Saturday, April 3, 2010

Moringa Oleifera Leaves Nutritional Values

Moringa Nutritional Values

Food GroupMoringa Oleifera has very high nutrition values, this positions the plant high in the table of the "Healthy Edible Plants & Vegetables" as an important source of Vitamins & Minerals essential for our health. In the present time many aid programs & NGO in Africa are training and assisting the local population growing Moringa as an answer to malnutrition, especially in children and breastfeeding mothers due to the effect of milk production and quality. In addition Moringa is being used to feed cattle and live stock to achieve better results in milk production and body mass.

Comparing Moringa Oleifera to other plants and food:

Comparing nutritions of Moringa to other food

Moringa Leaves - Amino Acids

(All values are per 100 grams of edible portion.)

Fresh Leaves

Dried Leaves

Arginine

406.6 mg

1,325 mg

Histidine

149.8 mg

613 mg

Isoleucine

299.6 mg

825 mg

Leucine

492.2 mg

1,950 mg

Lysine

342.4 mg

1,325 mg

Methionine

117.7 mg

350 mg

Phenylalinine

310.3 mg

1,388 mg

Threonine

117.7 mg

1,188 mg

Tryptophan

107 mg

425 mg

Valine

374.5 mg

1,063 mg

Moringa Leaves - Vitamins and Minerals

(All values are per 100 grams of edible portion.)

Fresh Leaves

Dried Leaves

Vitamin A (Arginine Carotene)

6.78 mg

18.9 mg

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)

0.06 mg

2.64 mg

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

0.05 mg

20.5 mg

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

0.8 mg

8.2 mg

Vitamin C

220 mg

17.3 mg

Vitamin E

448 mg

Calcium

440 mg

2,003 mg

Calories

92 cal

329 cal

Carbohydrates

12.5 g

41.2 g

Copper

0.07 mg

0.57 mg

Fat

1.70 g

5.2 g

Fibers

0.90 g

19.2 g

Iron

0.85 mg

28.2 mg

Magnesium

42 mg

368 mg

Phosphorus

70 mg

204 mg

Potassium

259 mg

1,324 mg

Protein

6.70 g

29.4 g

Zinc

0.16 mg

3.29 mg
















































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Treating Lupus with Moringa Oleifera

Lupus, an inflammatory, autoimmune disease, often affects the joints, skin, blood, and kidneys, and the exact cause of this chronic condition is unknown and cannot be easily defined. Authorities in the medical field indicate that it may result from a combination of factors, such as am individual’s genetic makeup along with certain unknown triggers of the disease, a bit like combining a lighted match and gasoline.

Those recently diagnosed with lupus will want to focus on reducing inflammation and managing the various symptoms that are related to the disease to maintain balance in their lives and avoid depression, panic, and fear.

There are also two essential steps they can take:

  • Learn to avoid flare-ups – Direct sunlight is the most common cause for one, but they may also be triggered by certain skin and scalp products or some medication you are taking. This may mean that you will need to take a vitamin D supplement, and you will also want to discuss all of your medications with your primary care physician.
  • Learn to live an anti-inflammatory lifestyle – This should include moderate exercise on a regular basis, giving up smoking if you are a smoker, following an anti-inflammatory diet, and taking nutritional supplements, especially omega-3s.

Why lupus victims look for alternative medications

The cost of the drugs generally used in treating lupus victims is prohibitive, and there is the possibility of serious side effects as well. Also, while they may alleviate some of the symptoms, research has yet to reveal that they actually hinder the process of the disease or help prevent damage to the organs.

Following an alternative treatment may help the patient cope with lupus or reduce the amount of stress endured by anyone who is dealing with a chronic illness. If the patient’s physician believes that one of the approaches has some merit and no negative factors, it can become part of that individual’s treatment plan, enabling him or to make an informed decision about how to proceed.

