Moringa

Common Name   Standardized: horseradish tree Other: moringa, drumsticktree, West Indian ben, muringa (Tamil) jacinto (Spanish) sahijan or munaga, (Hindi) shigru or shobhanjana (Ayurvedic)   Botanical Name   Moringa oleifera Lam. Plant Family: Moringaceae   Parts Used   Leaves, seeds for pressing oil.   Overview   Moringa is a tree that has been used for thousands of years in India for everything from food, to building materials, and also for its beneficial properties. This 'wonder tree' truly is wondrous in that each part of the tree is useful. The roots, stems, leaves, seed pods, resin and flowers are considered to be healing herbs in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian healing system) and Unani (traditional Middle Eastern healing system) folk medicine. In modern times, the leaves and seed pods are utilized extensively due to their nutrient content and modern studies are investigating their vast potential.   Botany   Moringa is native to the sub Himalayan mountain region particula