Moringa has recently become the talk of metropolitan chic health shops in the West and a ‘cure-all’ craze on the internet. Many are curious about the new ‘super food’ and its impressive health benefits when taken as a supplement. The most well-known species is Moringa oleifera, a wondrous plant originally from India, now cultivated in many parts of the world, including tropical Africa. It is known by at least three common English names drumstick tree, due to its unique long pods, horseradish tree because its roots taste like horseradish, and Ben oil tree, after the name of the oil obtained from the seeds used in cosmetics. There is evidence in the scientific literature about the many positive health application of Moringa oleifera. It is rich in vitamins and amino acids, a cardiac and circulatory stimulant, anti-tumor, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol-lowering, anti-diabetic, hepato- protective, antibacterial, antifungal, and a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
In Ethiopia (and also in Kenya), we have another distinct species known botanically as Moringa stenopetala and by at least three other common names, the Cabbage tree, Aleko and Shiferaw. In south Ethiopia, the local people cook the leaves and eat them like cabbage, particularly when other foods are scarce. The leaves can also be dried and crushed into a powder and used as a base for soups and sauces. The seeds and root suspensions are as effective as aluminum sulfate in removing dirt, suspended matter, and even bacteria from polluted water samples. To treat 20 liters of water, about 2 grams of crushed seeds are required. Although more scientific papers on the species M. oleifera, some evidence is also emerging that shows the leaves of its African sister species M. stenopetala, growing exclusively in Ethiopia and Kenya, have blood glucose and high blood pressure-lowering properties. The traditional use of Aleko leaves includes against stomach pain and to expel retained placenta by women. More research work needs to be done on this species to determine to what extent its positive attributes match its Indian sister species: M. oleifera.