Drumstick tree – An explicable miracle

Abstract

People these days have become aware and are looking for products that provide benefits beyond nutrition. Drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera) of the family Moringaceae is one such tree that is having immense nutritional as well as medicinal uses. People often call it a “Miracle Tree”. Drumstick tree, also popularly referred to as Moringa in the scientific literature, can be a focus for health and economic related potential in various developing countries due to its easy cultivation in adverse environmental conditions and large availability. It can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and that is why cultivated across the world. Every part has been used for a variety of ailments in the indigenous medicine of South Asia. Nutrients of this wonder tree are exploited for a variety of purposes. It is well-known as “one of the most amazing trees God has created”, each and every part of this tree including root, seed, fruit, leaves, flowers, gum, and bark is a rich storehouse of many nutrients that are proteins, vitamins and minerals. Moringa oleifera is referred to as panacea and can be used to cure more than 300 diseases like diabetes, malnutrition, CVD’s, cancer, liver fibrosis, anemia, dementia, and various others. The medicinal potential of this tree derives from secondary metabolites including tannins, saponins, alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, resins, and steroids. M. oleifera has versatile utility as medicine, nutraceutical, functional food, thus this is considered to be the most useful tree globally. Traditional uses and pharmacological properties of M. oleifera made it a true miracle tree. Conclusively, the present review is an attempt to provide information about the nutritional and therapeutic properties of the drumstick tree.