THE MIRACLE TREE THAT REIGNS SUPREME

Moringa Oleifera

The Tree of Life / The Miracle 

     Moringa Oleifera is known by the names miracle tree, tree of life, horseradish tree, or drumstick tree.  Moringa is an important herbal plant in the alternative world because of the high nutrient value properties the plant produces in its leaves, pods (drumsticks), flowers, roots, and seeds.  Today, the tree is one of the top five sort out herbal plant.  An exceptionally high medicinal herb or nutritional dense leafy green vegetable that holds high in iron, calcium, protein, and vitamins A, B, and C.  Moringa has a reputation of its widespread use in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.  Moringa Oleifera is not formerly recognized as a direct competitor to pharmaceutical drugs, but rather as a plant with significant powerhouse nutritional and medicinal potential that can complement health management without side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.  Moringa can be a beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle but should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional if one is already taking or considering pharmaceutical medication.

Lets’ take a closer look on this “miracle healing” plant

Moringa Oleifera is globally in almost all tropical and subtropical regions but it is believed to be native to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. International countries, such as, China, Thailand, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Australia, United States, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, and Portugal have done research studies on this plant.

Moringa is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 10-12m (33-39 ft) and trunk diameter of 46 cm (18 in.)  India is the largest producer but can be found in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean Islands at local markets.

moringa oleifera leaves

Benefits and Nutritional Value

Moringa has the ability to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, aid in blood sugar control (diabetes), balance hormones, aid in digestion, nourish hair, and prevents skin damage. 

Moringa contains tryptophan, an amino acid the body needs to create serotonin, which stabilizes mood. It has a high polyphenol content, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates.  

Moringa oleifera seeds are a rich source of oil, often exceeding 40% oil content, with a high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, primarily oleic acid up to 76%, making it similar to olive oil.  Other key fatty acids found in the seeds include:

• Palmitic Acid

• Stearic Acid

• Linoleic Acid

• Behenic acid

• Linolenic Acid

• Gadoleic Acid

The ethanolic seed extract produced immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocytes and splenocytes as well as histamine release from mast cells.  

Moringa oleifera has properties of anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory.

Healing protection

• Edema

• Liver

• Cancer

• Stomach

• Bacteria

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Nervous System Disorders

• Mood

• Cardiovascular System

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• High Blood Pressure

• Eye Health

• Anemia

• Sickle Cell

• Wound

Vitamin Essentials

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B1 thiamine

• Vitamin B2 Riboflavin

• Vitamin B3 Niacin

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin C ascorbic acid

• Calcium

• Potassium

• Iron

• Magnesium

• Phosphorus

• Protein

How is it used

Moringa leaves and seeds are ground to make a powder.  The powder is made into capsules and tablets.  You can mix the moringa powder in liquid to drink.

drying out moringa leaves

The leaves, flowers, seeds and roots are used in traditional medicine to treat different health issues.

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked.  The pods “drumsticks” can be eaten cooked.

Where to Grow

This plant thrives in warm, dry climates with sandy soil and can be grown in tropical or subtropical regions. In colder regions, it can be kept indoors when temperatures drop below 60°F, provided it is moved inside after the warm season.

 indoors zone 7b

     Moringa oleifera is truly a "miracle tree" that delivers substantial nutritional benefits and protective healing properties to the human body. While worldwide scientific studies and published articles have already validated its potential, further data is continually being documented. Is this tree, therefore, the one complete vitamin supplement we can rely on?

freshly harvested moringa leaves

     In summary, moringa is a fantastic whole-food supplement to complement a balanced diet but should not be relied upon as a complete replacement for vitamins or food. 

DID YOU HAVE YOUR VEGGIES TODAY?

Tatsoi, Red Cabbage, Turnips, Parsley, and Radicchio
"A variety of nutrients"

Vegetables today?  I hope so!  If you want to have good health, then you must obtain the necessary nutrients by eating a variety (different) of vegetables daily.  Different vegetables have specific substances that helps the body function and fight off various diseases.  Vegetables are high in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and low in calories.  Therefore, eating a variety of vegetables can help control blood pressure and control weight.

Try not to rely much on supermarkets when looking for different vegetables.  It is best to venture out to places, such as, local Farmers' Markets, food co-ops, or health food stores.  What's even better growing your own vegetable garden (if possible).

By going to Farmers' Markets you will find some vegetables that are like these...

Rainbow Swiss Chard and Celeriac (Celery Root)

Beautiful, right?  Amazing the color depth vegetables gives off.

