Moringa Oleifera "Tree with enormous potentialities"

Growing Moringa

2011-06-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

Moringa is an ideal plant to grow indoors or in your own backyard. In fact, in the Philippines that is exactly what they do. You can pick its leaves and make it part of a delicious fresh salad, use it in one our many moringa recipes, (It goes especially well with chicken). Or you can dry the leaves to make a delicious green tea. You can also make tea with the leaf powder in a traditional coffee maker. If you have enough leaf, you can dry it and make it into moringa powder, like we do, and use it ‘s concentrated nutrition to balance your diet for increased energy and sense of well being. The possibilities are endless.

For those of you that live in the United States, particularly the southern and western states, you are in luck and can grow Moringa outside. Moringa doesn’t like the cold and loses it leaves in the winter. For those of you that have a true winter, where it freezes and snows, we recommend that you plant Moringa in pots, keeping them outside in the spring and summer and bring them inside when it gets cold. A greenhouse is ideal in most areas. The plant will die if it freezes completely but it can withstand a mild frost nonetheless. Moringa loses its leaves when the average temperature drops below 70 degrees.

The 12 Species of Moringa are among the heartiest in the Fauna kingdom. The most common species is Moringa Oleifera. Most research done in the areas of nutrition, water purification. live stock feed, vegetable dyes, herbal medicine and oil production are based on the Oleifera species. It is also the most plentiful. So, when we refer to Moringa we are referring to Moringa Oleifera.

Moringa grows in a variety of climates and substandard soils and it is as fast growing as it is hearty. Normal growth ranges from 3-5 meters per year if left uncropped. It is one of the fastest growing biomasses on the planet when properly nourished. The seed stock from Moringa Farms has varieties known to grow 7 meters in one year if left unchecked. A fully mature Moringa tree can grow to 35 feet.
Commercial Moringa plantations usually crop the trees so they don’t exceed 3-4 meters. Such a height allows the harvesters reasonable access and the cropping encourages horizontal growth enabling greater leaf production.

Planting methods of Moringa oleifera

2009-12-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

Moringa is planted either by direct seeding, transplanting,or using hard stem cuttings. Direct seeding is preferred when plenty of seed is available and labor is limited. Transplanting allows flexibility in field planting but requires extra labor and cost in raising seedlings. Stem cuttings are used when the availability of seed is limited but labor is plentiful.

Option 1. Direct seeding
Sow two or three seeds per hill at a depth of 2 cm. Two weeks after germination, thin to the strongest seedling per hill. For leaf, pod and seed production, space plants 3–5 m apart between rows and plants. If using raised beds, form beds with 2-m-wide tops, and space plants 3–5 m apart in a single row.

For production of leaves only, space plants 50 cm within rows spaced 1 m apart. If using raised beds, form beds with 60-cm-wide tops and space plants 1 m apart in a single row. For intensive production of leaves, space plants 10–20 cm within rows 30–50 cm apart. Closer spacing allows harvest of young edible shoots every two to three weeks.

Option 2. Transplanting
Transplanting moringa consists of two steps: seedling production and field planting.

Seedling production. Seedlings can be grown in divided trays, individual pots, plastic bags, or seedbeds. Use of divided trays and individual containers is preferred because there is less damage to seedlings when they are transplanted.

A 50-cell tray with cells 3–4 cm wide and deep is suitable. Fill the tray with a potting mix that has good water-holding capacity and good drainage. Use peat moss, commercial potting soil, or a potting mix prepared from soil, compost or rice hulls, and vermiculite or sand. AVRDC uses a mixture of 67% peat moss and 33% coarse vermiculite. If you use non-sterile components, sterilize the mix by autoclaving or baking at 150oC for 2 hours.

Grow seedlings under shade or in a screenhouse with 50% shade. Sow two or three seeds per cell. One week after germination, thin to the strongest seedling. Irrigate seedlings thoroughly every morning or as needed (moist, but not wet), using a fine mist sprinkler to avoid soil splash and plant damage. Transplant seedlings one month after sowing.

Pots or bags may be used to grow larger transplants. Fill the containers (0.5–1.0 kg by volume) with potting mix similar to that used in seedling trays. If potting mix is not available, use 3 parts soil to 1 part sand. Sow two or three seeds per pot or bag. One week after germination, thin to the strongest seedling. These plants are transplanted in the field after they reach 50 cm high .

If seedlings are started in a raised seedbed, the soil should be partially sterilized by burning a 3–5 cm layer of rice straw or other organic matter on the bed. The burned ash adds minor amounts of P and K to the soil. Sow two or three seeds in holes spaced 10 cm apart in furrows spaced 25 cm apart. Cover seedbed with a fine-mesh nylon net to protect seedlings from pests, heavy rain, and harsh sunlight. Transplant seedlings one month after sowing or when they reach 20–30 cm high. Dig seedlings using a trowel taking care that roots are not damaged. Place the bare-root seedlings in a bucket containing water and transplant them as soon as possible.

Field planting. Spacings are similar to those recommended in the direct seeding method.

Moringa may also be planted 1 m apart or closer in a row to establish living fence posts. Trees can be planted in gardens to provide shade to vegetables less tolerant to direct sunlight. Moringa trees are also used to support climbing crops such as yam and pole beans. Trees are also planted in hedgerows forming wide alleys where vegetables are planted within. Choose vegetables that are adapted to alley cropping, such as shade-tolerant leafy vegetables and herbs, since moringa hedgerows are highly competitive and can reduce yields of companion plants significantly.

Option 3. Using stem cuttings
Compared to trees planted from seed, trees from stem cuttings grow faster but develop a shallow root system that makes them more susceptible to moisture stress and wind damage.

Make stem cuttings using branches of a tree that is at least one year old. Use hard wood and avoid using young green stem tissue. Cuttings can be 45–150 cm long with diameters of 4–16 cm. Cuttings can be dried in the shade for three days before planting in the nursery or in the field. Cuttings are then planted directly or planted in plastic pots or bags in the nursery or screenhouse . When planting directly, plant cuttings in light, sandy soil. Plant one – third of the length in the soil (i.e., if the cutting is 90 cm long, plant it 30 cm deep). Add a balanced fertilizer or compost to infertile soils to encourage root development. Irrigate regularly to keep the soil moist but not wet. Cuttings planted in a nursery are ready for field planting after 2– 3 months. Follow the field planting recommendations mentioned for direct seeding and transplanting.
Source: Suggested Cultural Practices for Moringa, by M.C. Palada and L.C. Chang, AVRDC pub # 03-545

Multidimensional Moringa

2009-11-30T01:08:00.000-08:00

By Susanne Retka Schill
www.biodieselmagazine.com

The search for sustainable biodiesel feedstocks lit a fire under jatropha development late last year as almost weekly announcements were made of new ventures involving the oilseed bearing plant were cropping up worldwide. Much of that was driven by the European understanding of sustainability, which elevates nonfood biodiesel feedstocks such as jatropha to the top of the list. In the United States, a fledgling effort in the biodiesel industry has quietly been investigating another potential feedstock, Moringa oleifera, because it could serve as food and an oil source for biodiesel.

