Moringa Oleifera: The Miracle Tree Natasha Adams, Valerie Alaimo, Brian Douglas, Diane Luce DFM 655.

Moringa Oleifera: The Miracle Tree

Natasha Adams, Valerie Alaimo,Brian Douglas,Diane Luce

DFM 655

The Tree of Many Names Arbol de Perlas The drumstick tree The horseradish tree (isothiocyanate) Marengo, Mlonge, Maluungay, Kelor Sohajna Shagara al Rauwaq (“tree for purifying”) Benzolive tree The Miracle Tree: because every part of the

plant can be used medicinally.

History Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians used Ben oil for

perfume, skin lotion, protection from the elements

Egyptians ate leaves and used seeds to purify water

Found in the tomb of Maiherperi in the Valley of the Kings (1427-1392 BC)

Brought to West Indies in 1800’s; used as smokeless lamp oil and for salads

Traditional Uses India: anemia, anxiety, asthma, blood

impurities, bronchitis, cholera, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, GI disorders, ear infections, diarrhea, hypertension, headache, arthritis, scurvy, TB, sore throat, psoriasis, liver disease.

Malaysia and Puerto Rico: intestinal worms Philippines: Anemia, glandular swelling,

food Guatemala: skin infections and sores

Protein Powerhouse The flowers, leaves, seeds and pods can

be eaten in curries, stews, salads or made into tea or powder.

The flowers and leaves contain all of the essential amino acids

The plant also contains antioxidants, plant esters, beneficial fatty acids and pterogospermin; a powerful antibacterial

Phytochemicals Quercetin: found in roots and flowers

Kaempherol: lowers cholesterol

Vitamins A,B,C,E

Zeatin: also found in corn

Caffeoylquinic acid: also found in artichoke leaves and green propolis. Flu Fighter?

Phytochemicals Beta-Sitosterol: plant ester known to

help reduce blood pressure Highly concentrated in leaves which can

be dried and crushed into powder or eaten raw/stewed in curry, salad, soup or tea

Seeds Ben Oil: High Oleic Acid, three types of Vit E, used for hair care, skin care and machine lubricant Anti-microbial. Effective v. S. Aureus,

Pseudomonas Aeriginosus Can be toasted or eaten green like peas

Water Treatment Women in Sudan use

seedcakes to treat Nile River water

Reduces turbidity 92-98%!!

RNA protein inside seed flocculates gram+/- bacteria & inhibit bacterial growth

Amino acids inside seed bind to metals like Cd

Modern Uses for Moringa Got a snakebite? (Philippines)

How about leprosy?(India)

Suffer from hysteria?(Puerto Rico)

Can Moringa cure Malnutrition?

Modern Uses For Moringa Backed by Evidence Combats malnutrition for millions Bridges gap in regions of scarcity Nutrient deficiencies among children/pregnant

and nursing mothers Increases lactation Supplements intake of vitamins A, B, C, E, iron,

calcium and protein Increases intake of antioxidants Eaten as fresh leaves or as dried powder Clinics dispense in rural areas of Africa, Senegal, Somalia, Kenya

Evidence continued…. Higher infant and early childhood mortality

rates in developing countries, especially arid regions

Moringa helping turn the tide in rural communities

Children benefit most Higher birth rates, improved health

outcomes Improves learning, bone structure, vision,

vitality Decreases incidents of anemia

Antisickling Properties Nigeria: 2012 Extracts of seed and flower Dosage 20 mg/ml Significant reversal of sickled

erythrocytes 24 million Nigerians are carriers of Sickled Cell gene 2.4 million have Sickled Cell Disease

Antidiarrheal Properties India, 2011 Study involved mice Efficacy of Moringa was compared to

Loperamide (Imodium) Dosage 500 mg/k had significant results Magnesium Sulfate induced diarrhea Moringa 90% vs 91% protection Loperamide

Chemopreventive Properties by Reducing Tumor Multiplicity India, 2003 Moringa oleifera drumsticks (fruit) Study involved mice Dosage: 125 m/k significant increase hepatic

cytochrome levels Dosage 250 mg/k reduced Tumor replication

to .75 per mouse vs 5.17 in control group Hypothesized that indol-3-carbanol reduces cancer incidence

Antibacterial Properties Against Dental Plaque Bacteria Growth India, 2011 Oral bacteria cause caries, periodontal disease,

and serious pathogenic potential Dosage 100 – 500 mg/ml Testing in Vitro Significant Antibacterial Inhibition against growth a variety of Gram-positive oral bacteria, including S. mutans, S. aureus,

Antimicrobial & Antifungal Properties as Phytomedicine India, 2011 Moringa oleifera seed and leaf Dosage 15 mg/ml and 50-100 ul/dish In vitro agar medium Inhibits bacterial strains: Staph a, Vibrio

cholera, E coli, Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus subtilis, Fusariam solani

Inhibits fungal strains: Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp, and Mucor sp.

The Science University of Calcutta, India: Studied the effects

of Moringa leaf extract preventing early liver injury and restoring antioxidant levels in mice fed a high-fat diet

Results indicated that Moringa has both preventative and curative properties

University of Ghana (2011): Studied toxicity potentials of Moringa leaf extract powder given to rats at supra-supplementation levels

Found that levels of 3,000mg/kg body weight is genotoxic and levels of <1,000mg/kg body weight are safe

Negative Side Effects Leaves and Stems contain B-sitosterol: can

cause some side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, or constipation

Flowers contain Quercetin: has been safely used in doses of <500mg, twice/day for 12 weeks. Long-term, High-dose still needs more research. Safely used to promote breast milk production

Bark and Stem can cause uterine contractions and chemicals in the root cause fertilized egg not to be able to attach to the lining of the uterine wall. Used as a permanent birth control in some areas on India

21Century Science Supports Thousands of Years of Folklore Peer-Reviewed Research Beginning to Validate Centuries of Ayurvedic Practices Complementary & Alternative Medicine Health

Benefits Recognized – Especially Antibiotic Non-Peer Reviewed Research Would Benefit

From Rigorous Scientific Evaluation & Placebo Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trials

Problem: Herbal Supplements Not Regulated

In Conclusion: Moringa Oleifera has enormous potential

as a nutriceutical and functional food It could help to alleviate the problems

caused by food insecurity and non-potable water

More research is necessary