What is the best tree for to grow?
As an urban farming instructor, that teaches people to grow
90% of their food needs in the smallest of places, like that of an apartment
with no yard, I have been asked more times than I can count, “What is the one
plant that I can grow that will help me the most?”
While my answer is not always the same, most of the time my
answer is Moringa Oleifera.
This plant is just amazing; it does so much for your body
and can be used in so many ways.
Now if you do any search on it, you will gain the feeling that
this tree can only be grown in places with hot climates like South America. That is simply not true. You can grow this tree anywhere, even cold places like Michigan.
About the best tree in the world
In one serving of Moringa Oleifera leaves, you can find:
272% daily value of Vitamin A
22% daily value of Vitamin C
41% daily value of Potassium
61% daily value of Magnesium
71% daily value of Iron
125% daily value of Calcium
46 Antioxidants
36 Anti-Inflammatories
18 Amino Acids
9 Essential Amino Acids
9 Essential Amino Acids
Here are more benefits of Moringa Oleifera:
Boosts energy levels
Improved digestion
Improved immune system function
Improved mood
Lower blood pressure
Protects the stomach lining
Treats stomach ulcers
Plus many more!
Here's a list of the top ten benefits of the Moringa Oleifera Tree!
1. In most cultures, the Moringa Oleifera is referred to as
the Miracle Tree or The Tree of Life and the majority of it is edible and can
be consumed by all ages. This means that the tree is truly useful.
2. Moringa contains more that 90 nutrients, 46 antioxidants,
and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds. It also has 18 amino acids, including the 9 essentials that our bodies need to survive but cannot manufacture ourselves
(and must be supplied through diet). All this is 100% naturally occurring in
the Moringa, whereas most multivitamins and calcium supplements available on
the market are made using synthetic ingredients that the human body absorbs
very minimal nutrients from.
3. The flowers can be cooked down and are said to taste of
mushrooms. The flower juice is useful for treating urinary problems and as a
natural laxative. Tea made from the flowers has also been used as a common cold
remedy, that really works. I do not know how many times I have felt a cold coming on, and I drank this as tea and never gotten sick.
4. The seeds can be eaten like peas or roasted like nuts but
are often ground into powder and used in treatment of scurvy skin diseases,
insect bites, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramps, STDs, and boils, due to their
antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. They have been used as a relaxant
for epilepsy. And after oil has been extracted, the seed cake can be used as
fertilizer or to purify water. (Yes my fellow Flint MI residents, I said purify water. Even that nasty lead tainted water we are all dealing with.)
5. The oil extracted from the seeds can resist rancidity and
is used to treat bladder and prostate problems, as well as stomach disorders.
It can relieve headaches when rubbed on the temples and is also used in
perfumes, skin care, and hair oil. It is also being studied for its potential
as a biofuel. It is easy enough to use as a cooking oil or even a lamp oil.
6. The leaves are commonly known as the most nutritious part
of the Moringa and have no proven side effects to this date. Gram for gram,
these leaves have 7 times the Vitamin C of an orange, 4 times the Vitamin A of
carrots and calcium of milk, 3 times the potassium of bananas, the Vitamin E of
spinach, and the iron of almonds, and 2 times the protein of yogurt. Regularly
consuming Moringa leaves has been linked to a boosted immune system, lower
blood pressure, improved digestion and mood, and weight loss due to its high
fiber and low fat and calorie levels. They’re also regularly used to treat
fevers, bronchitis, anemia, and eye and ear infections.
7. The roots and bark are used to relieve lower back or
kidney pain, for cardiac and circulatory problems, and as a condiment (much
like horseradish), tonic, or tea for inflammation and digestion. (the roots and
bark have all of the properties above but are more concentrated and should have
more care taken when used as a medicine because the alkaloid spirachin (a
nerve-paralyzer) has been found in the roots).
8. Moringa has been used as a sexual virility supplement to treat
erectile dysfunction in men and increase sex drive (as an aphrodisiac) in
women. It has also been known to prevent pregnancy. In case a woman is having a
baby, it will increase and nourish breast milk production. I can not say if this is true or not but both myself and my wife admit that eating this has given us more energy, even at the end of the day (If you know what I mean). So maybe that is what it means by a sexual virility supplement.
9. In Jamaica, the sap is used for a blue dye and in Haiti
the trees are grown as windbreaks and to help reduce soil erosion because it is
fast growing (Flowering begins within the first 6 months of planting) and drought resistant. It is also in full-leaf at the end of the dry season when
most other foods are typically scarce. with proper drying methods you will never run out of this plant.