How Moringa Oleifera helps lupus patients

3 moringa leavesMoringa (also known as the horseradish tree) is a purely natural extract found in tropical regions that has been widely used in the East as a medication for centuries. It is also considered to be much safer to use than the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are often prescribed for lupus patients, including Voltaren, Kaspo, Adoil, and others. The various side effects of these drugs include the risk of kidney, circulatory, and digestive problems, just to name a few, increasing the risk of serious medical complications. Moringa, on the other hand, is less toxic than the other remedies,—and at least as effective. moringa is easy to combine with most medication because there have been no adverse reactions to it, and it contains no known impurities.

How Moringa works in the body

The leaves used for making the Moringa extract contain large amounts of anti-inflammatory, anti-toxin, and anti-oxidant elements, and they are also rich in the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that bolster our immune system. Because of the many benefits of Moringa oleifera, the European Union (EU), World health Organization (WHO) and other NGOs now plant and support its cultivation in various locations, including Africa, in order to combat malnutrition.

Above all, Moringa suppresses the COX-2 enzyme, which causes both inflammation and the pain related to it. It seems that anyone, including children and senior citizens in particular, can experience the benefits of taking Moringa. Athletes report a surge in energy from using these capsules, and many users are amazed because they feel the results so quickly.

Moringa Oleifera as Treatment for Gout & Arthritis

For many centuries Moringa Oleifera was used in traditional medicine, such as the "Ayurveda", as a treatment Arthritis and Gout. It was believed that Moringa Leaf Powder reduce inflammations and pain caused by these conditions.

In 2008 the Faculty of Medicine Health Sciences of the Putra University in Malaysia, published a research aimed to test if Moringa poses any Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory activities, the same activities achieved by the drugs used in modern medicine such as NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The research found that the Moringa leaves posses substances that have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activitie; in fact they found that it has high quantities of these substances. This means that Moringa Oleifera use in Indian traditional medicine as a treatment Arthritis and Gout was just.

The effects of the Moringa is suppressing the COX-2 enzyme. This enzyme is responsible for inflammation processes and pain. Usually the drugs used to suppress this enzyme are NSAID such as Voltaren, Nksin, Adoil, ARCOXIA, Kaspo etc. The side effects of these products include risk for stroke, kidney problems, blood vessels problems, stomach problems and the list goes on. Combine the risks from the side effects with the existing condition causing the need to take the NSAID and the presence of pain combined with an inflammatory issue, and the risks for medical complications grow.
Moringa Oleifera in pure natural tree that has been used as food and as medicine along history, this means that it is much safer to use than NSAID but with similar effectiveness and less toxicity.

Link to the official research :http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13880200802366710

Moringa Oleifera: A treatment for Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that is characterized by problems involving the hormone insulin. In healthy people, the pancreas releases insulin; insulin then works to help the body use and store the fat and sugar that is derived from the food that people eat. With diabetes, insulin can be compromised in a couple of different ways. In some cases, the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin at all. Other times, the body does not react in the right way to insulin - this is known as "insulin resistance." Finally, diabetes is sometimes characterized by a pancreas that produces an insufficient volume of insulin.

The Two Types of Diabetes

It's important to understand that diabetes is a disease that has no cure. Once a person develops diabetes, they will suffer from the condition for the rest of their life. Although diabetes may be triggered by a variety of different phenomena involving the pancreas and insulin production - or lack thereof - it can also be divided into two distinct types.

Type 1 Diabetes - Type 1 diabetes typically first arises in people under the age of 20, although it can happen at any age. Insulin-producing cells - known as beta cells - in the pancreas are completely destroyed by the body's immune system. In turn, the pancreas can no longer produce any insulin and insulin injections must be administered.

Type 2 Diabetes - With type 2 diabetes, a person's pancreas still produces insulin; the problem is that it either doesn't create enough insulin, or the person's body is resistant to the insulin that is produced. Type 2 diabetes commonly occurs in obese and overweight individuals - usually over the age of 40 - and is sometimes called "adult onset diabetes."

