Plant Fact Sheet

MORINGACEAE
Horseradish Tree
Moringa oleifera

Native originally to the Himalayan foothills of northern India, horseradish tree can be found widely planted throughout the tropical areas of the world. Well known in ancient times, the pleasant-tasting edible oil from this tree was highly valued by the Roman, Greek and Egyptian civilizations. Renewed interest in this plant has been sparked by the desire to find ways to ease nutritional and medicinal deficiencies in impoverished areas of the world from the tropics to the deserts. Recent tests on Moringa oleifera show that it may indeed merit the sobriquet of Miracle Tree.

Nutritionally, ounce for ounce, powdered Moringa leaves have seven times the vitamin C of oranges, four times the calcium of milk, three times the potassium of bananas, four times the vitamin A of carrots and two times the protein of milk. The one to four foot long pods lend the plant the common name of drumstick tree. They are also high in nutritional value and can be cooked like green beans when young. The flowers are high in calcium and potassium and must be cooked before consuming. The peeled root tastes like horseradish, hence the common name, but care must be taken as the root bark is toxic.

Medicinally, it has been found effective in the treatment of skin infections, lowering blood pressure, reducing swelling, healing gastric ulcers, lowering blood sugar and calming the nerves. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine of India has 300 uses for Moringa.

Powdered seeds have been shown to be more effective at purifying water than the chemical treatment currently being used, removing up to 99% of the bacteria present. Oil is derived from the seeds that doesn’t turn rancid, is odorless, burns clean; and can be used for cooking, cosmetics, perfume and lubrication. Comparisons have been made with this oil and jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) oil in the replacement of sperm whale oil.

Other uses of Moringa oleifera include: alley cropping, animal forage, cleaning agent, dye, fertilizer, gum, honey clarifier, honey producer, living fence, ornamental, plant disease prevention, pulp for paper, making rope and tannin for tanning hides.

Horseradish tree is fast growing, up to ten feet the first year, and matures at a height of thirty-five feet. It will bloom the first year from seed. It is adaptable from tropical, subtropical, semi-arid to arid frost-free areas. Where precipitation falls below ten inches a year, supplemental irrigation is advisable. Generally single-stemmed, regular tip pruning is recommended for greater leaf and pod production. In India, many cultivars are in use, reflecting local tastes and ensuring greater genetic diversity.

Moringa oleifera is the best known of the thirteen members of the family Moringaceae. The others occur from India, Arabia, northern Africa to South Africa and Madagascar. The heaviest concentration occurs in the horn of Africa; Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, with eight species. No two species grow together. The core area of distribution has been little visited, let alone studied from a botanical perspective. The Living Desert currently has five species of Moringa in its collection: M. hildebrandtii and M. drouhardii can be found in the Madagascar garden; M. stenopetala in the East African garden; M. oleifera in Village WaTuTu next to the Thorn Tree Grill and M. ovalifolia has not been planted out yet.