Among those searching for solutions to feed the hungry, Moringa is well known. Beth Doerr is familiar with the tree because of her agricultural endeavors in developing countries. She and her husband work with the Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization Inc., a nonprofit that grows Moringa, among several other food crops, on its Global Farm Research and Learning Center in North Fort Myers, Fla. ECHO trains people to work with small-scale, subsistence farmers, teaching them to make better use of underutilized plants, and developing small-scale, low-cost technologies. “We teach them how to produce food in difficult circumstances,” she says.

The oil from the Moringa tree is considered to be a more sustainable biodiesel feedstock than jatropha oil by those who argue that sustainability is better served by feedstocks that can yield both food and fuel.

Doerr has seen malnourished children flourish with the introduction of the nutritious Moringa leaf crop, which provides protein, vitamins and minerals in their diets. “Moringa is a great tree,” she says. “It can withstand drought, and it can withstand sandy soils.” The tree is extremely easy to start from cuttings or from seeds, and is usually grown for its leaves, Doerr says, adding that they haven’t conducted research on the tree’s potential as an oilseed crop. The tree produces seeds in the first year. In Doerr’s work with the trees the seeds were collected and used to produce more trees. In warm, favorable climates the seeds germinate within a week and the tree grows 15 feet or more in the first year. Also, in favorable climates, the trees provide three or more leaf harvests per year, while in harsher climates just one cutting is taken. “It’s a very flexible tree,” Doerr says. In Central America it is grown like a vegetable, seeded two inches apart and cut back when it’s 2 feet tall. “It will never produce seed in that case,” she adds. Moringa trees that are grown as perennials for seed should be cut once to encourage branching and then allowed to produce seed. The trees will grow to 30 feet tall when left to mature naturally.

One Tree, Multiple Uses
The many uses for Moringa products are intriguing, says Glen Meier, manager of research and development for the Renewable Energy Group Inc. In contrast to the toxic jatropha oil and meal, Moringa leaves can be used in salads, or dried and powdered for sauces and baby formula. The immature seed pods—known as drumsticks in India—are harvested and eaten like asparagus. An extract from the leaves can act as a plant growth hormone and it boosted corn yields in the South American country where that research was conducted.

Indeed, Moringa wasn’t considered as an oil source because it has so many food uses, says K. Shaine Tyson, a strategic planning, biodiesel technology evaluation and market development consultant for Rocky Mountain Biodiesel Consulting LLC. “Everybody knows it in India as the drumstick tree,” she says. “They don’t see it as an oilseed crop.”
Tyson, former director of the biodiesel program for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, began to research Moringa after she received a call from Meier wondering what she knew about the tree. For more than six months she searched for data to back up the multiple claims she found on the Internet.

Tyson presented her findings at this year’s National Biodiesel Conference in Orlando & Expo in February. The presentation generated a lively discussion between her and the Europeans in attendance. “They couldn’t understand how I could possibly say Moringa was a more sustainable feedstock [than jatropha].” A long conversation couldn’t budge them from their viewpoint that food crops couldn’t be considered as sustainable biodiesel feedstocks. Tyson believes that Moringa could yield the same amount of oil per acre as jatropha based on her review of both crops, and that it could be used for food in times of shortages.

The Moringa tree is native to India and grown in tropical and subtropical regions across Asia, Africa and South America. It is also grown as an ornamental tree in the southern United States. Because the tree is easy to establish and grows rapidly, it might lead some to question its invasive tendencies. However, Doerr says in her travels through more than 40 countries she has never seen its weedy potential. One reason for that, she believes, is because animals love to eat the tree. In some areas young plantings have to be protected from animals, although in other regions Moringa is grown as a forage crop just for animal grazing. Another reason Moringa hasn’t developed into a weed is that the seed pods aren’t dispersed by the wind. “The pods drop below the tree, get bugs and decompose, unless you collect and plant them,” she says.

Unproven Unknowns
Considering Moringa’s potential as an oilseed feedstock for biodiesel raises some questions for which there are currently no answers. For example, how are the Moringa seeds harvested? “It has not been optimized as an oilseed crop, and there is no really easy harvest technique right now,” Tyson says. Presently, the leaves and pods are harvested by hand like jatropha. Mechanical seed harvesting equipment needs to be developed to commercially produce Moringa as an oilseed feedstock. Also, there’s not a lot of good seed yield data on Moringa, although Tyson says her literature search indicates yields of about 3 tons of seed per hectare (1.37 tons per acre), a bit less than what is currently reported as potential jatropha yields. The seeds contain 30 percent to 40 percent oil that is high in oleic acid. The meal yields about 61 percent protein. “The data on the oil quality is excellent,” she says. “It’s better than sunflower oil.” Meier adds that preliminary analysis shows biodiesel made from Moringa has better oxidative stability than biodiesel made with most other feedstocks, although the cloud point is similar to tallow and thus rather high. On the plus side, the seeds are relatively easy to crush using nonsolvent-based crushing techniques, he says.

“[Moringa is] certainly of interest and we’re trying to promote interest and research,” Meier says. “We’re looking for a collaborator on additional research.” He and Tyson speculate how it might be introduced into the United States. “It is rather complicated to develop a new crop in the United States,” Tyson says. However, she thinks it could be introduced much like soybeans were, being grown first in milder climates and moving northward as new varieties are developed to tolerate the colder climate.

The crop’s multiple dimensions would make it attractive to farmers in the United States and in developing countries, Meier says. Some countries may have a sufficient food supply but lack an economical fuel source. Moringa could be grown initially as a feedstock for biodiesel production until it caught on as a food source.