Managing Diabetes

There is no cure for diabetes. However, there are several ways to manage the condition in order to keep insulin at the proper level. There are several different techniques and strategies for managing diabetes. Some of them include:

  • carefully monitoring one's diet in order to keep blood sugar levels in check;
  • using insulin injections as needed to maintain optimal levels in those whose bodies don't produce the hormone;
  • keeping a close eye on blood sugar levels by using special kits that measure insulin and sugar in the blood; and
  • following an exercise routine in order to keep blood pressure levels in check.

Moringa Oleifera: A Natural Treatment for Diabetes

3 moringa leavesAs with any disease or condition, doctors and researchers are constantly seeking new ways to treat and manage diabetes. People are more concerned about using harsh, synthetic medications than ever before, which is what makes the promise of a tree called Moringa Oleifera all the more exciting. Moringa Oleifera is a tree that is originally native to India, but is now grown across the globe. As it happens, people in many developing countries - particular in Africa - have been using Moringa Oleifera to treat and manage the symptoms of diabetes for years.

Why does Moringa Oleifera hold so much promise for those who suffer from diabetes?

Primarily because of its many amazing, natural benefits. Moringa Oleifera has been shown to naturally boost the immune system, which usually becomes compromised in those who suffer from type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Moringa Oleifera has also been shown to possess many key anti-inflammatory benefits; diabetes often causes circulatory problems which can be managed through anti-inflammatory supplements. There are no negative side effects associated with Moringa Oleifera use, meaning that it is a safe, natural way for people to manage their blood sugarand care for their diabetes symptoms. It's just one more option for the many people who have to cope with this serious condition.

Moringa Oleifera for Cancer Prevention or Treatment

As we learn more about cancer, we are empowered to use more of the tools which nature has created for us to help battle this terrible disease. The fight against cancer exists on many fronts, encompassing both prevention and treatment methods. In the past we have put all of our faith in pharmaceutical drugs, however these are not the only weapons we have at our disposal to do battle with cancer. Moringa Oleifera is a plant which is known to have many medicinal properties. It is becoming very clear that this natural resource is a helpful ally in a comprehensive treatment of cancer.

Moringa has been shown in studies to have an anti-tumor capacity. Moringa contains benzyl isothiocyanate. There are many studies that have shown this chemical and compounds derived thereof to have anti-cancer and chemoprotective capabilities. This chemoprotective aspect is critical for those who are battling cancer; this helps strengthen cells so that they can tolerate chemotherapy.

Moringa Oleifera has other characteristics which make it a good compliment to a cancer prevention or treatment plan. It contains an enormous amount of nutritional content; Moringa Oleifera contains vitamins, minerals, and amino acids which are critical for good health. It is loaded with calcium, iron, potassium, protein, Vitamin A and C, and many more properties which promote a healthy body that has the tools to fight cancer. It is known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-allergenic, and pain relief uses. It has also been put to use to fight a variety of infections.

This incredibly useful tree has grown popular of late due to its ability to help sustain populations that have otherwise been fraught with nutritional problems. It tends to grow in areas where access to food and clean water are more complicated. The successes that many have had with Moringa Oleifera in promoting good health in some of the most devastated areas have lead many scientists to examine its properties closely. It is fast emerging as a means to prevent cancer. It is also gaining notoriety as a product which helps cancer patients who are currently undergoing pharmaceutical treatment.

Fighting cancer is about equipping your body with the tools to fight every day. While drug therapies are very useful in this fight, it is also key that naturally occurring dietary options are used as well. Total health will give a cancer patient the endurance to battle the disease with full energy. The anti-tumor properties in Moringa Oleifera will be of special interest to cancer patients. Also, for those undergoing chemotherapy, the chemoprotective properties associated with this wonderful plant will empower the patient to stand strong when using chemotherapy to fight cancer. Investigate the studies which show this plant to be useful in a comprehensive battle against cancer. Always be sure to discuss all of your treatments options with your doctor, including your choice of dietary supplements, as interactions between chemicals must always be closely monitored when undergoing drug treatment. Moringa Oleifera has exciting potential as an ally in the war against cancer.

