Stopping Malnutrition In The Tropics With The Moringa Tree - Brief Article

WIN News, Spring, 2000

Contact: CHURCH WORLD SERVICES. 28606 Phillips St., P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515 Rolanda Hughes. Programs and Resources

"The Moringa tree likes sunshine and can withstand drought conditions. It grows quickly from seed or cuttings, can reach a height of 12 feet within the first year, and regenerates itself even after the most severe pruning.

Two harvests of seed pods can be produced in one year (a mature tree can produce 1,000 pods annually), and the Moringa leaves tend to appear toward the end of the dry season when few other sources of green leafy vegetables are available.

The Moringa tree has many uses. The leaves and the young green pods can be eaten like other vegetables. The leaves can be prepared similarly to spinach and are low in fats and carbohydrates, but contain a very high content of protein, calcium, minerals, iron, and vitamins A, B, and when raw, vitamin C. As a source of nutrients and vitamins, Moringa leaves rank among the best of perennial tropical vegetables.

Moringa leaves contain over three times the amount of iron and three times the amount of vitamin A found in spinach, four times the amount of calcium found in cow's milk which is especially important for women.

Malnutrition in its various forms (kwashiorkor, beriberi, anemia, scurvy) is a major factor in the often high rates of infant mortality, for instance, in West Africa[ldots]But there just may be a local, sustainable solution to the problem of malnutrition and associated diseases that is within reach of everyone in the region[ldots]the Moringa tree!

The tree has many names. In English, it is known as the Ben Oil Tree; in Swahili as Mzunze or Mlonge; Malunggay in the Philippines; Bensolive in Haiti; Horseradish or Drumstrick tree in India; Yoruba in Nigeria; in Senegal, it is known as Nebeday, which is thought to mean 'Never Die,' because the tree is extraordinarily hearty.

Eight ounces of fresh Moringa leaves contain the daily requirement of vitamin A for up to ten people. The addition of two raw Moringa leaves to a child's daily food or mixing two or three teaspoons of dried Moringa leaf powder into sauces provides significant protection against vitamin, protein and calcium deficiencies to children in high malnutrition risk areas.

For both infants and nursing mothers, Moringa pods can be an important source of fiber, potassium, copper, iron, choline, vitamin C, and all the essential amino acids. Moringa flowers can be fried and are said to have the taste and texture of mushrooms. The flowers may also be used to make a tea that is useful for treating colds.

Seeds in the green pods can be prepared in the same way as green peas, or they can be roasted and eaten like peanuts. The taste of young pods has been compared to asparagus. They can also be sliced up and cooked. When the pods turn brown, the seeds can be crushed to obtain a high-grade oil, comparable to olive oil. The oil can be used for cooking, making soap, for burning in lamps, and for treating skin infections like scabies[ldots]"

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Moringa tree grows in most African countries, also in the Caribbean and Central America. A list of the local names of the trees and countries where they grow is included in the booklet,

"THE MIRACLE TREE - MORINGA OLEIFERA: NATURAL NUTRITION FOR THE TROPICS" by Lowell J. Fuglie, published by the Church World Service - address above - or contact Church World Service, West Africa Office: Lowell J. Fuglie, 12 Rue Felix Faure, B.P. 3822, Dakar, Senegal; Fax: 011-221-821-63 84; e-mail: fuglie@telecomplus.sn.