While you may have only seen the word “moringa” in the last few years, how much do you know about it? This plant from “the miracle tree” has been used by cultures all over the world for thousands of years. But what are the parts of a moringa tree and what can they be used for?

Julie Curtis, sister of Kuli Kuli CEO Lisa Curtis, works as a Peace Corps volunteer with female moringa farmers in Benin, West Africa. She works hard to help build a moringa processing center for the women’s cooperative she’s involved with.

Here’s Julie’s unique perspective on the tree she works with every day. We hope you enjoy!

What are the parts of a moringa tree and their benefits?

Although if intensely cultivated moringa can resemble a bush, under normal circumstances, moringa is one very miraculous, beautiful tree. It is native to India and is used in developing nations, including my current home of Benin, West Africa.

moringa seeds

Although Kuli Kuli focuses on the most nutrient dense part of the tree, the leaves, every single part of the tree from the seeds, roots, trunk, flowers, and leaves, has nutritional, medicinal and technical benefits.

In this article, we’ll review the main benefits from each part of the moringa tree. Kuli Kuli also summarizes the 10 Reasons to Eat Moringa Everyday in one of their latest articles.

Ready to learn more about this supergreen? We’ll explore, part by part, how the moringa tree earned its name “the miracle tree.”

The Seeds

moringa seeds

When asked by Beninese what a “yovo” (white person) like myself is doing living here I tell them I am here to work with moringa. Majority of the people know what moringa is and about half of those who do will proceed to tell me how they pop a seed every morning in order to lose weight, cure their malaria or give them magic powers. There are some misconceptions floating around in regards to the seed.

Moringa is widely known in India as the drumstick tree due to the common practice of harvesting the long seed pods before they are fully developed and preparing them similar to as you could with green beans.

The seeds, once developed, can be dried and planted or eaten as is, as is the case in Benin. Although eating a seed every morning may not give you superpowers (I tried), it does have similar benefits to eating the leaves.

The Roots

The roots of the moringa tree have been used for their therapeutic properties dating as far back as the early Roman, Greek and Egyptian times. Although the roots actually have the highest nutrient quantities than any other part of the tree, I do not advise digging up the roots and making a hearty stew quite yet. When consumed in large enough quantities, the toxins found in the root can paralyze the nervous system and cause death.

That said, the threat of death does not stop people around the world from using moringa roots. Moringa roots are known for their antibiotic properties and are used to treat a variety of conditions such as asthma, digestive disorders, gastritis, inflammation and skin disorders. It is even used by women in the more rural parts of  India as a form of permanent contraception.

The Trunk

Similar to the roots, the bark of the moringa tree has antibiotic properties. It is used to help treat everything from sexually transmitted diseases, gout, and even arthritis. Also similar to the roots, due to the high concentration of antibiotics, again, it can be dangerous if used inaccurately.

In Benin and in most countries where moringa grows, the bark is more commonly used as animal fodder and the trunk itself as fencing.  

The Flowers

In many parts around the world, moringa flowers are considered a delicacy. Some remark their taste similar mushrooms and can be used in salads or fried and eaten on their own. It is also common practice to drink moringa flower tea.

In Haiti they say the tea helps cure the common cold. In the Ayurvedic practice, the moringa flowers either brewed into a strong medicinal tea or a pressed juice. This juice is used to treat urinary tract infections and as a supplement for breastfeeding women to increase lactation.

Kuli Kuli has a whole article on the Why Moringa is Good for Women, which explains more on this.

The Leaves

The most user-friendly and nutritious part of the tree is the leaves. Not to be fooled by their small size, moringa leaves are incredibly powerful as a nutritional supplement. Beninese generally make the leaves into a vegetable sauce coupled with their staple starch, a corn flour based mashed potato-like substance called ‘pate’.

The protein in moringa is on par with more expensive alternatives such as meat, fish, and eggs—protein sources many Beninese don’t often include in their diets due to cost. 

About thirty years ago when moringa was first introduced to Benin it was seen as the “poor man’s food.”  Those in rural villages were quicker to include the leafy green in their diets because it grew year round and paying for vegetables was not always an option.

Now that knowledge is spreading throughout the country the perception is shifting and people from all socioeconomic classes are starting to include either the fresh leaves or the powder in their diets.

I do not lose hope, little by little, “petit à petit,” the world will know the power of moringa.  

Be sure to check out other articles on our blog and follow us @kulikulifoods for more!

moringa seeds

Follow us @kulikulifoods or leave us a comment so we can see some of your favorite ways to enjoy the benefits of this miracle tree. 

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