Moringa – A Miracle Tree with Surprising Value

Moringa, also known by various names such as the “miracle tree,” “wonder tree,” “万能 tree,” “life-saving tree,” “horseradish tree,” “drumstick tree” (due to the shape of its fruit), and “Bel oil tree,” has the scientific name Moringa Oleifera Lam (M. Pterygosperum Gaertn) and belongs to the Moringaceae family.

According to Dr. Huynh Tan Vu, a level II specialist and lecturer at the Faculty of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, as reported by VietNamNet, moringa is a highly nutritious vegetable.

A common plant in Vietnam turns out to be a "treasure" abroad – even picking up the seeds to sell can bring in good money.

Moringa leaves contain 18 types of amino acids and 46 types of antioxidants. When compared to other foods, 100g of fresh moringa leaves contain 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 4 times more calcium than milk, 4 times more vitamin A than carrots, 2 times more protein than yogurt, and 3 times more iron than spinach.

Some notable benefits of moringa include:

• Heart disease, cancer prevention, and liver/kidney protection: Moringa leaves are rich in vitamin C, zinc, and other compounds that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to cancer. Saponins found in moringa help protect the liver and kidney tissues. Flavonoids, hyperoside, rutoside, terpenoids, oleanolic acid, and β-sitosterol in the leaves have strong antioxidant properties that can prevent heart damage and maintain heart health.

• A natural remedy for HIV patients: Moringa helps improve nutrition and serves as a natural medicine for those who are HIV positive.

• Antibacterial properties: Extracts from moringa exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Candida albicans and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, effectively preventing fungal infections.

• Good for digestion: Parts of the plant like leaves, roots, seeds, bark, fruits, and flowers contain moringinin, which stimulates digestion and treats dysentery. The high fiber content in moringa leaves softens waste, stimulates bowel movement, and improves constipation.

Additionally, moringa is used externally to treat skin infections and soft tissue inflammations.

A common plant in Vietnam turns out to be a "treasure" abroad – even picking up the seeds to sell can bring in good money.

However, according to VTV, some precautions should be taken:

• If consumed as food, moringa should be eaten only 2–3 times per week, and only during the morning or noon, not in the evening, as its high nutritional content can affect sleep.

• Pregnant women should be cautious and ideally avoid consuming moringa.

• Due to its high calcium content, prolonged use can lead to excess calcium and kidney stones.

• Its high vitamin C content also means people with stomach ulcers should be cautious.

In Vietnam, moringa grows wild or is commonly cultivated in the central and southern regions.

In India, moringa is considered a "national treasure" or a "miracle tree." It holds great value to the Indian people.

A common plant in Vietnam turns out to be a "treasure" abroad – even picking up the seeds to sell can bring in good money.

The entire plant — including trunk, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and roots — contains trace elements and valuable minerals. Especially the seeds, which are a popular food in India due to their high nutritional value. Young seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, while mature seeds can be shelled, dried, and ground for longer storage.

In Vietnam, fresh moringa leaves are sold at around 40,000 VND per kilogram. Organic varieties can cost over 200,000 VND/kg. Moringa seedlings are priced between 28,000 and 39,000 VND per plant. Additionally, moringa powder and moringa seeds are widely available online.

Not only popular in India and Vietnam, moringa also became a high-value commodity in China when it was first introduced there in 2014. Moringa seeds were advertised with appealing features like "healthy and safe," "rich in calcium and fiber," and "low in fat, high in protein." At one point, the price of moringa seeds in China reached over 600 RMB (more than 2 million VND) per kilogram. Currently, the price has decreased significantly.