Malunggay (Moringa olifera)

Malunggay or Moringa is an exotic plant but grows well throughout the Philippines. The tree can grow as high as 3 to 5 meters in a span of 1 year and can reach a maximum height of 30 meters without cutting.

Malunggay  has many medicinal value from its roots to leaves and pods. The leaves when boiled and drink can cure the following ailments;

1. hicupps
2. asthma
3. gout
4. back pain
5. rheumatism
6. wounds
7. and sores

Pods are cure for intestinal parasites, constipation. Powdered pods and leaves are very helpful in increasing breast milk for moms who breastfed their babies. Six tablespoon of powdered leaf will provide almost all the woman's daily iron and calcium requirement during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pounded roots are used as poultice for inflammatory swelling while the fruit could increase sperm count. The root barks has sex-hormone related properties.

Today, malunggay or moringa can be purchase over the counter. There are pharmaceutical companies who studied and processed this one of a kind plant and is now being sold worldwide.

Aside from its medicinal properties, malunggay is widely used as ingredients in cooking. I love chicken with malunggay leaves and papaya, it is called "tinolang manok".,