MORINGA MEDICAL AND USES

Plants have played a significant role in maintaining human health and improving the quality of human life for thousands of years and have served humans well as valuable components of medicines, seasonings, beverages, cosmetics and dyes. Herbal medicine is based on the premise that plants contain natural substances that can promote health and alleviate illness. In recent times, focus on plant research has increased all over the world and a large body of evidence has collected to show immense potential of medicinal plants used in various traditional systems. Today, we are witnessing a great deal of public interest in the use of herbal remedies. Further more many western drugs had their origin in plant extract. There are many herbs, which are predominantly used to treat cardiovascular problems, liver disorders, central nervous system, digestive and metabolic disorders. Given their potential to produce significant therapeutic effect, they can be useful as drug or supplement in the treatment / management of various diseases. Herbal drugs or medicinal plants, their extracts and their isolated compound(s) have demonstrated spectrum of biological activities. Such have been used and continued to be used as medicine in folklore or food supplement for various disorders. Ethnopharmacological studies on such herbs/medicinally important plants continue to interest investigators throughout the world.

One such plant, Moringa oleifera Lam., invites attention of the researchers worldwide for its pharmacological activities ranging from anti-inflammatory to anticancer activities. Moringa oleifera Lam. (Family: Moringaceae) is a small or middle sized tree, about 10 m in height, cultivated throughout India. It is a multipurpose tree, used as vegetable, spice, a source of cooking and cosmetic oil and as a medicinal plant. It is known as Drumstick in English, Saragvo in Gujrati, Soanjna in Hindi, Sajna in Bengali, Nugge in Kannada, Sigru in malyalam, Shevga in Marathi, Shobhanjana in Sanskrit, Munaga in Telgu and Murungai in Tamil.

It is reported to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and cinnamates. It is used in abortion 1-3, diabetes 4 and as an antipyretic 5, anthelmentic 6 and antiherpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) 7. All parts of the tree are considered to possess medicinal properties and used in the treatment of ascites, rheumatism, and venomous bites and as cardiac and circulatory stimulant. The root is laxative, expectorant, diuretic, and good for inflammations, throat, bronchitis, piles, cures stomatitis, urinary discharges and obstinate asthma 8. The root bark is useful in heart complaints, eye diseases, inflammation, dyspepsia, and enlargement of spleen. The root and bark are abortifacient 9. The leaves are anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, cures hallucinations, dry tumors, hiccough and asthma. Dried powder of leaf extract produces abortifacient activity in rats 3. The flowers cure inflammations and muscle diseases. The fruit cures biliousness, pain, Leucoderma and tumor. The seed cures eye diseases and head complaints. Oil is useful in leprous ulcers and as external application for rheumatism 8. The roots and seeds are prescribed for the treatment of snakebites and scorpion stings 9. Seeds extracts have been proposed as an eco-friendly alternative, due to their traditional use for the clarification of drinking water.

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Figure: Structures of selected phytochemicals from Moringa oleifera. 4-(4'-O-acetyl-α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl isothiocyanate [A] and 4-(-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl isothiocyanate [B].

Phytochemical constituents isolatedfromMoringa oleifera Lam.

Parts

Phytochemical constituents

Roots

4-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate and benzylglucosinolate 10

Stem

4-hydroxymellein, vanillin, β-sitosterone, octacosanic acid and β-sitosterol 11

Bark

4-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate 10

Whole gum exudates

L-arabinose, D-galactose, D-glucuronic acid, L-rhamnose, D-mannose, D-xylose and leucoanthocyanin 12-13

Leaves

Glycoside niazirin, niazirinin and three mustard oil glycosides, 4-[4’-O-acetyl- α -L-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl] isothiocyanate, niaziminin A and B 14-15

Mature flowers

D-mannose, D-glucose, protein, ascorbic acid, polysaccharide 16

Whole pods

Nitriles, isothiocyanate, thiocarbanates, 0-[2’-hydroxy-3’-(2’’-heptenyloxy)]-propylundecanoate, 0-ethyl-4-[( α -1-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl] carbamate, methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate and β-sitosterol 14-15

Mature seeds

Crude protein, Crude fat, carbohydrate, methionine, cysteine, 4-(α-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate, benzylglucosinolate, moringyne, mono-palmitic and di-oleic triglyceride 10

Seed oil

Vitamin A, beta carotene, precursor of Vitamin A 17-18

Traditional uses of Moringa oleifera Lam.

