published in the magazine "Paracelsus", 8/VI 2009 (page 49-51) Deutsch Español

Moringa: the “Miracle Tree”

Brain and bones, nerves and me-tabolism may be regularized with the leaves of the “horseradish tree” Moringa oleifera. Actually this old Ayurvedic healing plant has been re-discovered as an ideal food supplement.

Von Ulrich Arndt

More than 300 diseases, from debility and high blood pressure to osteoporosis and diabetes, may be treated with the “miracle tree”. In Ayurvedic medicine its healing power has been known for millennia. The leaves are a natural and extraordinarily versatile multi-vitamin and mineral concentrate. The seeds free water from bacteria and viruses and supply cosmetic oil, and the fruits serve as ingredients for curry mixtures. “Moringa oleifera” is the name of the tree which is also called the “miracle tree” because of its manifold effectiveness. Depending on the region it is well-known as horseradish tree, drumstick tree or ben oil tree, too.
Originally, this tree comes from the Himalayan region in North West India, but today it also grows worldwide in the tropical and subtropical regions of earth in Africa, Arabia, South-East Asia and the Caribbean Islands. In the Indian Bangalore region it has been cultivated for decades. In Eastern Africa, where it is especially used as a natural remedy to fight malnourishment and nutrition deficiency, there are also first cultivated areas. In the leaves of the Moringa tree all essential amino acids and fatty acids are found as well as a large scale of vitamins and minerals. As this tree especially grows well in those countries on earth where many people suffer from hunger its purposeful use may help to alleviate states of deficiencies. In this respect “Terre des Hommes” employees report that children of a project in Zimbabwe can be strengthened significantly through 3 tablespoons of Moringa powder per week. At the same time the exportation of the leaf powder as a food supplement to the west offers new income possibilities for the village community. Therefore, it is incomprehensible that the benefit of the Moringa tree is still mostly or widely unknown.

Ideal Food Supplement

Prof. Klaus Becker from the Tropical Center of the Hohenheim University (Germany) emphasizes “The Moringa tree is extremely helpful for diet-related diseases – both for under nutrition and Western nutrition deficiency and malnutrition. It is a phenomenon among the nutrition and healing plants”. So only 1 teaspoon taken per day covers the daily requirement of important trace elements; i.e., iron 41%, manganese 55%, chrome to more than 100%, boron 50%, and for minerals such as calcium 30% and magnesium 15%. 1 tablespoon of Moringa leaf powder (=15 g) contains the daily requirement of vitamin B1 of 35%, B2 of more than 200%, B6 of approximately 20%, B7 of approximately 46%, B9 (folic acid) of 39%, vitamin E of 120% and beta carotin 50%. Furthermore Moringa also contains all essential amino acids such as leucin (30% of daily requirement) which is recommended for weakness, tiredness and stress, tyrosine (22% of daily requirement) and tryptophan (25% of daily requirement) which are said to have a positive influence on disturbances of sleep and negative sentiments, and theoronin (36% of daily requirement) supporting the immune system.
Furthermore, Moringa contains many other important vital forces such as the plant hormone zeatin, an important regulating factor for the cells and a strong antioxidant protecting and regenerating the cells. Indeed, zeatin is found in many plants; however, mostly in quantities less than one microgram per gram whereas the Morigina leaf contains more than the hundredfold per gram.

Underestimated Trace Element Bore

The high content of manganese, chrome and the rare bore is in a similar way extraordinary. Among others manganese is important for healthy joints and bones and chrome plays a central significant role for metabolism and undo stress. Bore was not counted among the group of vital trace elements yet; however, in the past years its significance has been more and more recognized: bore is basic for the building of serine – an amino acid that occurs in nearly all proteins of the human organism. Bore plays a dominant role for the calcium, manganese and phosphor balance. In medicine it is successfully used for osteoporosis. It reduces oxidation caused by stress, hinders the cell division rate of cells without differentiation (such as cancer cells) and it is the trace element which can normally be found in the brain more than any other. Fatally, however, it is being superseded from aluminium. Only one aluminium molecule supersedes three bore molecules. But aluminium is able to restrain the nerve cells, damage the kidneys and weaken the immune system. In case of Alzheimer’s disease a correlation with high aluminium concentration is being discussed. Today it is well-known that bore serves as a neutron catcher for all organisms and that it is involved in the photon and quanta transmission of the cells and thus at the information transfer to the brain. Persons who can see the aura perceived a direct relation between the bore contents in the body and the intensity of the aura. However, elementary bore is poisonous. Therefore, only plants with a high bore content may be used as a food supplement –most of all Moringa leaves showing the highest contents of 31 milligrams per 100 grams. Only quinces (approx. 10 mg per 100 g) show a higher quantity of organic bore contents.

Water Cleaning with Moringa

In modern medicine extracts of Moringa olifeira are mainly used because of their balancing effect on the nerve and hormone system and for strengthening the immune defences. But everyone can use the surprising effect of the Moringa tree in the form of leaf powder. The powder may be added to soups, meals and to cereals. It may be drunk as an infusion or taken in capsules. In an infusion the taste of Moringa is a little similar to stinging nettle. When taking the pure powder the slight spiciness due to the contained mustard oils is more distinguishable. This spicy taste as such is an attractive seasoning for meals.
In 2007 the Moringa plant had a TV appearance in the ARD (1st German Programme, “Die große Show der Naturwunder” – ‘The Great Show of Miracles of Natures’ - by Ranga Yogeshwar) because of another amazing characteristic: 1 tenth gram of Moringa seed is enough to free 1 litre of water from bacteria. This is one of the many “miracles” which leveraged this tree to its honorific title.

Literature:
Book: Bruhns/Zgraggen: “Der Wunderbaum Moringa ”, (The Miracle Tree Moringa), Hesper Publishing House, ISBN 978-3-9812258-1-4