Prof M Sumarjit Singh and Tabuiliu Abonmai
Drumstick (Sahjan), scientifically known as Moringa oleifera, is the most widely cultivated species of the family Moringaceae. The plant is highly nutritious and has a variety of uses. The drumstick tree is perennial, erect, slender and medium sized, with many arching branches. It has drumstick-shaped fruits, small white flowers, and small, round leaves. The tree reaches to a height of about 10 meters. The plants are often cut back annually to one meter or less and allowed to regrow so that the leaves and pods remain within reach. It is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree. It is considered to be one of the world’s most useful trees, as almost every part of the tree can be used for food or has many beneficial properties. It is mostly grown as a backyard tree in most of the southern Indian homes, but it can be grown in wastelands too. The tree is not suitable for waterlogging areas.
The leaves are highly nutritious, having rich sources of Beta-carotene, Vitamin C, Protein, Iron and Potassium. A tablespoon of leaf powder contains 14% protein, 40% calcium, 23% iron, and high levels of vitamin A, which is mostly needed by children aged one to three. The flowers are also cooked and served as a delicacy in West Bengal and Bangladesh, especially during early spring. Leaves can be cooked with dried fish (kangsoi) or mixed with “besan” (gram flour) for preparation of “pakora”/“bora”/ “paknam”. The leaves are simply boiled with water and consumed as a tea. The dried powdered leaves can be prepared as soup and chutney. The leaves can be used to prepare salad (singju) and ooti, a local dish. Foliage from the leaves is also used as green manure and as a feed for grass carp.
The most valued and widely used part of this tree is the immature green pods, which are commonly called drumsticks. The nutritional values per 100 grams of edible portion of drumstick are: Moisture 86.9%, Protein 2.5%, Fat 4.8%, Carbohydrate 3.7%, Calcium 30mg, Vitamin C 120mg, Iron 5.3mg and Phosphorus 110mg. They are prepared in a variety of ways and taste great when added to sambar, a popular dish prepared in southern India. The tender pods can be prepared for a delicious curry by frying in coconut oil/mustard oil/rice bran oil, etc (kangou). The pods are simply boiled with water and eaten or may be cooked with dried fish and other vegetables (kangsoi).
It is antibacterial and a wonderful cleanser. In many countries, Moringa micronutrient liquid, a natural anthelmintic (kills parasites) and adjuvant (to aid or enhance another drug) is used as a metabolic conditioner against endemic diseases in developing countries. This tree grows very well in Manipur condition.
Some benefits of drumstick are:
1. The soup is helpful in treating asthma, wheezing and other respiratory systems
2. Strong bones : Strengthens bones in growing children, improves blood density in the elderly and reduces the symptoms of osteoporosis.
3. Fights cold and flu
4. Pregnancy and lactation: The presence of essential vitamins and minerals reduces the slowness of the uterus, facilitates delivery and reduces post-delivery problems.
5. Avoids infection : Throat, chest and skin.
6. Promotes gut health : Stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, aids the digestion process and umpteen amount of fibre in drumsticks regularize the bowel movement and maintains gut health.
7. Regulates hypertension : Improves blood flow and nutrients to the heart thereby regulating hypertension.
8. Kidney health : Antioxidants help remove toxins from your kidneys.
9. Lowers the risk of cancer : The rich antioxidant profile scavenges free radicals and averts oxidative damage to cells; constant ingestion of drumstick and its leaves decreases the probability of cancer by 80%.
10. Improves liver health : The drumstick hepatoprotective function protects the liver from harmful toxins and also helps improve gall bladder function.
11. Excellent Iron tonic : Regarded as a great tonic for young kids, for pregnant as well as lactating mothers.
12. Radiant Skin : Juice combined with lime juice is particularly effective for getting rid of acne, blackheads, pimples and other skin conditions.
13. Prevents impotency and female infertility.
14. Tonic for children : Juice blended with milk is an excellent tonic for strong and healthy bones as well as cleansing the blood circulation.
15. Urinary disorders : A tablespoon of leaf juice and cucumber/carrot is an efficient medication for scanty urination as well as continuous burning in the urethra.
16. Reduces intestinal tumours and ulcers.
17. Improves eye vision : It improves eye vision, and also cleans toxins through the retina, which increases the lifespan of the retina.
18. Reduces period cramps.
19. Uterus fibroids : Lowers the size of cysts in the uterus.
20. Lowers blood sugar in diabetic patients.
21. Dysuria control (painful or difficult urination): Grind the leaves with carrot juice and drink 300 ml at intervals of 6-10 hours for a few days. This will reduce acidity in the urine.
22. Boosts the nervous and immune systems.
For further details contact: - Public Relations & Media Management Cell, CAU, Imphal. Email:
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