Moringa Oleifera (Miracle tree)

Moringa known as a “miracle tree,” is fast growing, drought tolerant plant native to India and now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including parts of California. It could be grown in USDA zones 9b and warmer and is successfully cultivated in the Central Valley by Hmong American farmers due to its adaptability to hot, dry climates and low water requirements. Moringa can be direct seeded, or nursery raised, with seeds germinating in 7 to 14 days. It could be grown for leaves and/or pods and spaced 3 to 6 feet apart accordingly. Regular pruning leads to more bushy growth with increased leaf yield whereas no pruning results in more pod production. Moringa is cold sensitive and therefore grown in containers or as an annual in colder climates. In California, winter frosts could kill the moringa and therefore it is cut back to one foot and covered with plastic during the winters. It could regrow from the stump when temperature rises in the spring.

This miracle tree is grown for its highly nutritious pods and leaves, rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Moringa has 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 17 times more calcium than milk, 9 times more protein than yogurt, 15 times more potassium than bananas, and 25 times more iron than spinach (Rockwood et al., 2013). The rich nutrient composition makes it a key ingredient in the nutrition programs addressing malnutrition, particularly among infants and lactating mothers. Almost all parts of the tree are edible or have medicinal uses such as: leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried and powdered as a superfood; pods are used in cooking; seeds can be eaten raw, roasted, or pressed for oil; and the bark, roots, and flowers are traditionally used to treat conditions such as ulcers, toothache, hypertension, helminthiasis and paralysis (Pareek et al., 2023). Moringa has potential use in pharmaceuticals due to its antioxidant content, which supports wound healing, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties (Pareek et al., 2023). It is also recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities. As noted by Gopalakrishnan et al. (2016), moringa stands out as one of the most affordable and reliable sources of good nutrition.

With its ability to grow in marginal soils and under limited water conditions, combined with its numerous health benefits, moringa represents a sustainable and valuable crop for both food and medicine, especially in regions facing climate stress and nutritional challenges.

References:

Gopalakrishnan, L., Doriya, K., & Kumar, D. S. (2016). Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness, 5(2), 49–56.

Pareek, A., Pant, M., Gupta, M. M., Kashania, P., Ratan, Y., Jain, V., Pareek, A., & Chuturgoon, A. A. (2023). Moringa oleifera: An updated comprehensive review of its pharmacological activities, ethnomedicinal, phytopharmaceutical formulation, clinical, phytochemical, and toxicological aspects. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2098.

Rockwood, J. L., Anderson, B. G., & Casamatta, D. A. (2013). Potential uses of Moringa oleifera and an examination of antibiotic efficacy conferred by M. oleifera seed and leaf extracts using crude extraction techniques available to underserved indigenous populations. International Journal of Phytotherapy Research, 3(2), 61–71.