oleifera

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as moringa or the horseradish tree, is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree native to the Indian subcontinent and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. It is valued for multiple edible parts and for its potential practical uses.

The tree has pinnate leaves with small leaflets, white flowers, and long slender pods known as drumsticks. It typically grows best in deep, well-drained soils with full sun and can tolerate poor soils and drought. It can be pruned to manage size and encourage multiple harvests of leaves and pods.

Leaves and pods are used as vegetables in many cuisines; leaves are cooked as greens and added to soups and curries, while young pods are eaten fresh or cooked. Seeds are edible when young and can be roasted or pressed to extract moringa oil, also called ben oil. The leaf is rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and protein, and moringa seeds provide edible oil high in oleic acid. Crushed moringa seeds have been explored as a natural coagulant for water purification. Leaf meal and seed meal are used as dietary supplements and in animal feeds.

Safety and research: Moringa has been studied for potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, but evidence is still evolving. As with many plants, high-dose or long-term use may carry risks, and individuals should seek guidance when using moringa therapeutically, particularly during pregnancy or when taking medications.