Drumstick (Sahijan)
Also known as
Latin : Moringa oleifera
English : Drumstick
Sanskrit : Sigruh, Sobhanjanah
HJindi : Sahijan
Marathi : Sheraga
Tamil : Murunkai
Telugu : Munaga
Malayalam : Muringa
Kannada : Nuggi, Murunga
How it looks�It is a middle sized tree with grey bark and brittle branches. It has rounded leaves, white flowers and typical long fruit pods, with 3-sided seeds.
What we use�Roots, bark, leaves, seeds
What it does�Roots�digestive, carminative, constipating, expectorant
Bark�thermogenic, abortifacient, antifungal, cardiac stimulant
Leaves�anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic
Seeds�anti-inflammatory, purgative
How we use it�
In
stomach ulcers�The leaves are ground into a paste mixed in curd and taken daily.
In
sore throat�Apply a fine paste of drumstick leaves with a pinch of lime at the base of the throat at bedtime. Combine this therapy with a salt water gargle.
In
mouth ulcers�Take drumstick leaves liberally to cure mouth ulcers.
In
hiccough and breathing disorders�Make a decoction of the leaves and drink twice a day to obtain relief.
In
running nose�Inhale the vapours of the roots boiled in water to clear the nasal passages and bring out obstructing mucous.
In
worm infestations�The decoction of the bark along with honey acts as a good anthelmintic.
In
unripe abscess�All the parts of the drumstick tree are useful in an abscess in which pus does not form. Drinking the bark decoction, eating the fruit, and making a topical
application of the leaves are all highly beneficial.
In
itching�Apply a paste of the roots to relieve itching.
In
urinary stones�Make a decoction of the peel of the roots and drink it thrice daily, to break down small urinary stones naturally.
In
non-bleeding piles�The decoction of the bark is poured into a tub and the patient asked to sit in it in such a way that the pile masses are immersed in it. This done ir�regularly
prevents bleeding and shrinks the pile masses.
To
increase sexual vigour�Make a preparation of a tablespoonful of one egg white, 2 dates, 4 grated almonds and a pinch of saffron with some water. Take this preparation thrice a
week for a couple of months to feel sexually active and vigorous.
To
increase resistance�Make a curry with the leaves flowers and fruits of the tree to prevent frequent infections.
Modern Studies
1. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the root and flower of Moringa oleifera were found to have antihepatotoxic (liver protective) activity on paracetamol- treated rats in a
study in Trichy, Tamil Nadu.
2. In another study in Vadodara, the stem bark was shown to possess oedema suppressant activity.
3. In yet another study on mice in the Philippines, the seed extracts of Moringa Oliefera were shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antitumour activities.
