SIGRU (Moringa oleifera)

"The Indian subcontinent is home to the quick-growing, drought-resistant Moringa oleifera, also referred to as the drumstick tree. Belonging to the Moringaceae family, it is highly valued in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems for its nutritional, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic properties. Every part of the plant—leaves, seeds, pods, bark, and roots—is used medicinally or nutritionally."

Moringa oleifera Scientific Name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Brassicales
Family: Moringaceae
Genus: Moringa
Species: Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera Common Name

English: Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tree, Miracle Tree
Sanskrit: Sigru, Shobhanjana
Hindi: Sahjan
Tamil: Murungai
Telugu: Munagakaya
Malayalam: Muringa
Kannada: Nugge Mara
Bengali: Sajna
Marathi: Shevga
Gujarati: Saragavo

Moringa oleifera Uses

Nutritional Supplement - Leaves are rich in vitamins (A, C, B6), iron, calcium, and proteins, often used as a superfood.

Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant - Contains quercetin and chlorogenic acid, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Blood Sugar Regulation - Seeds and leaves have hypoglycemic properties useful in managing type 2 diabetes..

Cardiovascular Health - Helps reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, improving heart health.

Digestive Support - Bark and roots help in treating constipation, gastritis, and ulcers.

Joint and Bone Health - Traditionally used to treat arthritis, swelling, and bone weakness..

Reproductive Health - Improves libido, regulates menstrual cycles, and enhances lactation in mothers..

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Govt. of India, Ministry of AYUSH.

Fahey, J. W. (2005). Moringa oleifera: A review of the medical evidence for its nutritional, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties. Part 1. Trees for Life Journal.

Anwar, F., Latif, S., Ashraf, M., & Gilani, A. H. (2007). Moringa oleifera: A food plant with multiple medicinal uses. Phytotherapy Research, 21(1), 17–25.

Leone, A., Spada, A., Battezzati, A., Schiraldi, A., Aristil, J., & Bertoli, S. (2015). Cultivation, genetic, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Moringa oleifera leaves: An overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 16(6), 12791–12835.

The Wealth of India (Raw Materials), Vol. 6: L-M, CSIR, New Delhi.

Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L., & Chopra, I.C. (1956). Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi.

Fuglie, L. J. (2001). The Miracle Tree: Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics. Church World Service, Dakar.