Moringa oleifera LAM. as Medicinal and Food Plant to Fight against Malnutrition in India

Abstract

Moringa is an indigenous plant which belongs to Family-Moringaceae, scientifically, known as Moringa oleifera Lam. It is distributed all over India. The plant is the store house of enormous nutrients. The Fresh leaves juice contains Vit-A, Vit-C, Vit-B complex, Calcium, minerals, Carotenoids and essential amino acids. The tree is also known as miracle plant. The plant is used as a good source of food, i.e., root, stem, leaves, flower, fruits and seeds. The fresh leaves are the rich source of food which has high nutritive values, i.e., 100 g high calories, vitamin C-0.5 mg, 229 mg phosphorus, calcium 285 mg, and many other important minerals viz. Iron (0.007 mg) Manganese (27 mg), Copper (0.029 mg), Potassium (366 mg), Vitamins B-Complex, Vitamins-A, and Vit-C. This indigenous plant is a ray of hope for farmer and it can boost up the health. The tree can be grown by seeds as well by stem cuttings. The high yield is obtained by purpose full agriculture of Moringa. It is a miracle plant which can helps to fight malnutrition.