Quick Help from the Horseradish Tree (Moringa Oleifera)

While mainly corn and rice are being consumed day in, day out, hidden hunger is on the rise. Some countries, such as India or Haiti use the horseradish tree (Moringa Oleifera) as a quick help against serious micronutrient deficiencies especially in the case of children and pregnant women.

The horse radish tree is deemed to be one of the world’s plants which are the most rich in micronutrients. Its edible leafs, roots and seeds for instance contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E, numerous minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium and proteins as well as all essential amino acids. In addition, antioxidative oils with antibacterial effect are gained from the seeds which are used among other things for the cleaning of drinking water. The fast growing horseradish tree is an undemanding plant that also thrives on meagre, dry soils offering protection against soil erosion. Although it is called “Never Dead“, the horseradish tree is falling into oblivion in Africa.

Persons who are actively involved in development aid show small farmers the techniques for the cultivation of the tree in gardens and how to convert its components into an accompaniment to rice and corn which is rich in micronutrients.

Because of its health-promoting characteristics, the horseradish tree was voted “Plant of the Month“ in September 2014 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Read and see more:

http://www.entwicklungshilfe3.de/vererben/projekte/weltweit/indien/baum-gegen-mangelernaehrung/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2cYu1aiGbw

http://theessenceofafrica.com/moringa-gegen-unterernaehrung-auf-haiti/

http://www.fao.org/traditional-crops/moringa/en/ u.v.m.