Parts and its form

Pharmacological activities

Crude ethanolic extract of dried seeds,
Hot water infusion of flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and bark,
Crude methanolic extract of the roots

Antiinflammatory 19

Oil from dried seeds,
Methanol and ethanol extract of free dried leaves

Antioxidant 20

Defatted and shell free seeds,
Fresh leaves juice,
Roots and bark

Antimicribial 21

Aqueous extract of stem bark,
ethanolic extract of leaves,
Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of whole pod and their parts, namely, coat, pulp and seed

Cardiovascular 22

Leaves and fruits

Antihyperlipidemic 23

Methanolic extract of roots

CNS depressant 24

Aqueous or ethanolic extract of bark and roots

Antifertility 25

Paste of leaves,
Ethanolic extract of seeds

Anticancer 26

Aqueous and ethanolic extract of roots and flower,
Ethanolic extract of leaves

Antihepatotoxic 27

Methanolic extract of leaves and flower buds

Antiulcer 28

Hot water infusion of flowers, leaves, roots, seeds and stalks of bark

Seed infusion

Carotene of M. olifera

Extract of M. olifera

Miscellaneous

Antispasmodic 19

Diuretic 19

Produces Vitamin A
Rises blood Hemoglobin level 29

Increases blood glucose level 30
Regulate hyperthyroidism 31

Ref: http://www.pharmainfo.net/reviews/moringa-oleifera-lam-miracle-tree

MORINGA OLEIFERA PROPERTIES

Anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa Oleifera

There are over 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds all naturally
occurring in the Moringa plant.

Antioxidants:
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B (Choline), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin),
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, Alanine, Alpha-Carotene,
Arginine, Beta-Carotene, Beta-sitosterol, Caffeoylquinic Acid, Campesterol,
Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Chromium, Delta-5-Avenasterol, Delta-7-Avenasterol,
Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Kaempferal, Leucine,
Lutein, Methionine, Myristic-Acid, Palmitic-Acid, Prolamine, Proline, Quercetin, Rutin,
Selenium, Threonine, Tryptophan, Xanthins, Xanthophyll, Zeatin, Zeaxanthin, Zinc.

Anti-inflammatory:
Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Arginine, Beta-sitosterol,
Caffeoylquinic Acid, Calcium, Chlorophyll, Copper, Cystine, Omega 3, Omega 6,
Omega 9, Fiber, Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Isoleucine,
Kaempferal, Leucine, Magnesium, Oleic-Acid, Phenylalanine, Potassium, Quercetin,
Rutin, Selenium, Stigmasterol, Sulfur, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Zeatin, Zinc.

DOST Study:
Anti-inflammatory and Antitumor Activities of Seeds Extracts of Malunggay,
Moringa oleifera L. (Moringgaceae)
Amelia P. Guevara, Carolyn Vargas and Milagros Uy
http://www.stii.dost.gov.ph/pjsweb/data/antitumor_of_malunggay.htm

ABSTRACT
The seeds of malunggay, Moringa oleifera, were extracted with distilled ethanol
and concentrated under reduced pressure at 40oC. The resulting extract was
partitioned between hexane, ethylacetate, butanol and water. The solvent fractions
were likewise concentrated under reduced pressure.
The crude ethanol extract of dried seeds inhibited the carrageenan-induced
inflammation in the hind paw of mice by 85% at a dosage of 3 mg/g body weight while
the mature green seeds by 77%The hexane fraction of the crude ethanol extract of the
dried seeds also inhibited inflammation by 77% at the same dosage while both butanol
and water fractions inhibited inflammation by only 34%These results indicate the strong
anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract and the hexane fraction.

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