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Copyright © 2022 The Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under
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Citation: Alhassan Y. J, Sanchi I. D, Dorh L. E, Sunday J. A (2022). Review of
the Nutritive, Medicinal and General Economic Potentials of Moringa Oleifera.
Cross Current Int J Agri Vet Sci, 4(1), 1-8.
Published By East African Scholars Publisher, Kenya 1
Cross Current International Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences
Abbreviated Key Title: Cross Current Int J Agri Vet Sci
ISSN: 2663-2454 (Print) & Open Access
DOI: 10.36344/ccijavs.2022.v04i01.001
Volume-4 | Issue-1| Jan-Feb, 2022 |
Review Article
Review of the Nutritive, Medicinal and General Economic Potentials of
Moringa Oleifera
Alhassan Y. J
1*
, Sanchi I. D
2
, Dorh L. E
3
, Sunday J. A
4
1
Department of General Studies, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
2
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Federal University of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria
3
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Nigeria
4
Department of Agricultural Science, Joda international School, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
*Corresponding author: Alhassan Y. J | Received: 17.01.2022 | Accepted: 25.02.2022 | Published: 28.02.2022 |
Abstract: This paper reviews the Nutritive, Medicinal and General Economic Importance of Moringa Oleifera. Moringa
oleifera also known as drum stick, horseradish tree or miracle tree is native to India and grows in the tropical and
subtropical regions of the world. Moringa can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and hence widely
cultivated across the world. With its high nutritive values, every part of the tree is suitable for either nutritional or
commercial purposes. The leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins and other essential phytochemicals. Extracts from the
leaves are used to treat malnutrition, augment breast milk in lactating mothers. M. oleifera seed, a natural coagulant is
extensively used in water treatment. The scientific effort of this research provides insights on the use of moringa as a
cure for diabetes and cancer and fortification of moringa in commercial products. This review explores the use of
moringa across disciplines for its medicinal value and deals with cultivation, nutrition, commercial and prominent
pharmacological properties of this “Miracle Tree”.
Keywords: Review, Nutritive value, Medicinal, Economic potentials and Moringa oleifera.
INTRODUCTION
Moringa oleifera also known as the Miracle
Tree, Drum Stick or Horseradish Tree grows in many
tropical and subtropical countries as explained by
(Nambiar et al., 2010). It is grown for commercial
purposes in places like South and Central America,
Africa, India, Hawaii, Mexico and Asia. It was named
”horseradish” tree‟ on the basis of ground root taste
preparations, It was also named “drumstick tree” on the
basis of its immature seed pods appearance and the
“ben oil” tree on the basis of seed-derived oils. In some
places, the immature seed pods are eaten, while the
fresh leaves are commonly used as a basic food due to
their high nutritional composition. According to Foidi et
al., (2010) M. oleifera tree belongs to the family of
Moringaceae, it is commonly called “drumstick tree” or
horse radish tree, and locally called “zogale” in Hausa,
Nigeria. It was well known for its multipurpose
attributes, wide adoptability, and ease of establishment.
Its leaves, pods, and flowers are packed with nutrients
important to both human and animals. M. oleifera is a
native to north India but is now found throughout the
tropics. It is also known as horse radish tree, drumstick
tree, miracle tree and mothers best friend, it grows fast
and reaches up to 12m tall. The bark is grey and looks
like cork peeling in patches (Williams et al., 2013). M.
oleifera is adopted to a wide range of loamy to clay
loam, it does not withstand prolonged water logging, it
is preserved to prefer a neutral to slightly acidic soil
been introduced with success to pacific tolls where soil
pH is commonly greater than 8.5, it does best where
temperature ranges from 25 °c to 40 °c and optimum
annual rainfall total of 500mm.lt grows well from sea
level to 10 m in elevation. M. oleifera has its origin in
the Arabia and India. Today, the tree is common to
landscape all over the tropical area of the world, from
south Asia to West Africa. It is most visible in parts of
east South Africa. M. oleifera is not a nitrogen fixing
tree, but its fruits, flowers and leaves all contain 5% to
10% protein on average. All of these parts are eaten
widely as vegetables; provide excellent food, for both
humans and eaten like green beans. Evison et al.,
(2015) posits that the roots of moringa taste similar to
horse radish and is popular food (leaves) in the East