A review of properties, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of Moringa oleifera: integrative approach on conventional and traditional Asian medicine
Authors
Diana Meireles
ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
João Gomes
YIDAO, Acupuncture and TCM Center, Porto, Portugal
Lara Lopes
ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Mariana Hinzmann
ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Jorge Machado
ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Moringa oleifera L. from the Moringaceae family is a perennial tree widely cultivated in many tropic regions and easily grown even in adverse conditions. M. oleifera is also known as the miracle tree, which for centuries has been indicated for traditional medicine. With no reports of side effects, in doses achievable by ingestion, different parts of M. oleifera is used to treat several conditions, such as malnutrition, diabetes, blindness, anemia, hypertension, stress, depression, skin, arthritis, joints and kidney stones disorders. This plant also showed capacity of helping in maintenance of the cardiovascular system health, blood-glucose levels and providing anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity as well as the regulation of urinary tract and lactation in nursing women. The seed and leaves powder has water purification properties through flocculation. It also supplements the food in the human diet and in the fortification of livestock feed, especially in developing countries. So, M. oleifera properties have also been applied to cosmetic and byproducts industries due to the high nutritive and protective properties of its seed oil. According to the holistic or traditional medicine, M. oleifera has very relevant therapeutic properties and applications depending on the constitution, somatic and psychological needs of patients. It is usually referred as a natural product that can treat different physical and psychological health aspects, offering an energetic action and structural rebuilder of the body and promoting emotions of highly positive attitudes towards life. The high and specific immunological potential of M. oleifera leads us to suggest an in-depth study to assess the hypothesis of conferring a supportive effect against Covid-19 disease.
Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Drumstick tree, Miracle tree, Medicinal plant, Cosmetics, Food supplement
Author Biographies
Diana Meireles, ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
CBSin, Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal
João Gomes, YIDAO, Acupuncture and TCM Center, Porto, Portugal
CBSin, Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal
Lara Lopes, ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
CBSin, Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal
Mariana Hinzmann, ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Jorge Machado, ICBAS, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira no. 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
CBSin, Center of BioSciences in Integrative Health, Porto, Portugal
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