Moringa

PLANT

WRITTEN BY: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Alternative Titles: Moringa oleifera, drumstick tree, horseradish tree

Moringa, (Moringa oleifera), also called horseradish tree or drumstick tree, small deciduous tree (family
Moringaceae) native to tropical Asia but also naturalized in Africa and tropical America. 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.

Moringa trees can reach a height of about 9 metres (30 feet) and have corky gray bark. The leaves are bi- or
tripinnately compound and have oval-shaped leaflets with conspicuous swellings (pulvini) where the parts join. The
plants bear scented clusters of white pealike flowers with five stamens (male parts) held to one side. The angled
daggerlike fruits sometimes grow to 45 cm (18 inches) long and are explosively dehiscent.

https://www.britannica.com/plant/horseradish-tree

Star apple

PLANT

WRITTEN BY: The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Alternative Title: Chrysophyllum cainito

Star apple, (Chrysophyllum cainito), tropical American tree, of the sapodilla family (Sapotaceae), native to
the West Indies and Central America. It is cultivated for its edible fruit, which is the size and shape of an apple and
is named for the star-shaped core. The surface of the fruit is firm and smooth. Both the skin and the flesh, which is
sweet and tasty, vary in colour, ranging from white to purple. The tree grows about 7.5–15 m (25–50 feet) tall and
has purplish white flowers.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager.

https://www.britannica.com/plant/star-apple

Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers are widely used in traditional medicine, and the leaves
and immature seed pods are used as food products in human nutrition. Leaf extracts exhibit the greatest
antioxidant activity, and various safety studies in animals involving aqueous leaf extracts indicate a high degree of
safety. No adverse effects were reported in association with human studies. Five human studies using powdered
whole leaf preparations of M. oleifera have been published, which have demonstrated anti‐hyperglycemic
(antidiabetic) and anti‐dyslipidemic activities. These activities have been confirmed using extracts as well as leaf
powders in animal studies. A rapidly growing number of published studies have shown that aqueous, hydroalcohol,
or alcohol extracts of M. oleifera leaves possess a wide range of additional biological activities including
antioxidant, tissue protective (liver, kidneys, heart, testes, and lungs), analgesic, antiulcer, antihypertensive,
radioprotective, and immunomodulatory actions. A wide variety of polyphenols and phenolic acids as well as
flavonoids, glucosinolates, and possibly alkaloids is believed to be responsible for the observed effects.
Standardization of products is an issue. However, the results of published studies to date involving M. oleifera are
very promising. Additional human studies using standardized extracts are highly desirable. © 2015 The Authors
Phytotherapy Research Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Moringa potential ingredient for mouthwash, toothpaste

Researchers from Our Lady of Fatima University discovered the latest benefit of Moringa, locally known as
malunggay, as potential ingredient for mouthwash and toothpaste.

In the study, the results of the microbial in vitro test performed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños -
National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH-UPLB) showed that juice of Moringa leaves
inhibited the growth of Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans is bacteria found in the mouth and is the major cause of dental caries. This microorganism
efficiently metabolizes carbohydrates from sugars in the food to produce lactic and other acids, which
demineralizes the tooth enamel resulting to tooth decay. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection,
tooth loss, gum disease and other severe health problems.

No study found an effective remedy to totally eradicate S. mutans. This means the only prevention is to lessen the
production of lactic acid by proper brushing and flossing, use of mouth rinse and reduce the intake of refined and
process sugars such as those from sweets, colas and processed powdered sweeteners.

With the found capability of Moringa to prevent the growth of S. mutans, researchers hope to extend the
significance of the “miracle vegetable” in the dental field. As a starter, researchers recommended, “The showed
potential of Moringa in inhibiting the growth of S. mutans is a good indication that it can be used as an added
ingredient to toothpastes and mouthwashes.”

http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/r-d-updates/3812-moringa-potential-ingredient-for-mouthwash-
toothpaste