While Doerr has focused solely on its food uses, she is interested in the further development of Moringa. “It does produce a lot of seed, and it produces well in areas that need income,” she says. “It merits further research and study to see if it is a viable alternative fuel and to see if a market could be developed. From my perspective anything that gets people thinking more about the Moringa tree is good because it is an incredible tree. My only hesitation would be if a large company decided it wanted to patent the tree.”

Meier says he also welcomes further work on the crop, but he fears a jatropha-like rush. “We don’t want to give false hope,” he says. “This has a ways to go. First, we need to help out some countries that need food and fuel, and second, we need to continue to work toward commercialization.” Doerr agrees that a lot of research still needs to be done. “There are a lot of properties of the tree that have never been studied,” she says. “If people get interested, maybe that will encourage researchers to find out what the tree can offer.”

How to planting Moringa Oleifera

2009-11-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Before you get started.
Before you start digging dial 811 to check for buried power lines, sewer lines, gas lines, or water lines. This is a free service provided by the utility companies, because if you dig into a buried line, at best you’ll get a bang out of it and at worse you will have a truly electrifying experience.
A utility representative will come to your property and mark for you the location any buried infrastructure services, allowing you to select the best location for your tree.
While Moringa Oleifera has a deep tap root, planting it adjacent to any water or sewer line is an invitation to trouble. All trees have surface roots. They need them to breathe and to absorb surface water during rainfall. The promise of a readily available and permanent source of water will be absolutely irresistible to the tree and an expensive headache for you in the future.

Reasons why to plant a tree.
Trees are beneficial to your environment. They reduce sound, produce oxygen, absorb CO2, sequester and store carbon, give shade, cool the ambient air around them, reduce wind and increase the value of your property. The Association of Realtors estimates that a mature tree can easily add as much as $5,000 to your bottom line.
In the case of Moringa Oleifera, to the reasons listed above you can also add nutrition.
The use of common sense when planting this or any other tree is essential. Left alone, by its very nature a Moringa Oleifera tree will grow to 36 feet in height. However, if you prune it according to the instructions given in “About Moringa Oleifera” in this website; the development of secondary, tertiary and quaternary branches will make it shorter and considerably wider instead.

Digging a hole for your new tree.
Having determined where your new tree will grow and live, delineate a circular area 36 inches in diameter; remove any grass or weeds and discard. To make planting easier it is a good idea to place all excavated dirt upon a plastic tarp. It will make clean up easier, prevent incidental damage to your lawn, and make back filling soil readily available to finish the job. Because you will be adding compost and/or well rotted manure during planting, you will notice that you have excess dirt on the tarp; this is what you will use to build a small berm to saucer water to your tree.
Our trees are grown and delivered in a burlap pouch 7 in. in diameter and 20 in. tall; hence the initial hole you dig needs to be 30 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep.
The easiest way to accurately determine the actual depth is to lay the handle of your shovel or of a rake across the hole and measure its depth at the center.
Having done so, you will next continue digging a “ring” around the outer edge in the bottom of the hole, leaving a mound of undisturbed earth in its center upon which you will rest your tree. The reason for doing this is that when you water your new tree, any excess water will settle in this 6 to 8 inch deep trench, preventing your tree from drowning yet allowing it to drink from it as needed.
The hole has been dug but you are not through yet. Arizona soil is compacted and in many instances it will drain poorly. To compensate and avoid the “steel pan” or “hard clay pot” syndrome that will impair drainage further and constrain root development into the undisturbed surrounding soil, you need to deeply scratch, gauge or score the sides and bottom of the hole. For this task you can use a pick, the edge of your shovel, the teeth of a heavy rake, even a heavy screw driver will do the trick.
Next it is highly recommended that you fill the hole with water and allow it to drain completely, thus providing extra moisture to the surrounding soil and further encouraging root development. Remember roots follow moisture, encourage them to grow.
You are now ready to finally plant the tree. Always pick it up by cradling the bottom of the root ball (this should not be a problem because our trees are not that heavy) NEVER pick it up by its trunk; because you risk separating the roots from the trunk, something that will inevitably kill your tree.
Place the tree upon the undisturbed mound in the center of the hole and have someone else view its position from different angles to be sure it is straight. Once you begin backfilling, repositioning a tree is a very difficult if not a nearly impossible task.
A good mixture to backfill the hole is 25% compost, 25% rotted manure and 50% native soil, just be sure to remove any stones and break up any large clumps. The tree’s roots will grow through the burlap bag, which in turn will decompose in time and further contribute to the fertilization of the tree.
When backfilling never burry the entire root ball, by placing a 20 inch bag on an 18 inch hole you avoid burying the trunk flair, this is where the roots spread at the base of a tree. This point should be partially visible after the tree has been planted.
The tree is finally in the ground and you have built the surrounding berm that will help contain the water. You are now ready for the final steps.
Cut a 4 or 5 inch wide band from a 2 liter plastic bottle, and slice it so that you can spread it and place it around the base of the tree (you can put it back together again with a staple after it is in place). The purpose of this ring is to make a collar that will keep the mulch you will apply next away from contacting the base of the tree for the next few months.
Mulch, mulch, and mulch some more. Mulch is a tree’s best friend; it retains moisture, detracts weeds from growing, reminds anyone with a lawn mower or a weed whacker to stay away, and as it decomposes it further feeds the tree. Wood chips and dried leaves make excellent mulch.
Finally water the tree a two or three times; the small berm you built around the planting hole will be your measure. Fill it up. The watering will accomplish two things. It will provide much needed moisture and more important, it will allow the soil to settle around the root ball and eliminate air pockets.
You have now done all you can, let Mother Nature take over from this point on. Just be sure to fill up the berm with water a couple times a week for the next year. Your tree will be a thing of beauty.
Source: www.treesofarizona.com

Moringa oleifera : Harvesting pods and leaves

2009-11-27T21:55:00.000-08:00

Whenever harvesting pods for human consumption, collect them while they are still young and immature, are less than ½ inch in diameter (about the standard size and length of a green bean) and easy to snap.

Older pods develop a tough fibrous exterior similar to that of artichoke leaves, but the white seeds and flesh remain edible until the ripening process begins. You will find additional information on cooking and processing pods in the recipe file.

The leaves can be harvested also, and made part of a fresh salad; used in omelets, as lettuce substitute in sandwiches, cooked like spinach and even used as a parsley substitute in garnishes. Never include leaf stems as part of any edible portion. We are currently scouring the internet and ethnic populations to compile a recipe file for epicurean gourmets and adventuresome souls as well.

