Moringa Claims of Traditional Medicine
There are to many Medicinal qualities of moringa, in many countries have used Moringa leaves as traditional medicine for common ailments. Clinical studies have begun to suggest that at least some of these claims are valid. With such great medicinal value being suggested by traditional medicine, further clinical testing is very much needed at this time. If studies conclude that even some of the claims are correct, these leaves could become an invaluable resource for people in areas where other forms of treatment are scarce.
Guatemala
skin infections, sores
India
anemia, anxiety, asthma, blackheads, blood impurities, bronchitis, catarrh, chest congestion, cholera, conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, eye and ear
India cont
l blood pressure, hysteria, pain in joints, pimples, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, scurvy, semen deficiency, sore throat, sprain, tuberculosis
Malaysia
intestinal worms
Nicaragua
headache, skin infections, sores
Philippines
anemia, glandular swelling, lactation
Puerto Rico
intestinal worms
Senegal
diabetes, pregnancy, skin infections, sores
Venezuela
intestinal worms colitis, diarrhea, dropsy, dysentery, gonorrhea, jaundice,
Other Countries
malaria, stomach ulcers, tumor, urinary disorders, wounds (Jed W. Fahey, 2005)
Ancient and Traditional Uses of Moringa
Following is a chart from the “Johns Hopkins research paper” showing the traditional use of Moringa for a wide variety of diseases and maladies.
NOTE: Plant parts are given by the first letters capitalized: (L) Leaves, (F) Flowers, (S) Seeds, (P) Pods (drumsticks), (R) Roots, (B) Bark, (G) Gum, (O) Oil (from seeds).
The extensive references are in “References” at the back of the book.
Condition/Effect
Plant Part
References
ANT Antimicrobial /
Biocidal
LFSPRBGO
8, 13, 19, 24, 27, 31, 34, 64, 68, 100, 104, 114, 115, 126, 140, 151 160, 161,162
Bacterial
LFS
25, 26, 55, 63, 77 -81, 149
Dental
Caries/Toothache
RBG
47
Infection
LF
47
Syphilis
G
47
Typhoid
G
47
Urinary Tract Infection
L
141
Fungal/ Mycoses
O
111
VIRAL
Common cold
FRB
47
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)
L
104
Herpes Simplex Virus
L
84
(HSV-1)
HIV-AIDS
L
1, 124
Warts
S
47
Parasites
Dranunculiasis (guinea-worm)
L
36
Helminths
LFP
47
Schistosomes
Other / Not Attributed to a Specific Pathogen
S
113
Bronchitis
L
47
Earache
G
47
External Sores/Ulcers
LFRB
15
Fever
LRGS
47
Hepatic
L
6
Skin (Dermal)
OS
15
Throat Infection
F
47
Water treatment
S
11, 50, 75, 86, 169
AST Asthma
RG
47
CAN Cancer Therapy Protection
LFPBS
12, 17, 28, 39, 45, 59, 61, 64, 104, 115
Anti-tumor
LFSB
45,48,57,61,87
Prostate
L
47,48
Radioprotective
L
132
Skin
P
12
CIR Circulatory/Endocrine Disorders
LFSPR
56, 93
Anti-anemic
L
47, 125
Anti-hypertensive
LP
40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 53, 83, 137
Cardiotonic
R
47
Diabetes/hypoglycemia
LP
6, 45, 71, 87, 101, 167
Diuretic
LFRG
6, 14, 62
Thyroid
L
153
Tonic
F
47
Hepatorenal
LR
93, 120
DET Detoxification
BO
76, 135, 166
Antipyretic
SO
148
Purgative
O
47
Snakebite
B
47
Scorpion-bite
B
47
DIG Digestive Disorders For treatment of:
LSRBG
53
Digestif
B
47
Dysentery
LG
47
Flatulence
R
47
Ulcer / Gastritis
LS
3, 115, 136
INF Inflammation
LFSPRG
14, 28, 35, 45, 62, 64, 68, 110, 131
160, 161
Rheumatism
LFSPRG
28
Joint Pain
P
47
Edema
R
47
Arthritis
S
47
IMM Immunity
SO
69
Immune-stimulant
S
69
Immune-stimulant
S
69
Lupus
0
28
NER Nervous Disorders
LFRBGO
58, 59, 62, 96
Anti-spasmodic
SR
14, 53
Epilepsy
RB
47
Hysteria
FRBO
47
Headache
LRBG
47
NUT Nutritional
LSBO
6, 7, 18, 22, 28, 30, 31, 32, 46, 47,
48, 51, 65, 66, 67, 70, 92, 102,
112, 116, 133, 163
Antinutritional factors
B
88, 89, 90, 110, 127, 128, 139,
156, 164, 165
Antioxidant
LO
110, 147
Carotenoids
L
29, 105, 152
CEnergy
LSO
85
Goitrogen
S
2
Iron deficiency
LS
16
Oil quality
O
5, 98, 110, 158, 159
Protein
LS
47
Vitamin/Mineral deficiency
LS
7, 9, 54, 56, 85, 119
REP Reproductive
LFPRBGO
44, 53, 64, 121, 122
Abortifacient
FRBG
106, 107, 155
Aphrodisiac
RB
47
Lactation Enhancer
L
47
Prostate function
O
47
SKI Skin Disorders
LRSG
160, 161
Antiseptic
L
47
Astringent
R
47
Pyodermia
S
15
Rubefacient
RG
47
Vesicant
R
47
GEN General Disorders / Condition
LFSPRBO
4, 6, 8, 20, 21, 45, 48, 64, 66, 67, 68 73, 74, 82, 91, 92, 99, 102, 103, 109 116, 117, 118, 123, 125, 128, 129
130, 134, 150, 163
Bladder
OS
47
Catarrh
LF
47
Gout
RO
47
Hepatamegaly
R
47
Lactation
L
47
Low Back / Kidney Pain
R
47
Scurvy
LSRBO
47
Splenomegaly
R
47
“Tonic”
LFPSO
47
Many of the original citations have been collected by Lowell J. Fuglie, [and can be found in his excellent treatise entitled The Miracle Tree, (47)] and by Manuel Palada (116), Julia Morton (102), and Trees for Life (157). Most other compendiums in recent publications or on commercial websites
appear to be highly derivative of these seminal works.
“Moringa shows great promise as a tool to help overcome some of the most severe problems in the developing world—malnutrition, deforestation, impure water and poverty. The tree does best in the dry regions where these problems are worst.”
-Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and United Nations Ambassador 6
“Among the wide range of Green Leafy Vegetables, Moringa is the richest source of Beta-Carotene
[vitamin A], apart from providing other important micronutrients.”
-Dr. Kamala Krishnaswamy, former Director, Indian Council
Of Medical ,Research, Hyderabad7
“Although few people have ever heard of it today, Moringa could soon become one of the world’s most valuable plants, at least in humanitarian terms.”
-Noel Vietmeyer, US National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. 8
credit: Jed W. Fahey, Sc.D. , is a nutritional biochemist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.