Malunggay Leaves - a Veggie Health Booster

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) leaves are rich in nutrients. It is also safe to eat because it is easy to grow and doesn't need pesticides. It grows best on moist soil and plenty of sunlight in your own backyard. It is best eaten on soupy dishes such as chicken soup, fish soup and pork soup. In chicken soup the basic veggie ingredient that goes well with it is young green papaya and lemon grass. In fish and pork soup it goes well with squash. It can also boost breast milk production; studies show that intake of malunggay capsules increased breast milk 3-5 days after giving birth.

In nutritional analysis one cup approximately 100 grams of malunggay leaves contains 3.1 protein, .6 grams fiber, 96 mg. calcium, 29 mg phosphorus, 1.7 mg iron, 2,829 mg. beta carotene, .07 mg thiamine, .14 mg riboflavin, 1.1 mg. niacin, 53 mg. vitamin C/Ascorbic acid. It also has antioxidant tocopherol/vitamin E in 45g. It has amino acids rarely found in plants such as methionine and cystine. In Asian countries wide cultivation of this plant is underway to address to poverty and malnutrition. It is now produced commercially in powder form, capsule, tablet and tea. It is also used in some manufacturer as additional ingredient to shampoos to boost hair growth and could also be added to skin lotions because of its high content of vitamin E.