Mission Moringa
The Miracle Tree and Its Healing Properties
by Jennifer Reinert

The first time I was introduced to the plant Moringa oleifera, I heard the phrase, “Give the body what it needs and it will heal itself.” I have spent years researching the benefits of vitamins and whole food diets. After hearing that phrase four years ago, my main focus has been studying the benefits of this incredible plant and using it for both my own health and in my wellness practice. I have personally witnessed its miraculous benefits and have seen the tremendous results with others who also use it.

Containing over 92 verifiable nutrients, Moringa oleifera is found to be the most nutrient-dense plant on earth. Dr. Monica Marcu, Pharm.D., Ph.D., a well-known botanist and pharmacologist, has labelled moringa “a perfect food.” It can be consumed by small children, pregnant woman, adults, and the elderly. The plant has been tried, tested, and proved with supporting documents to have no side effects. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses and high nutritional properties. Native to India, Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and Mexico, this fast-growing tree is cultivated in local gardens and sold in the market place.

It is no wonder the moringa is also referred to as “The Miracle Tree” or “Tree of Life.” It produces small leaves year round, and seasonally produces large seed pods which can grow to well over one foot in length. This drought-resistant tree is rich in phyto-nutrients. The various components, including the leaves, roots, seeds, pods, bark, and fruit contain over 92 nutrients with high values of vitamins, minerals, calcium, protein, iron, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, 18 to 20 amino acids (including the nine essential amino acids the body cannot manufacture on its own), 46 antioxidants, and 36 anti-inflammatory properties. Moringa seed oil contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which help to quickly heal cuts, bruises, burns, insect bites, rashes, and scrapes. It is also used to heal the ill, purify water, feed the hungry, and fight malnutrition. The nutrient content is much higher than that of other plant food sources. A 100-gram serving provides more calcium than milk, more vitamin A than carrots, more iron than spinach, and more potassium than bananas. Documented statistics from the book The Tree of Life published by Church World Services in 1999, reported the following:

“For a child aged 1–3, a 100g serving of fresh cooked leaves would provide all his/her daily requirements of calcium, about 75% of his iron, and half his protein needs, as well as important amounts of potassium, B vitamins, copper, and all the essential amino acids. As little as 20 grams of leaves would provide a child with all the vitamins A and C he needs.”

For centuries, people in many countries have used moringa traditionally as medicine for common ailments and disease. Numerous clinical studies have reported and validated its benefits in treating conditions of anemia, anxiety, asthma, blackheads, blood impurities, low energy, bronchitis, chest congestion, cholera, circulation, coughs, diabetes, diarrhea, eye and ear infections, fever, headaches, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infections, intestinal worms, joint pain, and scurvy, as well as helping to balance hormone levels. These are just some examples of more than three hundred reported ailments and diseases said to be cured by moringa.

In August 2012, I travelled to Samfya, Africa, on a mission trip where I spent two weeks providing education on the benefits of moringa and nutrition counselling. My work was done with the Samfya Community Care Providers (SCCP), a coalition of 24 churches in Samfya, Zambia, that have come together to provide care and support for over 1,000 AIDS orphans and the guardian families that have adopted them. The SCCP offers holistic programs to provide nutritional support for newborn babies of mothers with AIDS.

The following is excerpted from the 2012 Activity Plan for the SCCP:

“Moringa Tree Program: Milk formula is extremely expensive; most client families are unable to afford it. Without SCCP’s milk program, most mothers would continue to breast feed, thereby increasing the risk of HIV transmission. If mothers did stop breast feeding, it is likely that these young babies would not receive a balanced diet and be at risk of malnutrition. Moringa leaf powder can provide nutrition to both breast-feeding mothers and infants and help in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of AIDS. I witnessed first hand moringa being dispensed in the pharmacy and seedlings handed out to families to help strengthen the immune systems of malnourished children and individuals with HIV/AIDS. Moringa powder is added to infant’s diets while they are in the weaning process to increase the nutrition they receive. The Moringa Tree Program trains families living with HIV+/AIDS in moringa tree cultivation. For 2012, one hundred families were targeted; each family was trained on the benefits of moringa and the cultivation of trees. The SCCP has been providing, distributing, and educating moringa powder to infants and to critically sick people. Our mission in Africa is to help families grow the moringa tree and see an overall improvement in family health.”

It is without doubt that moringa is truly a miracle. It is said that its tiny leaves could help save millions of lives. Today, thousands of people in the world have started using moringa and moringa-based products. In my continued teachings and studies, my hope is to spread my knowledge by sharing the benefits with as many as possible.

Jennifer Reinert, MA, CHHC, AADP, coaches individuals in the areas of achieving optimal weight, food cravings, low energy, diabetes, digestive issues, and children’s nutrition. She also specializes in corporate wellness programming with extensive training from the University of the Rockies working toward a Doctor of Psychology in Health and Wellness (2013). She is completing her dissertation on the benefits of moringa
in the workplace. To contact her email: jenn@92nutrients.com and/or visit www.92nutrients.com.