Bio Diversity Park

Common Name : Drumstick tree, Horse-radish tree

Hindi Name : सहजन | Scientific Name : Moringa oleifera
Family : Moringaceae
Uses : It is used as animal food, a poison, a medicine and invertebrate food, has environmental uses and social uses and for fuel and food. 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. The seeds are natural coagulant is extensively used in water treatment. Due to its medicinal properties it has been given names like “Tree of Life” or “Miracle Tree.” Flowers, pods, leaves, and even twigs are cooked and eaten. The leaves, which can also be eaten raw when young, are especially nutritious and are high in iron, potassium, and vitamin C. A horseradish-flavoured condiment is prepared from the crushed roots. Ben oil, extracted from the seeds, is used by watchmakers and in cosmetics; perfume makers value it for its retention of scents. It plays an important role in protecting the liver from damage, oxidation and toxicity due to the high concentrations of polyphenols in its leaves and flowers. Moringa oleifera oil can also restore liver enzymes to normal levels, reducing oxidative stress and increasing protein content in the liver.
Native: Pakistan to India
General Description:

M. oleifera is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree. It is a short, slender, deciduous, perennial tree that grows to about 10 m tall, slender with drooping branches; branches and stem are brittle, with corky bark. Leaves are feathery, pale green, compound, tripinnate, (30–60 cm long), with many small leaflets, 1.3–2 cm long, 0.6–0.3 cm wide, lateral ones slightly elliptic, terminal ones obovate, and slightly larger. Flowers are fragrant, white, or creamy-white, 2.5 cm in diameter, and borne in sprays. The stamens are yellow, and the pods are pendulous, brown, triangular, splitting lengthwise into three parts when dry, and containing about 20 seeds embedded in the pith. The pod has nine ribs on both ends and the seeds are dark brown with three papery wings.