For the past one month, the Centre for Urban Agriculture Development (CUAD) has been actively promoting Moringa trees for every home because it is a tree that every farmer can and should make money from, every part of the plant can be processed into very marketable products.

This week, we will be learning about the many uses of this miracle tree. Moringa is a unique plant; experts have discovered that every part of the tree is medicinal and also an effective plant for the treatment of malnutrition in the third world countries. Experts agree that the long-term solution to malnutrition is the use of foods rich in the essential nutrients often lacking in people’s diets. Modern scientific research is proving that Moringa leaves are one of the richest sources of such nutrients.

Even small amounts of the leaves could protect thousands of people from suffering and death. I passionately recommend this miracle tree to every household in Nigeria because of its many uses. The CUAD sells the seedling of Moringa for just N400. Just some few trees in your backyard can improve the health of the whole family and will also provide income to households through the sale of leaves and pods.

The many uses of Moringa

· Moringa contains the nine essential amino acids that you must get from food! Recent studies have shown that these are necessary to develop a healthy human brain
. Moringa leaves contain:
- 7 times the vitamin C in oranges
- 4 times the calcium in milk
- 4 times the vitamin A in carrots
- 2 times the protein in milk
- 3 times the potassium in bananas
- 3 times the iron in spinach
- Once established, it sends a tap root down to the water table making it drought tolerant.
- It is a nitrogen fixer and can be used as a fertilizer
- it is a livestock feed
- It grows tall and lacy if left unchecked and so is good for forest gardening

·    The seed is used to clarify water
·    The seed oil never goes rancid and is used in fine machinery
·    The seed oil burns clean and so is a good source for heat and light
·    Every part of the tree has beneficial properties. it is a sustainable food source for third world countries where malnutrition is prevalent
·    Moringa leaves could practically wipe out malnutrition in our Nation.
·    They grow quickly even in poor soil and bloom 8 months after planting.
·    People in several countries have found that Moringa leaves are quite acceptable to taste, especially when added to common foods

Moringa Leaves - Uses

• Leaves rubbed against the temple can relieve headaches.
• To stop bleeding from a shallow cut, apply a poultice of fresh leaves.
• There is an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect when applied to wounds or insect bites.
• Extracts can be used against bacterial or fungal skin complaints.
• Leaf tea treats gastric ulcers and diarrhoea.
• Eating Moringa food products is good for those suffering from malnutrition due to the high protein and fibre content.

* Leaves treat fevers, bronchitis, eye and ear infections, inflammation of the mucus membrane
* The iron content of the leaves is high, and they are reportedly prescribed for anemia in the Philippines.
* Dried Moringa leaves treat diarrhoea in Malawi, Africa.
* The powder ground from the seeds is also used in the treatment of scurvy skin diseases (common bacterial infections of the skin).

Moringa Flowers- Uses

• Flower juice improves the quality and flow of mothers’ milk when breast feeding.
• Flower juice is useful for urinary problems as it encourages urination.

* In Haiti, villagers boil Moringa flowers in water and drink the tea as a powerful cold remedy.