Health Benefits, Therapeutic and Pharmacological Properties of Moringa- A Review

Moringa yields at least four different edible parts viz., pods, leaves, flowers and seeds. Moringa leaves are the excellent source of protein, β-carotene, vitamins, A, B, C and E, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, folic acid, pyridoxine, amino acids, minerals and various phenolic compounds, phytochemicals and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The leaves of moringa are rich in palmitic and linolenic acids whereas the seeds are predominated by oleic acid. The leaves are used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers in many developing countries, particularly in India, Pakistan, Philippines, Hawaii and many parts of Africa. Pregnant women and lactating mothers use moringa leaf powder to enhance their child or children’s nourishment especially in underdeveloped countries where women are suffering from malnutrition. These natural plant phenolics present in moringa leaves could be a good source of antioxidants and antimicrobials for food and pharmaceutical industries. Perhaps using the multi-mix approach of food product development more food products could be developed especially for programs on malnutrition.