Of course, you can also dry the harvested leaves and make an incredibly nutritious and tasty green tea in the traditional Chinese way by breaking them up and steeping them in hot water. It might interest you to know that it is possible to make tea with the leaf powder also by means of a standard coffee maker, in reality all you have done is substitute Moringa powder for the coffee grounds.

Another possibility after harvesting the leaves is to hang them up to dry just as you would basil, rough crush them and then use them in soups and sauces. Just be careful to exclude all the stems

A further advantage of these freshly dried leaves is that by running them through your coffee grinder and making a very fine powder, you can fortify smoothies and power drinks. , failure to do so will treat you to a new experience; because you will find them as tender, tasty and delightful as pieces of toothpicks in your food.

We in the American Southwest are in luck because we can grow Moringa trees outdoors. While this tree can sustain temperatures as high as 118 degrees Fahrenheit, it does not like the cold and will lose it leaves for the winter as soon as the temperature drops and stays below 70 degrees.

For those westerners who live in areas that have a true winter, like New Mexico where it freezes and snows, it is recommended that Moringa be planted in pots, keeping them outside in the spring and summer and bring them inside when it gets cold. A greenhouse, if you have one, is ideal for this task, because the plant will die if it freezes completely, although it should be duly noted that it can and will withstand short term mild frosts.

There are 12 Species of Moringa trees and they are among the heartiest and fastest growing on earth. The most common species is the Moringa Oleifera which is the one we offer, and the one used for most, if not all, of the research done in the areas of nutrition, water purification, live stock feed, vegetable dyes, herbal medicine and oil production. It just so happens to be that Moringa Oleifera is also the most plentiful of the 12.

Moringa grows in a variety of climates and substandard soils. On average it normally grows a foot per month if it is not pruned. When properly nourished, it is one of the fastest growing biomasses on the planet. The seed stock we use to grow our trees and that we also have for sale as well; comes from India and can be expected to attain its full height of 36 feet in 3 to 3 ½ years if it is not pruned.

Commercial Moringa plantations usually crop the trees so they don’t exceed 9 to 12 feet tall. The reason is that such a height allows the harvesters reasonable access and the cropping encourages horizontal growth for greater leaf production. Depending on your intent (harvesting and eating the immature pods, for instance) you might consider doing the same.

Local products to fight malnutrition: the Moringa oleifera

2009-11-26T22:50:00.000-08:00

Here's an interview with Roberto Cavallini, food technology, agricultural expert and PhD in Public Health, a consultant to the project on Tchad ACRA, which explains how the pint of moringa pou 'mlnutrizione be used to fight in Africa.

What Is Moringa oleifera?

The Moringa oleifera, family Moringaceae, is a plant of small size (4-8 m) of Indian origin. The genus Moringa is known so far in 13 species, but the best known and cultivated remains Moringa oleifera, a plant with many uses and many virtues.

What origin? As has arrived in Africa?

Since its original riverbed, the hilly areas near the Himalayas, over time, spread to the rest of Asia and Africa prefers arid, one of its main features, in addition to the remarkable hardiness is the lack of need for water, a factor that has enabled it to adapt well to the climatic conditions typical of the Sahel zone. It can be assumed that, over the centuries, trade and relations between different populations will have greater awareness and use leading to a more rapid propagation.

What current uses and potential?

Practically all parts of the plant can be used and be beneficial to humans. The leaves, flowers, seeds and fruits, similar to the long pods are eaten either fresh or cooked. We find many recipes in almost all traditional African and Asian recipes, from the simplest to the most complicated herbal tea preparation. Is derived from the seeds of high quality oil used for food, therapeutic and industrial. The roots and bark can be drawn fibers, dyes and tannins. On each side of the plant is possible, in various traditional medicines derived medicines for varied diseases: scurvy, hepatitis, toothache, and others. Of great interest also are the properties of flocculants seed meal thanks to the proteins that constitute it is possible to purify the water by precipitating the pollutants contained therein. In developing countries has already been tested in different contexts that possibility and positive results will encourage a greater understanding and use. Thanks to its ease of cultivation and production, Moringa is certainly a valuable help to increase accessibility to safe water, access which is currently unfortunately still denied to too many people.

How can be a remedy for malnutrition?

In terms of food a starring role concealed it certainly leaves, due to their high nutritional value. The leaves are in fact very rich in minerals, especially iron and calcium, protein, consisting of many essential amino acids, and vitamins, among which stands out as the carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Anemia is a major problem directly related to malnutrition and malaria; supplement the normal diet with Moringa and its intake of iron, can greatly help to strengthen the body's defenses and escape the spiral of malnutrition, we must remember it is today, in 2007, a major cause of mortality worldwide. Vitamin A, particularly in children, is essential for the proper and healthy development. 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. Clear that results when a balanced diet, supplements and enriched Moringa, is essential to assure normal growth and proper development of children and adults.

The production of derivatives of Moringa can be an occasion of income for local people?

In the area of gound, where the project is active Acra, for now this is not a business like this because, although the plant is grown and used for many centuries, is not seen in all of its benefits and its potential. That is the potential economic and hence generating income, that the cultivation of the plant make the peasants to pua gound is a matter of primary importance.

How do Moringa seeds work in water treatment?

2009-11-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

The seeds are a natural flocculant. The flocculant acts by capturing particles suspended in water and causing them to add up and rushed fondo.Modo Jobs (craft), mature seeds and grind just wrapped in some type of tissue that prevents falling apart, when introduced into the purifying 'water.

Active ingredient: it is a polyelectrolyte which was recently identified and isolated by the laboratories of biomass in Nicaragua. For one kilogram of this element would require about 100 kg of seeds. E 'was also found that the level of electrolytes found in seeds of Moringa is much lower during the dry season. This may explain the failure of some preliminary tests for the development of water sanitation projects in Africa. E 'therefore be used as a flocculant only seeds collected during the dry season.

The removal of organic and inorganic raw water is essential before they can be sterilized for human consumption. In water treatment, this stage is the clarity, usually obtained through the application of chemical coagulants to change the water in liquid state to a semi-solid. This is usually followed by flocculation, the process smooth and continuous agitation of coagulated water, which promotes the formation of flakes, through the aggregation of tiny particles in water. Flocs can be easily removed by sedimentation or filtration.

