Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 20 views

    The Poor

    Uploaded by

    Apr Celestial
    Malunggay, also known as moringa, is described as the "poor man's vegetable" and the "miracle tree" due to its abundant nutrients and health benefits. It grows widely in tropical areas like the Philippines and requires little care. Malunggay contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants, more so than foods like oranges, carrots, spinach, milk, and bananas. All parts of the plant can be used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Government organizations in the Philippines have promoted malunggay for its ability to enhance health while providing an low-cost food source.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    The Poor

    Uploaded by

    Apr Celestial
    20 views1 page
    Malunggay, also known as moringa, is described as the "poor man's vegetable" and the "miracle tree" due to its abundant nutrients and health benefits. It grows widely in tropical areas like the Philippines and requires little care. Malunggay contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants, more so than foods like oranges, carrots, spinach, milk, and bananas. All parts of the plant can be used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Government organizations in the Philippines have promoted malunggay for its ability to enhance health while providing an low-cost food source.

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Malunggay, also known as moringa, is described as the "poor man's vegetable" and the "miracle tree" due to its abundant nutrients and health benefits. It grows widely in tropical areas like the Philippines and requires little care. Malunggay contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants, more so than foods like oranges, carrots, spinach, milk, and bananas. All parts of the plant can be used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Government organizations in the Philippines have promoted malunggay for its ability to enhance health while providing an low-cost food source.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    20 views1 page

    The Poor

    Uploaded by

    Apr Celestial
    Malunggay, also known as moringa, is described as the "poor man's vegetable" and the "miracle tree" due to its abundant nutrients and health benefits. It grows widely in tropical areas like the Philippines and requires little care. Malunggay contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and antioxidants, more so than foods like oranges, carrots, spinach, milk, and bananas. All parts of the plant can be used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Government organizations in the Philippines have promoted malunggay for its ability to enhance health while providing an low-cost food source.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    The Poor Man’s Vegetable

    by Rolando B. Acejo Jr.


     
     “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” a famous line we have heard frequently, says that eating apple makes you healthy and keeps you away
    from illnesses because of its nutritional content. But, an apple a day is such an expensive fruit not anybody can afford to buy. Good thing that
    there is an alternative way of being well which is naturally seen in the backyard.
     
    The Miracle Tree
     
                Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera Lamk is the scientific name) was once considered the “poor man’s vegetable” and lately known as “the
    miracle tree”. Others called it as a “nature’s medicine cabinet”. This was named by the scientists and health workers from all around the globe.
    Studies show that this vegetable is full of vitamins and minerals that are advantageous. This plant was already known and used in traditional
    societies across the world. Malunggay grows in tropical countries like Philippines. This tree is requires a little to no care. It has more nutrients
    than the other usual foods from which with similar health content. This includes: Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acid which fights a host of sicknesses
    including colds and flu. It is present in certain fruits (particularly citrus fruits) and vegetables; Vitamin A which acts as a shield against eye
    diseases, heart ailments, diarrhea, etc. Its role is to regulate tissues and membranes; Calcium which builds strong bones and teeth and helps
    prevent osteoporosis; Iron that is the main component of blood which carries out a vital function in the circulating of oxygen to different parts
    of the body; Potassium that is essential for of the brain and nerve functions; and, Protein, the basic blocks of our body. It contains argenine and
    histidine, two important amino acids especially for infants. The study made in India, states that malunggay has compounds (phytochemicals)
    that help cease the growth of cancer cells. It is said to be effective in treating ovarian cancer, among the host of other diseases like arthritis,
    anemia, heart complications, kidney problems, scurvy, asthma, and digestive disorder (ulcer, diarrhea, colitis, dysentery).
     
    A Productive Plant
     
                All parts of malunggay have valuable benefits for nutritional and therapeutic purposes. The leaves are commonly added in soups. The
    roots are used to make tea. And, the trunk, after its residue was extracted to its juice may used to clean wounds. Breastfeeding mothers are fed
    with malunggay broth to make nourishing milk for their babies. This vegetable helps in restoring skin condition, controlling blood pressure,
    and relieving headaches and migraines, aids to weight loss, reduces phlegm, facilitate relaxation and promotes sound sleep, and strengthens
    the immune system. Malunggay is now mixed with various products in the market which are best-selling.
     
    In comparison to other vegetable, the malunggay contains profitable nutrient rather than the others may offer. An ounce of malunggay leaves
    have the same Vitamin C content as seven oranges. It has four times the Vitamin A of carrots, three times the iron of spinach, the calcium of
    four glasses of milk and the potassium of three bananas.
     
    Government’s Plead
     
    A more than two decades ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) promoted this plant as a low-cost health enhancer in poor countries
    because of the cheap cost but various nutrients it provides. In fact, on a press release last July 21, 2010, former Senator Loren Legarda, under
    the advised Senate Bill No. 1349 (an act to promote the production, processing, marketing and distribution of malunggay mandating the
    creation of the framework for development plan, providing plans and other purposes, the Department of Agriculture (DA), in conference with
    the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), farmer’s groups, local government
    units, and the private sector), will be assigned to make a five-year Framework for Development converging on developing malunggay for food,
    medicinal, health, and commercial needs. According to Legarda, the scheme may benefit our agricultural and industrial production as well. The
    agriculture department deems malunggay as “the next big thing” in Philippine agriculture. The former DA’s Biotechnology Program Director
    Alice Ilaga clarified that malunggay can save lives, increase incomes, generate millions of job, utilize vast tracts of idle agricultural lands, make
    our country globally competitive, impact local and international market, and help reach socioeconomic equity.
     
    The most significant thing that we must not compromise is our health. Proper exercise, balance diet and eating healthy foods are relevant and
    an effective way to be in the good shape. For this manner, people need not to have or intake expensive vitamins and medicinal drugs because
    one can be well with the health advantages given by this green leaf. So, people can gain immediate health without budget concern.
     
    784 words
    Sources:
    http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2010/0721_legarda1.asp
    http://alternativeremedies.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/malunggay-the-miracle-vegetable/
    http://earthnews.pinaymom.org/2008/07/nutritional-value-of-malunggay-part-ii/
    http://www.pinoysphere.com/tag/different-malunggay-products-in-the-philippines/

    You might also like