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Food Science and Human Wellness 2016, 5(2): 49-56 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2016.04.001
Review Article | Open Access | Issue | Published: 11 April 2016

Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application

Show Author's Information Lakshmipriya Gopalakrishnanb,  Kruthi Doriyaa,  Devarai Santhosh Kumara( )
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ordnance Factory Estate, Yeddumailaram, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Department of Biotechnology, PES University, Bangalore, India

Peer review under responsibility of Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.

Keywords:
Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Moringa oleifera, Miracle Tree, Coagulant
Cite this article:
Gopalakrishnan L, Doriya K, Kumar DS. Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application. Food Science and Human Wellness, 2016, 5(2): 49-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2016.04.001
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Abstract Full text About this article

Moringa oleifera, native to India, grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is commonly known as ‘drumstick tree’ or ‘horseradish tree’. 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. It is used as potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial agent. 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”.


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About this article

Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application

Show Author's information Lakshmipriya Gopalakrishnanb, Kruthi Doriyaa, Devarai Santhosh Kumara( )
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ordnance Factory Estate, Yeddumailaram, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Department of Biotechnology, PES University, Bangalore, India

Peer review under responsibility of Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.

Abstract

Moringa oleifera, native to India, grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is commonly known as ‘drumstick tree’ or ‘horseradish tree’. 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. It is used as potential antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antimicrobial agent. 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: Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Moringa oleifera, Miracle Tree, Coagulant

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Received: 02 January 2016
Revised: 23 February 2016
Accepted: 03 April 2016
Published: 11 April 2016
Issue date: June 2016

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© 2016 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.

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Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Director Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad for their continued encouragement and support. LG thanks DSK for constant support and valuable suggestions in completing this manuscript.

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