For many communities in developing countries, however, the use of coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation is low due to high cost and limited availability of chemical coagulants such as alum and iron salts.
This technique provides a brief overview of the implementation of an indigenous, naturally derived coagulant, i.e., the material of seed multipurpose tree Moringa oleifera Lam. (M.oleifera) offered an alternative to using expensive chemical coagulants.

How do seeds work?

The seed kernels contain significant quantities of several water molecules and soluble proteins in solution carry a positive charge. Proteins are considered to act in a manner similar to synthesis of positively charged polymer coagulants. When added to raw water to bind the proteins predominantly to negatively charged particles that make it rough murky waters (silt, clay, bacteria, etc.).
Under adequate agitation these particles then grow in size to form flakes, which can be solved by gravity or be removed by filtration.

Household water treatment

The traditional use of seeds for water treatment M.oleifera family is restricted to rural areas in Sudan. Village women to collect water from the river Nile, and place the seeds into powder in a canvas bag with a rope attached. This bag is inserted the murky water to promote coagulation and flocculation.
The flocculated solids are allowed to settle and the treated water is removed by boiling and subsequent consumption.
source: www.moringa.es

Moringa - in professional life

2009-11-25T12:14:00.000-08:00

In today's working life, people are more demanded than ever before. In addition to the daily show high performance pressure must be said that they withstand these strains. Stress and tension are part of the competition and resilience is a property that is much in demand today. But sooner or later, this constant stress leads to physical problems such as diabetes, Bluthochdruch and cardiovascular diseases.

Moringa powder-seeds, oil, and capsules can help your health by:
A Antioxidative effect Moringa contains 46 antioxidant substances and is one of the most important natural sources of antioxidants. For example, vitamin C and vitamin E are the main antioxidants, which protect cells and tissues during physical exertion, and thus support the body in performance.
A high proportion of amino acids Amino acids are important components when it comes to transporting oxygen, concentration and brain function. They support the Menale performance and are a good brain function is very important.
Better Vision At work or at home - most people spend their time in front of the screen. This weakens the eyes and contribute to that vision decreases.

The strength of our eyes is directly related to the intake of vitamin A. When our diet contains too little vitamin A, this has a negative impact on our vision.

Moringa contains 4 times more vitamin A than carrots, and helping people see better.

Better Concentration Moringa is rich in vitamin E and contains 4 times more beta carotene than carrots, and a high iron content, which increases the ability of blood to bind oxygen in hemoglobin. When increasing the oxygen supply to the brain to stimulate the brain cells and this increases the mental ability and concentration. In addition, while the whole metabolism activated in the body.

Less fatigue Overtime weaken the body. Moringa is by far the most nutritious plants, and can replace missing vitamins, minerals and proteins in the body. The difference between Moringa and other supplements is that Moringa is 100% natural, contain no synthetic substances and
nutrients contained in a natural combination.

All vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium and many other minerals and trace elements are absorbed directly through the body and utilized.

Moringa, the new food and energy source of the 21 Century.

2009-11-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

Many vegetables and fruits are particularly well known and popular, because they contain a high proportion of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
As we know contains a lot of soy protein, rich in vitamin C. Oranges, carrots contain more vitamin A and milk calcium.

In the leaves show 18 of the 20 amino acids. 11 of which are essential and indispensable for human beings.

Moringa contains as much vitamin A, B, C and E, minerals, proteins, amino acids, trace elements, plant associated substances and chlorophyll than any other vegetable or fruit.
Moringa as an antioxidant: Moringa contains many antioxidants. Selenium, an important antioxidant, it can not flourish without vitamin E. Moringa leaves contain both selenium and a high amount of vitamin E. Moringa is highly relevant in the prevention of many eye disorders and senility.

Moringa is in many countries today the most important food and energy source for humans, animals and plants.

The leaves of the Moringa tree contain all the important nutrients needed by the body, from its birth in the womb until his dying day.

African Moringa tree grows in the poorest regions will be planted in medical centers and the leaves and fruits (as fresh vegetables or as dried powders) are administered to pregnant and lactating women, as well as babies and children.

However, not only in Africa, people are undernourished, even in the West Moringa is one of the most important food sources for vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc., are.
In America, we have discovered a long time the benefits of Moringa and Moringa powder has as a dietary health and wellness area has long surpassed the status of vitamin.
Even for vegetarians Moringa has become a very important source of protein.
Worldwide Moringa is grown and used as:

Food: The staple food and as food (leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, oil and powder from the leaves.). Sprouts taste like horseradish and fruits such as Asparagus.

Medicine: Leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, twigs, bark, roots. Oil, powder of the leaves.

Get food: the Moringa as a supplement livestock feed (2 kg per day), take significantly in weight (to give up to 32%) and females up to 43% more milk. Can be fed to pets.

As an alternative source of energy and pollution control: Moringa grows in tropical climates up to 30 cm per month. An acre of Moringa delivers up to 700 tons of biomass per year. The Moringa oil, which is extracted from the seeds, is one of the best oils for use as biodiesel.

Plant Fertilizer / Food: The plants and fruits are stronger and more resistant to many diseases and microorganisms. Also suitable for garden and houseplants.

Water Treatment with Moringa Seeds

2009-11-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

In some developing countries, the river water used for drinking and household use, in general, can be very muddy, especially during the rainy season, which contains suspended solids, bacteria and other microorganisms. Every year, millions of children could die in these countries, victims of infections caused by dirty water. It is necessary to remove many of these materials before using it for consumption. Usually this is achieved with the addition of chemical coagulants, within a treatment sequence controlled. Chemical coagulants such as aluminum sulfate, sometimes not available at a reasonable price to people in developing countries. An alternative is the use of natural coagulants, usually of plant origin, to promote the coagulation of such particles.
The recently discovered the use of powdered seeds of Moringa oleifera for the purification of water, at a cost of only a fraction of conventional chemical treatment is an alternative of the utmost importance. Regarding the removal of bacteria, reductions in the order of 90-99% have been reported in the literature. It should be noted, however, that the use of seed treatment, as well as other coagulants and natural chemicals, does not produce purified water. The risk of infection can be greatly reduced and the water is considered safe. Therefore, some form of disinfection, such as boiling point, is recommended.
In a pilot project for water treatment in Malawi, in Africa, it was noted that while aluminum is effective as a coagulant in only a narrow range of pH levels of water to be treated, the seeds of Moringa act independently of pH, which is in a head start in developing countries, where usually you can not effectively control the pH before coagulation. These seeds can be used in water treatment, making it possible to ensure that emerging countries can have safe water, drinking water and domestic use. May, without doubt, become a solution to reduce the incidence of diseases caused by impure water, which are a major cause leading to high incidence of death. There are reports in the literature, the introduction of Moringa oleifera in some states in Brazil since 1950. However, its potential has not been well known, the plant was used only as an ornament.
EMBRAPA Coastal Tablelands, in Aracaju, Sergipe, in a pioneering work, has undertaken a preliminary study with plants of Moringa oleifera on their behavior in the conditions of the region. Interest in the potential of plants has grown considerably in the community and a program of seedling production is already underway. Planting of seedlings of Moringa oleifera in the experimental stations of this center has been established to provide, as seed banks for future programs to use the plant as a food source and purification of natural water for the residents of areas subject to drought.

