Moringa oleifera, more commonly known as the Malunggay leaf or horseradish tree in other countries, is an herb that grows all around South Asia. It has several characteristics that make it a popular herbal ingredient, but why exactly is it considered the best all-around herb? Let's take a look at its characteristics.

Packed with Nutrients

Whereas a lot of fruits and vegetables focus on specific nutrients and vitamins to enhance, Malunggay packs so much nutritional value. Nutrients such as protein, amino acids, Vitamin A and Vitamin C provide a host of benefits in one package. However, it's important to remember that Malunggay by itself is not a super herb. It's true that it is extremely healthy, but it provides the same amount of nutrients as most other healthy herbs.

However, never mistake Malunggay as a "super herb" that can single-handedly prevent cancer.

The truth is, a lot of articles can be misleading about the benefits of Malunggay. It's no lie that Malunggay is a beneficial and healthy herb. In fact, 6 ounces of Malunggay contain more Vitamin C compared to a 6-ounce orange.  

However, Malunggay is not meant to be eaten 6 ounces at a time. It is a supplementary herb, and to say it contains more Vitamin C per ounce than oranges is like saying an ounce of salt has more sodium than an ounce of french fries. For visuals, that is 2 tablespoons of salt vs. 11 french fries. Instead of an alternative, treat Malunggay as a supplement to other nutritious food to give it a healthy boost.

Easy to Grow

Malunggay is a hardy plant and can grow almost anywhere. Not only that, seeds have no dormancy period, meaning it can be planted at any time once they're matured. There is a reason why it's such a popular remedy in the provinces with no access to our urban pharmacies and hospitals. Malunggay is a tough plant that can grow even in seasons of drought, where other herbs are less likely to survive. Not only that, it is plentiful so there's no danger of supplies running low. 

Easy to Combine

Malunggay can be turned into a powder with relative ease, making it a fantastic supplement to a host of other healthy things. A common practice is milling Malunggay into flour for Malunggay-based dough. It offers some variance to the dough's taste and texture while being healthy at the same time. 

Additionally, you can use the leaves of Malunggay for tea. It's quite bitter, but it is very healthy and a bit cheaper than most other types of tea due to being a local product in most Asian countries. Some people even use leaf extract as an effective skin oil!

Conclusion

While Malunggay may not be the super herb that some people hype it up to be, that doesn't mean it isn't a very good herb. It developed its reputation of being the super herb thanks to its jack-of-all-trades applications, easy to grow nature, and of course, the multitudes of nutrients one can gain from an ounce of leaves.