Moringa Oleifera health benefit, use of leaves and plant oil for medical purposes

Moringa Oleifera is a tree that grows well in tropical and subtropical areas, even in very poor soil. It is widely cultivated in Africa, Central and South America, Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, Malaysia and the Philippines. The Moringa tree is slender, with drooping branches, and can reach heights of 10 meters. However, it is often trimmed down every year to about three feet tall so the leaves and fruit pods can be easily reached. Almost every part of the Moringa tree is edible, from the green fruit pods (known as "drumsticks" and compared to asparagus in taste), to the flowers, leaves and tree bark. The leaves can even be powdered and stored for many months with no loss of nutritional value. The leaves, seeds, bark, sap, roots, oil and flowers of Moringa are all part of traditional medicines in several countries.

Nutritional composition
Moringa has more Vitamin C than oranges, more calcium than milk, more Vitamin A than carrots, more potassium than bananas, and more protein than yogurt! The protein provided by Moringa is a complete protein, containing all the essential amino acids - which is very rare in plant foods. Moringa is also a great source of magnesium, selenium, zinc, polyphenol antioxidants, and B vitamins, not to mention being one of the best known sources of chlorophyll.
   Moringa also contains zeatin, which is a special plant compound that promotes the healthy division and growth of cells, as well as delaying cell aging. This zeatin supports the very cells of the body, which may help maintain healthy skin and eyesight - and Moringa contains zeatin in quantities many of times higher than any other plant!

Moringa oleifera health benefit
Among the many other benefits of Moringa is the potential to support the digestive system and promote a healthy immune system. Also, it may help in maintaining energy and mental clarity, while supporting the body's overall well-being. Perhaps this herb may be helpful in Alzheimer's disease.

Alteration of brain monoamines & EEG wave pattern in rat model of Alzheimer's disease & protection by Moringa oleifera.
Indian J Med Res. 2008 Dec; Ganguly R, Guha D. S. N. Pradhan Centre for Neurosciences, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
Moringa oleifera has been shown to exert its effect in CNS by altering the brain monoamines. The present study aims to see whether chronic oral treatment of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves can alter the brain monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin) in distinct areas of brain in rat model of AD. Our results showed that brain monoamines were altered discreetly in different brain areas after colchicine infusion in brain. After treatment with Moringa oleifera, leaf extract the monoamine levels of brain regions were restored to near control levels. Our findings indicated that Moringa oleifera might have a role in providing protection against AD in rat model by altering brain menoamine levels and electrical activity.

Tamarindus indica L. and Moringa oleifera M. extract administration ameliorates fluoride toxicity in rabbits.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2009 Nov; Ranjan R, Swarup D, Patra RC, Chandra V. Division of Medicine, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243 122, India.
Aqueous extracts of T. indica fruit pulp (100 mg/kg body weight) and M. oleifera seeds (50 mg/kg body wight) orally once daily for 90 days lowered plasma fluoride concentrations in rabbits receiving fluorinated drinking water (200 mg NaF/ Liter water). Cortical indices and metaphysial width in animals receiving extracts also revealed beneficial effects of plant extracts. Changes in plasma biochemistry suggested less hepatic and renal damages in animals receiving plant extracts along with fluorinated water in comparison to that receiving fluorinated water alone. Preliminary results revealed these plant extracts have some potential to mitigate fluoride toxicity.

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