Moringa vitamins in the treatment of Diabetes

2009-11-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

In the small town of Uvira on Lake Tanganyika on the border between the Congo and Burundi, the health center, active in providing diabetes care, attracting many people in the region. Dieudonné arrived at the center in November 2005, hanging from the shoulders of his brother. His brother brought him from a house of prayer, where he had stayed a month. He was losing weight rapidly and without the intervention of his brother, had died suddenly. At first, none of his family or his community could have suspected diabetes. In some African cultures, the appearance of a mysterious disease that can not be treated within a few days means that it has put a curse or a spell. For this reason the person is sent to a traditional healer or a house of prayer. Dieudonné was extremely thin. With 26 years, measured 1.56 m and weighed 27 kg, his BMI was approximately 11 (, ideally between 18 and 25). We could barely detect his blood, his blood sugar was above 22 mmol / l (400 mg / dl) had anemia and tuberculosis, and had a fever.
The medical team began to look after him as best he could with repeated small doses of regular insulin and vitamin concentrate from the leaves of Moringa. They need to watch for someone who is underweight and malnourished may be hypersensitive to insulin. Fortunately the treatment worked. Dieudonné was re-hydrated, he was re-nourishing progressively crushed seeds of Moringa and was treated for tuberculosis. One year after careful nursing, the weight of Dieudonné had increased to 45 kg, reaching 53 kg in September 2007. Today has been integrated into normal daily life and provides a great help at the health center.
An administrator of another hospital is diabetic and said: "Over the past three years I have been monitoring the blood sugar regularly taking a tea prepared from leaves of Moringa. He decided to plant thousands of trees around the hospital complex. "This way we always have on hand supplies sheets to treat cases of malnutrition that we receive."

source: www.moringa.es

Moringa Olifera - "A natural coagulant for water treatment"

2009-11-23T00:15:00.000-08:00

In the tropics, many people use rivers as their main water source. The river water can be cloudy and very polluted, especially during the season rainy season when river sediments are removed and remain in suspension, along with runoff fields and other surfaces carrying solids, bacteria and other organisms micro element.
It is essential that purification procedures eliminate the maximum amount of suspended material, before they go to water disinfection stage. To remove the solid material used coagulants, which are added to untreated water, usually are products chemicals such as aluminum sulfate (alum) or synthetic polyelectrolytes. In countries developing these products are often imported, involves a large outlay of foreign exchange.
For many years researchers have been explore the potential of the seeds of Moringa Oleifera in water treatment, by collecting samples from containers water storage, seed treated with Moringa crushed to better sedimentation. Their findings show that the seed of Moringa Oleifera crushed, a natural coagulant could be a viable alternative to replace partially or completely alum and other products chemicals used in water treatment.
In developing countries, technologies for the water treatment should be solid, cheap and less complicated as possible. With this philosophy in mind treatment is prototype design process for the purification of river water. The plant was installed in the grounds of the Workshop Water Treatment Thyolo, Region Nsanje, in Malawi, a treatment plant controlled by the Ministry of Works and the Water Department of Government of Malawi. The pilot system was put in service in 1992 during the rainy season, in which time, levels of contamination of river water exceeded 400 NTU.(Nephelometric Units Turbidity used to measure pollution are optical measure of the amount of suspended material; in the guidance of World Health Organization, the value of drinking water in developing countries is 5 NTU).
In the pilot plant, the removal of solids was higher to 90%, consistent Fonna after a period of flocculation in a bed of gravel and sediment flat horizontal flow. A subsequent filtration with sand rapid gravity gave a final water pollution treated fairly below 5 NTU. The dose of Moringa oleifera used in the pilot plant ranged from j5, 250 mg/L-1, depending on the initial water turbidity(Folkard et al., 1993). It was also noted that, while alum performs well as a coagulant only in a restricted area of pH levels, the Moringa performs well regardless of pH water. This is an advantage for developing countries development, where they often can not be controlled in effectively the pH prior to coagulation.
In Lake Hajar, in Zimbabwe, have become recently enriched treatment studies organic material and nutrients. The lake feeds the plant primary treatment (Sutheriand et aL, 1995). The water contains much organic matter in light suspension caused by growth of algae and generally remains a bit murky during the year. Therefore, the treatment requires large amounts of alum, which is the primary coagulant. The flocculus of alum overflows the clarifiers and can clogging the filter and generate a large amount of sediments, it is also a source of contamination when discharged into water bodies. The use of Moringa oleifera combined with sodium bentonite as an agent counterweight was a quality of water equivalent to produced using alum. The sediment was much more compact and the product, instead of being an agent contaminant, works as a conditioner and soil fertilizer.

Reference:

SUTHERLAND, J.P.; FOLKARD, G.K.; AL KHALILI, R. 1995. Preliminary investigations of alternativa coagulat/floeculant dosing regimes to treat the Morton Jaffray source water. Report to Construction Associates. s.n.t. s.p.

FOLK-ARD, G.K.; SUTHERLAND, J.P.; GRANT, W.D. 1993. Natural coagulants at pilot seale. In: Piekford J., ed. Water, environtnent and management: WEDC Conference (18, 1992, Kathmandu Nepal). Proecedings. Loughborough, G.B., Loughborough University Press. p. 51-54.