10. Moringa has been advocated as, a natural nutrition for
the tropics, and is being used to combat malnutrition (due to its high protein
and fiber content) by major NGOs such as Trees for Life International,
Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, and Volunteer Partnerships for
West Africa.
But beware that with the awareness increasing of the
benefits of Moringa products. Demand is skyrocketing and there’s already low
quality product control happening. Be sure to read your labels and make sure
the product you want has only 100% Moringa Oleifera with no fillers or
additives, If you buy this to try it. In truth it grows so fast you can just buy a plant and know what your getting.
How to Plant, Cultivate, Grow Moringa
What could be easier than walking into your yard, and
gathering healthy leaves from your own grown Moringa plants to put on the
table?
The Moringa plant is a fast-growing, drought resistant tree
that can reach up to 15 feet in its first year.
The Moringa tree is very easy to grow. Simply plant seeds or
cuttings in a sunny spot.
The Moringa tree is a plant that grows mainly in
semiarid, subtropical areas. but it can be grown anywhere the only downside is if it is not grown in a subtropical area, it most likely will not produce seed pods, but the leaves are the best part anyways!
How to grow Moringa in any backyard
1. Measure an area of land to recondition the soil in
the measured area by digging 2 ft deep and mixing the soil with equal
proportion of manure and filling it back into the pit.
2. Water thoroughly and allow the resulting mixture to
decompose for around six weeks make sure the soil is dry.
3. Sow your moringa and harvest after 60 days of growth
Moringa Oleifera grows best in direct sunlight under 1600 feet altitude. It
tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers a neutral to slightly
acidic (pH. 6.3-7.0), well-drained sandy or loamy soil. but in
waterlogged soil the roots have a tendency to rot. (In areas with heavy
rainfall, trees can be planted on small hills to encourage water run-off).
Presence of a long taproot makes it resistant to periods of drought. Trees can
be easily grown from seed or from cuttings. Temperature ranges are 25-35
degrees Celsius (0-95 degrees Fahrenheit), but the tree will tolerate up to 48
degrees in the shade and it can survive a light frost. with out ant help by cutting your tree down at the start of winter and covering the ground around the tree with hot compost high in manure and then a layer of straw Lastly cover the area with a tarp or plastic dome. and uncover in spring after the last frost.
Moringa seeds have no dormancy period, so they can be
planted as soon as they are mature and they will retain the ability to
germinate for up to one year. Older seeds only have spotty germination.
Moringa trees will flower and fruit annually and in some regions twice
annually. During its first year, a Moringa tree will grow up to 16 feet in
height and produce flowers and fruit. Left alone, the tree can eventually reach 40 feet in height with a trunk 2 feet wide; however, the tree can be annually
cut back to one meter from the ground. The tree will quickly recover and
produce leaves and pods within easy reach. Within three years a tree will yield
400-600 pods annually and a mature tree can produce up to 1,600 pods.
IN THE NURSERY
Use poly bags or pots the bigger the pot the better I have even grown some thier hole life in a trashcan. The soil mixture for the pots should
be light, with. 3 parts soil to 1 part sand. Plant two or three seeds in each pot, one to two inches deep. Keep moist but not too wet. Germination will
occur within 5 to 12 days, depending on the age of the seed and pre-treatment
method used. Remove extra seedlings, leaving one in each sack. Seedlings can be
out-planted when they are 2-3 feet tall.
3 tips of planting in pots
1. Soak the seeds in water overnight before planting.
2. Crack the shells before planting.
3. Remove shells and plant kernels only.
HARVESTING
When harvesting pods for human consumption, harvest when the
pods are still young and snap easily. Older pods
develop a tough exterior, but the white seeds and flesh remain edible until the
ripening process begins.
When producing seed for planting or for oil extraction,
allow the pods to dry and turn brown on the tree. In some cases, it may be
necessary to prop up a branch that holds many pods to prevent it breaking off.
Harvest the pods before they split open and seeds fall to the ground. Seeds can
be stored in well-ventilated sacks in dry, shady places.
For making leaf sauces, harvest seedlings, growing tips or
young leaves. Older leaves must be stripped from the tough and wiry stems.
These older leaves are more suited to making dried leaf powder since the stems
are removed in the pounding and sifting process.
Bonus:
3 quotes from free people to help inspire you to start on your path to freedom.
1. “You think your job is financial security but in truth it is financial slavery!”
2. "If you are paying monthly bills you are not free!"
3. "I work towards freedom not for myself but for the next generation."
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