Moringa and Its Importance

Abstract

In the recent past, Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) has been recognized as an economically and nutritionally important crop owing to its health benefits. Moringa is widespread and found in all tropical and subtropical climates. As this crop is grown by different groups of people, it is known by several regional names such as drumstick tree, sajiwan, kelor, murungai, marango, mlonge, mulangay, saijhan, ben oil tree and sajna. Moringa is valued for its high nutritional value and medicinally important phytochemicals. Edible parts of this plant are found to contain necessary nutritional compounds such as proteins, essential and non-essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other phenolic compounds. They have been historically consumed over centuries and have been employed in the indigenous system of medicine for the treatment of different maladies or disorders. Leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods of Moringa were found to have antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumour, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antiepileptic, cardiac and cholesterol-lowering activities. This chapter focuses on the nutritional and medicinal values of Moringa, their application in medicine along with their pharmacological properties besides providing an overview of promising cultivars and their cultivation.