Horseradish Tree, Moringa,

Moringa oleifera

Physical Characteristics

Moringa oleifera is a deciduous Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Sunbirds. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

E. Asia - Indian subcontinent.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Inner bark Leaves Oil Root Seed Seedpod Shoots Edible Uses: Condiment Gum Oil Tea Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[301 ]. Added to salads, cooked as a potherb and added to soups and curries[299 , 301 , 307 ]. They have a mustard-like flavour[301 ]. The leaves contain 7 - 10% protein[301 ]. (This almost certainly refers to the dried leaf[K ].) The leaves are very nutritious, being rich in vitamins, minerals and the sulphur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine, which are often in short supply[303 ]. The young, tender seedlings make an excellent cooked vegetable[301 , 303 ]. Flowers - raw or cooked[299 , 301 ]. Added to salads, cooked as a potherb and added to soups and curries[301 , 303 ]. They can also be used to make a tea[303 ]. Seedpods. The long, bean-like pods are used in soups and curries, or made into pickles[301 ]. The young pods are said to have a taste reminiscent of asparagus[303 ] and can be eaten raw[307 ]. The pods can be 15 - 45cm long[418 ]. Seeds. The immature seeds are eaten like peas[301 ]. A sweet flavour[307 ]. Mature seeds, when roasted or fried, are said to resemble peanuts in flavour[299 , 301 ]. An oil obtained from the seeds is used in salads and cooking[301 ]. Pleasantly flavoured, it resembles olive oil and is an excellent salad oil[303 ]. The oil is clear and odourless and does not become rancid quickly[299 ]. The seeds from mature pods (which can be 40-50 cm long) are browned in a skillet, mashed and placed in boiling water, which causes the oil to float to the surface[303 ]. The pungent root is used like horseradish (Armoracea rusticana) as a hot flavouring in foods[301 , 303 ]. Even when free of the bark, the condiment when used in excess may be harmful[303 ]. A reddish gum obtained from the bark is used as a seasoning[301 ]. Used in a similar manner to gum tragacanth[200 ].

Medicinal Uses

Abortifacient Antiasthmatic Antibiotic Antifungal Antiinflammatory Antirheumatic Appetizer Astringent Cardiac Demulcent Digestive Diuretic Expectorant Kidney Laxative Odontalgic Rubefacient Skin Tonic Vesicant The horseradish tree is a nutritious, diuretic, laxative herb that is expectorant, increases milk flow, controls bacterial infections and is rubefacient when applied topically[238 ]. It contains a potent antibiotic[238 ]. Ben oil, obtained from the seeds, has no taste, smell or colour and is exceptionally resistant to oxidation[238 ]. The young leaves are taken internally to increase the milk flow in nursing mothers[238 ]. The root is used as a vesicant[287 ]. The alkaloid spirachin (a nerve paralyzer) has been found in the roots[303 ]. The root juice is used internally in the treatment of asthma, gout, rheumatism, enlarged spleen and liver, bladder and kidney stones, inflammatory conditions[238 ]. Externally, the root is used to treat boils, ulcers, glandular swellings, infected wounds, skin diseases, dental infections, snake bites and gout[238 ]. The roots and bark are used for cardiac and circulatory problems, as a tonic and for inflammation[303 ]. The bark is an appetizer and digestive[303 ]. The gum is demulcent, diuretic, astringent and abortifacient[303 , 307 ]. It is used in cough syrups and in the treatment of asthma[303 ]. The bark and gum are used in the treatment of tuberculosis and septicaemia[238 ]. Flowers and immature fruits are said to be a good rubefacient[287 ]. A decoction of the flowers is used as a cold remedy[303 ]. The seeds are effective against skin-infecting bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They contain the potent antibiotic and fungicide terygospermin[303 ]. Oil of Ben is used for hysteria, scurvy, prostate problems and bladder troubles[303 ]. A number of compounds with medicinal properties have been isolated. The fruit and leaf contain oxalic acid, the bark moringinine, the stem vanillin, the flower kaempferol and quercetin and the root spirochin and pterygospermin[299 ]. The seeds contain a glucosinolate that on hydrolysis yields 4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzylisothiocyanate, an active bactericide and fungicide[299 ].

Known Hazards

None known