The tree is unattractive. It is gnarly and does not have a shady crown. The flowers are small and relatively plain in colour. It is often not noticed unless you happen to be an herbalist and/or a Traditional Medicine Practitioner. As unattractive as it may be, this tree can be regarded as one of the most valuable medicinal tree ever discovered. It is an ancient tree that had many medicinal uses and found its roots in many different cultures’ traditional medicine.
Every part of the tree is useful, the leaves, pods, flowers, bark and roots. Except for the roots, the other parts of the tree have been found to be free from toxins and can be eaten or applied. The medicinal goodness of the tree is widely known across some African communities, South Asia, South East Asia and Central America and in countries where the tree flourishes. The most prolific user of the tree are the Indians who use all parts of the tree to treat some 300 types of illness and diseases of which some are listed below.
Some traditional uses of the tree are:
Abortifacient | Anemia | Expelling parasitic worms |
Joint pains & Rheumatism | Asthma | Back Pains |
Cardiac stimulant | Catarrh | Cholera bacterium |
Detoxification | Diabetes | Diarrhea |
Ear infections | Edema | Eye infections |
Glandular swelling | Gonorrhea | Gout |
Boosting Immune System | Intestinal complaints | Intestinal spasm |
Milk production | Muscle diseases | Nutrition & Energy booster |
Relaxation & Sleep | Scurvy | Skin treatment |
Spleen enlargement | Syphilis | Tumors |
Antibiotic | Anti-inflammatory | Blood Pressure |
Bronchitis | Colitis | Dental caries |
Diuretic | Dysentery | Fevers |
Fungus infections | Headache | Hysteria |
Kidney pain | Liver | Prostate & Bladder |
Purgative & Irritant | Sore throat | Sores & skin infections |
Ulcers | Warts |
Many independent research laboratory and universities are now conducting in vivo and animal test to scientifically prove Moringa oleifera’s traditional medicine uses with startling results and many of these have been reported in the journals to the academic and scientific community.