Cup of Moringa Tea, Awesome healthy drink recipes

2009-11-19T10:47:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1 Moringa Tea bag
2-3 cups of water

Directions: It is advisable to boil together 1 tea bag and about 2-3 cups of water depending on how strong or how light your palate would like it. You may also boil the water separately placing the hot water immediately into a teapot with the tea bag. Don’t wait for it to cool down as the tea bag might not produce the taste and colour you look for. You can also enjoy Moringa Herb Tea by adding sweeteners, creamers, lemon or calamansi, or just about anything you would add on any other tea. Moringa Herb Tea can also be served as iced tea. Just follow the procedure of boiling and then refrigerate and add ice for a refreshing cold drink. (source: shop.themoringamiracle.co.uk)

Moringa leaves are the most nutritious of the Moringa tree.It is a significant source of calcium, iron, phosphorus and vitamins A, B and C.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.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...
- help you lose weight.
- help to limit the growth of tumors.
- help strengthen the muscles of the eyes due to its high content of vitamin.
- relieve fatigue and stress and get a good night's sleep.
- prevent intestinal worms because of its strong detoxifying properties.
- contribute to increasing the number of spermatozoa.
- help reduce mucus snd relieves headaches Migraines
- strengthen the immune system.
- help reduce the pain of arthritis
- preventing osteoporosis
- contribute to healthy skin

Project on health, The rediscovery of the Moringa tree

2009-11-19T00:53:00.000-08:00

Today, in Zimbabwe, is a heavy burden. In addition to the difficult political circumstances and its consequences, especially violent makes the economic situation of people's lives is difficult. The former breadbasket of Africa is to feed because of the ruinous policies of the major problems of the regime in power, its people. Even the most basic foodstuffs such as flour, sugar and oil are getting the Barely Legal Black market prices for them are high, the long lines outside stores. For the majority of people in Matabeleland North, to live in a rural area near the border with Zambia, life has never been easy. But in times like these, lack almost everything: work, transportation, fertilizer and equipment to cultivate the fields, medications for humans and animals.
"In many families, has left traces of AIDS, women must raise their children alone or care for children of relatives, some children have to live completely alone," said Ncube Shackson the organization of the environment in Africa . He developed a program to protect the most vulnerable in the villages of their survival.

Roots against rheumatism bark for skin diseases

Besides the creation of vegetable gardens, Environment Africa has specialized mainly in the cultivation of the Moringa tree. Supermarket in a tribe of American researchers call tree anonymously. But who has to do: The roots are used against rheumatism and aching legs, the skin contributes to infection of the skin. Especially for children are the leaves of the "Moringa oleifeira" a bomb of vitamins and proteins. With 100 grams of fresh leaves to all the needs of their children for football, and able to cover three quarters of its iron and half his protein needs. There is also a tree full of vitamins A and C. In particular, for HIV-infected children is the provision of vitamins and minerals, as important as a good nutritional basis. Thus, the AIDS virus is less dangerous in a position to attack the already weak protection of children. The Moringa tree is said, can facilitate up to 300 illnesses.

for more information please visit: www.tdh.de

What make Moringa oleifera so unique?

2009-11-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

Moringa's various components, such as seeds, roots, pods, seeds, leaves and bark has long been used as the health and development of traditional funds. The particularity of Moringa oleifera is the interest of Western scientists and head of human action is immense.

The seeds are the best conditioning agent for natural water: Crushed seeds per 1 liter of water can not be killed that 99 percent of germs, but also removes particles of dirt. This realization made water-soluble proteins, bacteria, viruses,

microbes and natural impurities, and then make it difficult to tie to get rid of the bottom.
Moringa tree grows rapidly after harvest and rapidly renewable resources for many applications. Within 12 months it already grows to 5-8 meters and then pay even fruit. The remarkable thing is that thrives where it is used as a food source of income is no longer necessary.
The leaves and leaf powder are derived from a dynamite "nutrition": In particular, leaves 1-2 cm wide, leaf powder can also in our part of many health and nutrition to address. The protein content is approximately 30%. Unlike many other sources of vegetable protein, however, are all essential amino acids in a balanced product and are immediately usable for the body and usable. At the same time, the leaves are still the exception in relation to health and mineral content.

The organization Trees For Live International: "This plant could save millions of lives. "

Malunggay(Moringa), the miracle vegetable

2009-11-18T01:46:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines - When people think “healthy”, they automatically associate the word with a fruit-and-vegetable-rich diet. For vitamin A, they load up on carrots; for vitamin C, they turn to oranges and pineapples; for potassium, they go for bananas. The list goes on. However, a lot of them are missing out on a certain plant that has all of these nutrients, and more.

“Ang malunggay”: Secura Corporation president Danny Manayaga is dedicated to the production of malunggay to solve the various nutritional needs of the country, particularly of children

Malunggay, which grows from the moringa tree (scientific name Moringa oleifera), is the “miracle vegetable” that many scientists are raving about. On its own, malunggay is packed with an unbelievable amount of nutrients seven times the vitamin C found in oranges, four times the vitamin A found in carrots, four times the calcium found in milk, three times the potassium found in bananas, and two times the protein found in yogurt.

Secura Corporation, a local organization led by its president Danny Manayaga, is dedicated to the production of malunggay to solve the various nutritional needs of the country, particularly of children. This is done in partnership with the Department of Health.
According to Manayaga, three out of 10 children have poor nutritional status. “The solution to this would be a change in dietary patterns so that children consume more fortified food. This is a problem that can be answered by one vegetable — malunggay. It has all the nutrients they need to keep healthy and fit,” he states.
He recommends fortifying instant food with this miracle vegetable as the best way of easing malunggay into the Filipino diet. “Instant noodles are a great way to begin incorporating malunggay with everyday food. People love instant noodles, and they eat this all the time because it’s easy to prepare and very tasty. There are already some smaller companies in Baguio and Bicol who have tried something like this, but I feel that we are only touching the tip of the iceberg,” Manayaga explains.
The vegetable can also be used to fortify other food varieties such as pan de sal and, yes, even ice cream.

Written by Philippine Star

Common names for Moringa.

2009-11-16T23:27:00.000-08:00

In ancient times, Moringa was well known and used in traditional societies around the world. This was long before people had the means of instant communication we have today. So, people should have discovered Moringa independent in all these places and have found great value in it. This fact alone suggests that Moringa is worth investigating, and here are some of the many common names for Moringa.

