Moringa Oleifera: The Miracle Tree
To call a tree a "miracle" is to refer to something that
Webster's Dictionary defines as: "One that excites admiration or
awe." Obviously to Verl Rayl of Maun, Botswana, Africa, the
Moringa oleifera tree was doing precisely that. After
discovering my web site he e-mailed me and politely introduced
himself, the reason why he was sending me his missive, and an
explanation of what moringa was and what it did.
When he mentioned that moringa was featured in an early chapter
of the Bible I thought that maybe he wanted to convert me to
Christianity or something. These things have happened for
centuries - only offline! But as his logical e-mail stated that
he was growing them on his property and why he was doing so, I
checked out some links he provided.
Mr. Rayl wrote: "Dr Jean Baptiste the Moringa Project scientist
called me and wants me to come down to the capitol for a visit
and to take me to meet the only other person who is growing
Moringa trees on a fairly large scale and selling the products,
an MD who has a clinic in the south. He has 300 trees. He made a
press to extract the seed oil. But I being a mechanic all my
life know how to do that. I have a friend who has a machine shop
so I plan to make one also. The Moringa seed oil is great for
cooking oil, also can use it in a lamp like kerosene and it has
no smoke or odor. It also can be used on the skin. Can grind the
dry seeds and use the powder to purify water. It is in the Bible
about that in Exodus."
"Each part of the Moringa tree has their own benefits and
vitamins etc. The leaves, the seed pods when young can be cooked
eaten like beans when they are a little older can be opened and
seed kernel can be cooked and eaten in any recipe for peas. When
seeds are mature can be roasted or fried taste like peanuts. The
flowers are great steeped in a cup boiling water for 5 minutes
and honey or sugar added. The root can be cleaned etc. on young
trees a horseradish substitute but must be careful with that and
not use it too often, I don't really recommend that as that is
the only part that is questionable as far as I am concerned. I
have not tried it and probably won't. We use the leaf powder on
or in food every day."
I have been able to work with moringa seed oil for almost a year
and have tried this wonderful oil, sometimes referred to as ben
oil, in several skincare products. The nutty aroma is a bit
strong but when a fragrance or essential oil is added the scent
is disguised. Moringa seed oil from Northern India is derived
from vitamin and protein filled seeds that flourish on the
Moringa oleifera tree. The skin moisturizing benefits are
derived from the fact that moringa seed oil is high in vitamins
A and C and unsaturated fatty acids.
Moringa seed oil contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory
properties, which help heal minor skin complaints such as cuts,
bruises, burns, insect bites, rashes and scrapes quickly.
Moringa oil is also helpful for purposes of tanning or
maintaining a tan, as this oil is rich in copper and calcium,
important nutrients for the skin.
Moringa oil is also an excellent pre-wash hair conditioner
[leave in for up to an hour and wash out], as it contains those
cleansing proprieties that our scalp so desperately needs. I am
in the process of testing a liquid hair conditioner/moisturizer
with it, and so far am having excellent results. The addition of
moringa seed oil to soap makes it seem even more cleansing than
usual, and it can be used as an effective and economical solid
shampoo. However, if used for that purpose, an apple cider
vinegar rinse is necessary as it cleans a bit too well for some
hair types.
Like many exotic oils on the market, moringa oil has been used
in India, Africa and many other Asian countries for centuries.
We are very fortunate to be exposed to these wonderful oils and
find out just how effective they can be to us.
For more information on moringa, and how you can plant a moringa
tree, please visit:
http://www.treesforlife.org/treesforlife.asp