The Moringa oleifera tree is grown in many parts of the world and can tolerate hostile conditions and poor soils. It is a very useful tree and practically every part of it can be used as food or in traditional medicine. Moringa seeds are eaten either in the immature pod or when fully maturated. The seeds can also be pressed to produce Moringa oil, which is used in cooking, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. You can buy Moringa seeds and oil online; organic varieties are also available.

Oleic Acid

Moringa seeds are rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. Oleic acid is typically associated

with olive oil, as the latter is one of the main sources of this unsaturated fat in the diet. Oleic acid is

believed to be one of the factors responsible for the health-promoting effects of the

Mediterranean diet, and according to the 2007 issue of "Alternative Medicine Review," evidence is

accumulating that it may help protect against cancer.

Micronutrients

Moringa seeds are rich in the vitamins A and C and the mineral iron. Vitamin A is important for eye health and night vision, healthy skin, hair and nails and cell growth. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that protects you from the damaging effects of free radicals. It is also important in wound healing, immune function and collagen synthesis. Iron is an important component of red blood cells and a low intake causes iron-deficiency anemia.Vegetarians and women tend to be particularly at risk of iron deficiency.

Antibacterial Effect

The June 2010 issue of "Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de Sao Paulo" reported that

researchers have discovered that extracts from the moringa seeds have antibacterial effects.

In this study, the extract exhibited a bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus

aureus, Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli. This gives credence to the use of moringa seeds

and leaves as an antiseptic in traditional medicine.

Larvicidal Effect

A similar study, reported in the June 2009 issue of "Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias,"

investigated the larvicidal effect of moringa seed extract. The researchers found that

this extract was toxic to the larvae of the yellow fever mosquito, an insect that

spreads a number of diseases. On the other hand it was found that the extract was

harmless to rats. The authors conclude that the seeds and

their extract could be used in mosquito control programs.

Moringa oleifera, known popularly as drumstick tree, is a tropical plant grown for its nutritious leafy-greens, flower buds, and mineral-rich green fruit pods. It is a well-recognized member in the Moringaceae family of trees, and thought to be originated in the sub-Himalayan forests of the Indian subcontinent. It possesses horseradish-like root and, hence, known to the western world as horseradish tree. Their young, tender seed pods are popular as murnga in Tamil, and malunggay in Philippines.

Moringa is a drought tolerant, medium-sized, evergreen tree that prefers warm, frost-free climates to flourish. Its tender leaves and twigs can be harvested at any time from a well-established, 1.5 to 2 meters tall plant. Taller plants bear cream-white, small size flowers in clusters throughout the season, which subsequently develop into long slender dark-green, three-sided, edible seedpods with tapering ends. Each pod measures about 6-18 inches in length with constrictions at the seed nodes giving them a typical drumstick-like appearance. Inside, each pod features fleshy pulp and round pea-sized seed encased inide a wing-shaped coat (hull).

Fresh tender leaves, flowers, tender pods, and seed-kernels of moringa are edible.

You can eat the pods. We do! I happen to think that they are only really delicious, when they are very young - about the size of green beans, or what you might call, "string beans".

At that age, they are sweet, crisp, and very tasty! When they get much larger than that, they tend to have a "stringy" or "woody" texture to them - which we do not think tastes very good. However, in many other countries, people do eat the pods when they are larger - and seem to love the taste! You can eat the entire pod, seeds and all - but we think the little ones are the best! Some grow straight, and some "curl up", but they are all - edible.