Other names for Moringa in English include:"Drumstick tree", from the appearance of the long, slender, triangular seed pods."Horseradish tree", from the taste of the leaves, which can serve as a rough substitute for horseradish."Ben oil tree", from the oil derived from the seeds
The Tagalog name in the Philippines - Malunggay - is also phonetically similar to "Moringa". In Ilocano, another Filipino language, it is called Marungay. It is called Kamunggay in Bisay
The Chinese name of the Moringa, pronounced "la mu" in Mandarin and "lat mok" in Cantonese, means "spicy (hot) wood", and is reminiscent of the English name "horseradish tree".
In Myanmar (Burma) it is called "Dandalun". Fruit meat of drum sticks including young seeds,is good for soup. Young leaves can either be fried with shrimps or put as topping in fish soup. Dandalun leaves soup is said to increase urination and thus good for kidney. It is widely in Myanmar traditional medicine.
In Zarma (Niger), it is called Windi Bundu which means, loosely, "fencepost wood", a reference to its use as live fencing. The leaves are the primary part eaten, and in fact are so common that the Zarma word "kopto", or "leaf", is synonymous with cooked Moringa leaves.
In Marathi, it is called Shevga.
In Malayalam, it is known as Muringa, and the fruit is called Muringakaya or Muringakka.
In Tamil, the tree is called Murungai Maram and the fruit is called Murungai-kaai
In Kannada, it is known as Nuggekayee.
In Telugu,it is known as Munagachettu,and the fruit is called Munagakaya.
In Konkani, it is called Mushinga Saang.
In Sinhalese, it is called Murunga.
In Gujarati, it is called Saragvo.
In Hausa language, it is called Zogale.
In Oriya, it is called Sajana or Sujuna.
In Nicaragua, the plant is referred to as Marango.
In Bengali, it is called Sojne danta.
In Assamese, it is called Sojina.
In Punjabi, it is called Surajana.
In Hindi, it is called sahjan.
In Nepali, it is known as Sajiwan or Swejan.
In Guyana, it is called Sijan
In Thai, it is called "ma rum".
In Haiti, the Moringa is called the benzolive (or benzolivier).
In Indonesian, the Moringa is called kelor (kalor in Malay).
In Tulu, it is known as Noorggaee.
In Javanese, it is called limaran.
In Mooré (Burkina Faso), it is called "Arzan Tiiga," which means "tree of paradise".
In Dioula (Côte D'Ivoire), it is called "Arjanayiiri".
In Mauritius, the leaves are called "Brède Mouroum", while the drumstick part is known as "Bâton Mouroum".

Source: www.wikipedia.com

The various uses of Moringa.

2009-11-16T07:49:00.000-08:00

All parts of the plant can be used in a variety of ways. Moringa is full of nutrients and vitamins and is good in your food as well as in the food of your animals. Moringa helps to clean the dirty water and is a useful source of medicines. It provides a lot of green material that is useful when using systems of alleys. There are many other uses and these will all be described as follows:

Human Food: All food Moringa has a high nutritional value. You can eat theleaves, especially the young shoots, small fruits, flowers, roots, and in some species the shell. The leaves are low in fat and carbohydrates and rich in minerals, iron and vitamin B.

Fertilizer: The seed cake, which is produced by pressing the seeds to extract oil, can not be eaten, because it contains harmful substances. However, it contains high levels of protein and makes a good fertilizer for agricultural use.

Animal fodder: Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and birds navigate in the bark, leaves and seeds of Moringa. The best diet for pigs is 70% of Moringa, 10% and 20% Leucaena leaves others. It 'possible that their diet must be 100% Moringa, but must not exceed 30% Leucaena. Meat from pigs fed this diet is lean. If the trees are destined for animal feed is useful to prune to 4m high, but if not, should be pruned to 6 m for crops for human consumption can be easily accomplished.

Water purifying: It can be used as a simple and quick to clean the dirty water of the River. Powder is combined with solids in water and sinks to the bottom. This treatment also removes 90-99% of bacteria in the water. Using Moringa to purify water replaces chemicals like aluminum sulfate, which are dangerous to humans and the environment, and are expensive.

Natural medicines: The whole world every part of the Moringa tree has been used effectively against various diseases.

Alley cropping: Moringa has great tap root and few lateral roots so that will not compete for nutrients with the crops. It will also add to the nutrients available, which produces the protein leaves many rich. They grow very quickly, but do not offer a lot of shade because of the structure of their leaves. Are also very good at recovery of marginal lands

Living fence: Planted as a hedge, Moringa provides protection from wind and shadow. It grows very rapidly and plants are planted together will form a barrier that the animals can not go in just 3 months.

Domestic cleaning agent: Crushed leaves are used to clean tools or even the walls.

Natural pesticide: By digging Moringa leaves into the soil before planting, damping off disease (Pythium debaryanum) can be prevented among seedlings.

Fuelwood and other uses: The wood is light and is a good fuel for cooking. However, it is suitable for construction. The bark can be beaten into a fiber that can be used to make rope or carpet and wood produces a blue dye. Wood chips can be used to make a good quality paper. The tree also produces viscous resin, which is used in textile industry.

What is Moringa oleifera??

2009-11-14T21:07:00.000-08:00

Moringa oleifera, known as Moringa, a plant native to North of India, which currently abounds throughout the tropics.The Moringa tree is also called horseradish, legtree and the mother’s best friend. It grows rapidly and reaches up to 12 meters. Bark is gray and thick and looks like cork, scaly patches.It loses its leaves from December to January and start a new growth February-March. Moringa flowers produced when the cream is 8 months the flowering season begins in January and continues until Mars. The fruit ripens from April to June and the portions are triangular cross section, 30 to 50 cm in length and contain fat, black, winged seeds

Moringa is an important food source in many countries. In India, Moringa pods are widely consumed and plantations exist to produce pods for export, fresh and canned for consumers abroad. In West Africa, Moringa oleifera leaves are used to make sauces. Stenopetala Moringa leaves are the staple food of the Konso people in Ethiopia. Studies have shown Moringa oleifera ceases to be an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and protein: perhaps more than any tropical plant. Many programs use Moringa leaves to fight malnutrition and associated diseases.

Moringa seeds contain a cationic polyelectrolyte that has proved effective in treating water as a substitute for aluminum sulphate and other flocculent. There are two advantages to this property:

can be used as a substitute for local production for imported flocculent, thus reducing the cost of foreign exchange reserves of the third world.
Moringa flocculent, unlike aluminum sulphate, is completely biodegradable. This may be particularly attractive to developing countries.

Oil extracted from seeds is an excellent edible vegetable oil and is useful even in the cosmetics industry. A dual use Moringa as a source of oil and flocculant, is possible because the meal after extraction of oil retains ownership of flocculation.

Other applications of Moringa, including use as animal feed, human growth hormone in plants, green manure, and medicine are currently under research.