Tatsoi
(known as either Spinach Mustard or Rosette Bok Choy)



Savoy Cabbage

Wow!!  I had to take this home.  I never saw this type of cabbage.  A friend told me it taste really good and a good technique in cooking the savoy cabbage is by sautéing it in olive oil and garlic.  The leaves remind me of lacinato kale (Tuscan or dinosaur kale).




Don't be intimidated on the appearance
"Savoy Cabbage"

In the world of vegetables, the family Brassica genus reigns supreme - most powerful superfood. 

Who are the Brassica family?

The family members are:

• Red and Green cabbage
• Brussels Sprouts
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Turnips
• Collard Greens
• Mustard Greens
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower

The benefits?

• Compounds of indoles
• Fights off cancer
• Fights off fibroids
• Stimulates the immune system
• Kills bacteria and viruses
• Blood purifier
• Antioxidants

Health Tip:  Eating cabbage more than once a week can help reduce your colon cancer odds by 66 percent!

Cooking Tips:

Roasting?

Sautéing or Braised?

Raw Salad?

There are so many versions or techniques on how you can eat cabbage.  Try out the three ways and decide which one you would like best.

Open your arms and palate to the Brassica Family or the different vegetables that are available!


                                                                                                 Enjoy!

PECAN MAPLE SWEET POTATO

"Alternative Sweet Craving"

 



 

Pecan Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato
It will satisfy that sweet craving

Sweet potatoes are an excellent choice in reaching for when you have that sweet tooth craving.  Eating sweet potatoes will not give you that guilty feeling of "why did I eat that."  The orange potato is super beneficial and can be eaten as a snack, vegetable side, and can be added to main dishes.

Why are the sweet potatoes beneficial?

Sweet potatoes plays an important role in our health.  Those tubers are high in vitamin B6 (crucial in breaking down a substance known as homocysteine- contributes to hardening of the arteries and blood vessels), vitamin B5, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, iron, calcium, and manganese.

Wait, these are not all the beneficial nutrients sweet potatoes provides us.  Other nutrients are:

• High in potassium- very heart friendly.  It helps lower blood pressure eliminating the body of excess sodium and regulate fluid balance.  Therefore, regulates the natural rhythm of the heart, central nervous system, and the brain.
• High vitamin A (antioxidant)- anti-aging and eyesight friendly.  It encourages glowing skin and collagen growth.  The vitamin A nutrients sweet potatoes provides helps the surface of the eye, mucous membranes and skin be effective barriers to bacteria and viruses reducing the risk of eye infections and respiratory problems.
• Fiber-  digestive tract friendly.  Regulates the digestion.
• Beta-carotene- cancer fighting friendly.  Studies have shown sweet potatoes may reduce the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.  However, purple sweet potatoes have shown to have better advantage cancer fighting abilities.
• Low glycemic index- carbohydrate metabolism friendly.  It helps steady the levels of blood sugar.  Therefore, it will not spike sugar levels but gives you energy.
• Magnesium- low stress friendly.  It promotes relaxation, calmness, and a good mood.
• Anti-inflammatory properties.
• Vitamin C- immune system friendly. 

 Are there other varieties of sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes comes in white, yellow, pink and purple varieties.  The orange sweet potatoes are more popular in the United States.  Purple sweet potatoes have the greatest antioxidants.

Are there misconceptions with sweet potatoes?

Some people believe yams and sweet potatoes are the same.  Sweet potatoes and yams are totally different and not related to the same family.  Sweet potatoes are members of the morning glory family.  Yams are related to the lilies and grasses and native to Africa and Asia.  Yams are starchier, drier, and comes in many varieties. 

Here are examples of the different varieties of sweet potatoes
http://www.farm-fresh-produce.com/spvarieties.html

Can sweet potatoes help you lose weight?

Sweet potatoes are low in calories and high in water content.  Therefore, makes it an excellent weight loss food.

What are the beneficial ways in cooking the sweet potato?

You can steam or bake the potato. 

Pecan Maple Sweet Potato

Ready to Bake

I like to steam my sweet potatoes. 

Ingredients

• 1 medium size sweet potato
• Cinnamon
• 100% pure maple syrup ( no artificial syrup)
• Pecans

Directions

Steam the sweet potato until it is tender and soft.  About 35-45 minutes depending on the size of the sweet potato.  Then slice in half the sweet potato.  Dash some ground cinnamon on top.  Sprinkle of few pieces of pecans.  Then drizzle the maple syrup.  Place in toaster oven or conventional oven for about 10 minutes.

Sweet Potato baking away!

Then indulged in your guiltless pleasure!