“The miracle tree” Moringa
oleifera is the tree from which the drumsticks (popularly called ‘sahjan’) is
obtained have been used for culinary purposes, immense nutritional benefits and
use in traditional medicine.
The nutritional value of Sahjan is well established now and it has become a promising food for developing countries where malnutrition is prevalent.
The tree of life, Moringa or drum stick tree is considered to be the most nutrient rich plant on earth.
Drumstick ≡ 7 times Vitamin C in oranges
Drumstick has emerged as a valuable food resource to prevent malnutrition and other childhood diseases such as childhood blindness associated with vitamin deficiency, diabetes, blood sugar, viral infections, and endless diseases which result from lack of nutritional elements in the diet.
The nutritional value of Sahjan is well established now and it has become a promising food for developing countries where malnutrition is prevalent.
Drumsticks and Food Facts
- The drumsticks are prevalent as part of cuisine in India.
- In South India, the pods are used to prepare a variety of sambhar and other curries.
- In West Bengal of India, drumsticks are made into a variety of dishes mixed with poppy seeds, coconut and mustard.
- The state of Maharashtra uses drumsticks in preparing specialty sweet and sour curries.
- In Gujarat and Maharashtra, the pods are used in preparing a spicy curry preparation known as saragava ki kadhi.
- They are also used sometimes to add flavor to the food.
- Tender drumstick leaves are also used for garnishing vegetable dishes and salads.
Nutrition Value of
Drumsticks
The tree of life, Moringa or drum stick tree is considered to be the most nutrient rich plant on earth.
Drum stick is a tree that
is extremely nutritious and has many potential and healthy uses.
In a gram per gram
comparison:
Drumstick ≡ 7 times Vitamin C in oranges
4 times Vitamin A in carrots
4 times Calcium in milk
3 times Potassium in banana
2 times Protein in yoghurt
4 times Fiber of oats
9 times Iron of spinach
Drumstick has emerged as a valuable food resource to prevent malnutrition and other childhood diseases such as childhood blindness associated with vitamin deficiency, diabetes, blood sugar, viral infections, and endless diseases which result from lack of nutritional elements in the diet.
All parts of the plant are edible and the
content of minerals, protein and vitamins is outstanding. It is loaded with
nutrients, oxidants and healthy proteins.
The various constituents
present in it are:
- Proteins
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Iron
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Sulphur
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Copper
- Essential amino acids
- All parts of the tree, the small, white flowers, the rounded leaves, the drumstick pods, seeds and fruits are used for different purposes in traditional medicine and for their nutritional value.
- Juice of drumstick is mixed in milk and given to children for strengthening the bones of children and also provides them calcium.
- Drumsticks are commonly used as blood purifier.
- Drumsticks should be eaten by pregnant ladies to prevent any pre and post-delivery complications.
- Drumstick soup is taken for relief from chest congestion, cough and sore throats.
- Water in which drumsticks have been boiled is inhaled for comfort in asthma and lung diseases.
- Leaves are taken for their benefits in catarrhal affections.
- A curry is made from unripe pods to remove the intestinal worms.
- A soup made from pods is taken in diet for enlarged liver and spleens, articular pains, tetanus, weakness of nerves, paralysis, pustules, patches and leprosy
- Drumsticks in the form of juice or as such is given to the infants and growing children as tonic.
- A mixture of drumstick juice and lime applied on the face adds to the glow of the face.
- Leaves rubbed against the temple can relieve headaches.
- A poultice of fresh leaves is applied to stop bleeding from wounds.
- The powder ground from dried drum stick leaves is used in the treatment of scurvy skin diseases.
- Flowers juice improve the quality and flow of mother’s milk when breast feeding.
- Flower juice is useful for urinary problems.
- The mature pod seeds are roasted, pounded and mixed with coconut oil and seed oil are applied to the problem area for the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp, boils and sexually transmitted diseases.
The various ailments for
which drumstick has been used in the treatment of the following diseases which
even has clinical evidence now:
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Asthma
- Blackheads
- Blood impurities
- Bronchitis
- Cold
- Chest congestion
- Cholera
- Conjunctivitis
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Eye and ear infection
- Fever
- Swollen glands
- Head ache
- Abnormal blood pressure
- Hysteria
- Joint pain
- Psoriasis
- Respiratory disorders
- Scurvy
- Semen deficiency
- Sore throat
- Sprains
- Tuberculosis
No comments:
Post a Comment