. Milk provides a lot of calcium, but Moringa leaves provide even more.
Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis. Milk provides a lot of calcium, but Moringa leaves provide even more.
4 times the Vitamin A found in carrots
Vitamin A acts as a shield against diseases of the eyes, skin and heart, diarrhea, and many other ailments. Carrots are very high in vitamin A, with Moringa leaves even higher.
Vitamin A acts as a shield against diseases of the eyes, skin and heart, diarrhea, and many other ailments. Carrots are very high in vitamin A, with Moringa leaves even higher.
3 times the potassium found in bananas
Potassium is essential for the brain and nerves. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium. Moringa leaves are even better.
Potassium is essential for the brain and nerves. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium. Moringa leaves are even better.
2 times the protein found in yogurt
Proteins, the building blocks of our bodies, are made of amino acids. Usually only animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy contain all the essential amino acids. Amazingly, Moringa leaves also contain them all.
Proteins, the building blocks of our bodies, are made of amino acids. Usually only animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy contain all the essential amino acids. Amazingly, Moringa leaves also contain them all.
.75 times the iron found in spinach
Iron is an essential nutrient because it's a central part of hemoglobin in blood which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Spinach is well known for its iron content. Moringa leaves also contain iron.
Iron is an essential nutrient because it's a central part of hemoglobin in blood which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Spinach is well known for its iron content. Moringa leaves also contain iron.
Moringa Oleifera: The Miracle Tree
Why Haven’t I Heard of Moringa Oleifera before?
While Moringa has been used by many civilizations with the earliest recorded date 150 AD, Moringa has only recently been “discovered” by modern science. According to Monica Marcu, Pharm D., Ph.D., “There are over 500,000 known species of plants on the planet and, to date, only 1% have been studied for medical and nutritional purposes.”
Where Can I Find Moringa?
Not many people know about the health benefits of Moringa Oleifera, and it's rare to find it in the US. The tree typically grows in tropical and subtropical climates. The Moringa tree is said to have originated in the Himalayas, today it can be found in countries like Africa, China, India and the Philippines just to name a few.
There is a US based company that has managed to turn the miracle tree into an energy drink called Zija. Zija contains all the parts found in the Moringa tree, it's the first all organic energy drink with no sugar or preservatives added, Zija is also the first company to include the Moringa leaf in a health drink.
Zija is a unique 100% natural blend of five parts of the Moringa Oleifera tree. With over 90 naturally occurring nutritional compounds including 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory, Zija is hands down the most nutritious energy drink to date. As little as one convenient serving of Zija every day fills in the nutritional gaps left by your regular diet, even if you eat well.
According to Zija, daily consumption of the health drink yields the following benefits:
- Antioxidants
- Nourishes Body's Immune System
- Promotes Healthy Circulatory System
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Provides a Sense of Well-Being
- Supports Normal Blood Glucose Levels
- Promotes Healthy Digestion
- Increases Energy
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- Enhances Skin Health
- Promotes Normal Liver Function
- Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles
- Promotes Normal Serum Cholesterol
- Promotes Healthy Cell Structure
- Nourishes the Eyes and Brain
- Triggers Metabolism
- Promotes Body's Natural Defenses
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Closing Thoughts on Moringa Oleifera
Moringa may be the new kid on the block, where modern science is concerned, but with all its attributes Moringa will not only continue to help people who live a world away from us not only in location but also in need; it will also be integrated into many industries of the western world including food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics.
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