The miracle tree: moringa oleifera, also known as the horseradish tree, offers many benefits for health and beauty. Here's how to take it and how to use it in the kitchen.
Used for centuries, moringa oleifera, also known as the horseradish tree, is a plant widely used in food, cosmetics and various supplements. It has Indian origins and is extensively found in tropical and equatorial regions.
The plant can reach four or five metres in height, but given suitable and very fertile soil, moringa oleifera can reach ten metres. It tolerates water scarcity well, as well as cold spells, which must however be absolutely brief, otherwise the plant will bear little fruit.
The leaves of moringa oleifera are extremely distinctive: green, robust and, with their richness in vitamins and minerals, they are the most interesting part of the plant from the point of view of its beneficial properties. The vitamin C content far exceeds that of the orange, and the levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and several B vitamins are also notable. Among the minerals, potassium stands out, alongside all essential amino acids and a good quantity of antioxidant compounds. The amounts of iron and selenium are also significant.
Highly protein-rich, the leaves are consumed in abundance as food — eaten raw in salads, for example, they have a pleasantly slightly spicy flavour, or they can be cooked like any common leafy green vegetable.
It is precisely because of their nutritional power that moringa oleifera leaves are recommended as an energising food both during pregnancy and breastfeeding, especially in contexts where financial constraints prevent expectant mothers from accessing other forms of supplementation, and in all situations where the body needs extra support.
The plant also yields entirely edible flowers, fruits, seeds and, in moderation, roots. The flowers are added to salads; the fruits, also known as "drumsticks", are boiled to make soups with aphrodisiac properties; while the seeds, which can be eaten boiled or toasted, yield an oil with a very pleasant, slightly sweet flavour, perfectly suited to human consumption as a raw dressing — even on a daily basis — with the particular quality that it does not go rancid. After the oil is extracted, the residual portion is not discarded as waste but, given its high protein content, is recommended for both human and animal consumption.
The honey obtained from the flowers is also very pleasant. The use of the root, however, must be moderate, as it contains an alkaloid that appears to interfere with nerve transmission. It is therefore advisable to limit its consumption to use as a flavouring.
Rich in omega 3-6-9, which are an important aid in maintaining the health of cell membranes and therefore the entire body, moringa oleifera is useful for activating or strengthening the immune system, keeping blood pressure, blood glucose levels and hormonal levels at their optimum.
Its digestive properties and regulatory action on the digestive tract should not be underestimated, nor should its — albeit modest — ability to stimulate metabolism and facilitate weight loss.
An excellent energiser, it can be supplemented during periods of particular physical fatigue, convalescence and all situations of heightened exhaustion, including mental fatigue.
It is also used as a febrifuge and for colds, even persistent ones. Noteworthy are its anti-inflammatory action and its ability to promote restful sleep.
We can supplement with moringa in powder form — perhaps the most widely used form — dissolving it in any type of drink, such as fruit juices, smoothies and cold-pressed juices. A higher concentration is found in tablets, for when a faster and more pronounced effect is desired.
Moringa oleifera is also used topically in creams for the face and body, capable of making skin firmer and of combating even severe forms of acne. In this case, in addition to external treatment, an internal supportive treatment should also be considered. The oil can furthermore be added to creams to enhance their nourishing, toning and antioxidant effect.
It is also widely used in cases of psoriasis, both of the skin and the scalp, combined here too with internal supplementation using powder or tablets aimed at detoxifying the body.
Beyond the interference with nerve transmission that heavy use of the root can cause, no other contraindications appear to exist, although the advice is always to consult a specialist for guidance and dosages, which must be rigorously tailored to individual needs.