Moringa oleifera, commonly known as "Moringa," is a tropical tree with myriad uses and benefits. Moringa has been in use in different parts of the world for centuries. It has been known for its medicinal as well as for its nutritional value. The most popular product derived from Moringa is Moringa oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the plant. This oil has many benefits, including skin and hair care, antifungal properties, and much more. It is also used in cooking and as an ingredient in cosmetics and other products. In this article, we will explore the history of Moringa and its use throughout time.
Moringa was first discovered around 2,000 BCE in northern India, where it was regarded as ‘The Miracle Tree’ by traditional physicians. They quickly became aware of its therapeutic value, a result of the tree’s abundance of valuable nutrients such as calcium, iron, potassium, ascorbic acid, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins A, B, and C. Moringa was found to have beneficial effects on maintaining mental sharpness as well as healthy skin, so it was diligently used by members of royal families and other aristocrats.
Moringa is also known as ‘The Tree of Life’ and has been an essential part of Ayurvedic tradition on the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years, where it has been mentioned as a cure for over 300 diseases. On the battlefields of ancient India, Moringa extract (with its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties) was frequently administered to iron-age Mauryan soldiers, who believed that by taking it they’d have the stamina to fight. It was also thought to take away the stress of combat and relieve the pain from their wounds. Moringa, now touted as a superfood and celebrated by western countries, has been an integral part of the Indian diet for ages.
The ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Egypt highly valued moringa oil, which was used to produce perfumes, skin lotions, sunscreen, and hair oils. The nutritious leafy green plant was discovered to be excellent for increasing skin elasticity and brightening the complexion. The Ancient Egyptians used a mixture of Moringa, castor, and sesame oils to reduce wrinkles and keep their skin looking young. In fact, moringa oil was so revered that jars of it have been found buried with the dead in ancient Egyptian tombs.
In 1817, when the island was still a British colony, moringa became a topic of discussion in the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce. Experts presented moringa oil as a healthy ingredient capable of providing additional nutrition to salads as well as having other culinary uses. Consequently, Moringa spread throughout the British Empire, eventually reaching many other countries around the world. Today, tropical and subtropical regions such as the Caribbean, Africa, the Philippines, eastern India, China, and Southeast Asia all cultivate high-quality moringa. The Moringa tree is an exceptionally low-maintenance plant, it thrives even in sandy soils that are dry and in the snowy mountains of the Himalayas.
Moringa, today, can therefore be found in many countries under different names: Malunggay (Philippines), Horseradish Tree, Drumstick Tree, Marang, Mlonge, Saijhan, Shecaga, Sajn, Kamungay, and many others.
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