Medicinal virtues of the plant ‘Shigru’ have been known and appreciated in Bharat since the longest times known. Vedas are the earliest known documentation about the medicinal uses of plants in Indian literature. Rig Veda, the first of the four Vedas, documented the plant Shigru (commonly known as Moringa in English) as a domestic plant. In Kousika Sutra, Shigru was mentioned in the treatment of Krimiroga (worm infestation, anti-microbial). In Atharva Veda, Shigru is mentioned for Uchaadana Karma. The Dharma Sutra prohibits its utility as a toothbrush as well as in rituals.
The growing consumer knowledge of this plant’s numerous health advantages, in addition to its traditional use as a vegetable in many Asian countries, is one of the major factors impacting the Moringa market. Due to its extensive use in several pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and dietary supplement products, the business has expanded.
According to reports, the global moringa market size was worth around USD 9.5 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 18.2 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.5%. This growth is expected to be driven by Asia-Pacific. It is currently the world’s highest revenue generating product in the category of high value medicinal plants due to the growing knowledge about the benefits of moringa.
Acharya Charaka has mentioned Shigru in many medicinal formulations like agurvadi taila, kanaksheeri taila, kusthadi lep, etc. Charaka Samhita contains 26 references, Sushruta Samhita contains 32, Ashtanga Sangrah mentions Shigru in 35 references. In Ashtang Hridaya, about 35 references of Shigru are given. It is described in formulations like erandaadi taila, kshaar taila, vyoshaadi yoga. Many other ancient medical treatises such as Sharangdhar Samhita, Bhel Samhita, Harit Samhita, Vangasen Kaidev Nighantu, Dravyaguna Sangrah, Nighantusesh, Paryay Ratnamala, Gadnigraha, Madanpal Nighantu, Raj Nighantu, Rajvallabha Nighantu, Shabdchandrika, Shivakosh, Saraswati Nighantu and Sodhal Nighantu mention Shigru multiple times.
Interestingly it has 6 synonyms, each specifying a particular characteristic of the herb :
Shigru: It is teekshna in nature
Shobhanjan: It possesses many characteristic features and beautiful flowers.
Aksheev: It may cause infertility or it neither causes mada nor kapha prakop.
Tikshnagandha: It has a pungent smell.
Mochak: It provides relief from diseases.
Shaubhanjan: Its bitterness completely spoils the taste.
In various part of Bharat, it is known by the following vernacular names :
Sanskrit: Shobhanjan, Shigru, Tikshnagandha, Mochak; Bengali: Shajina; Hindi: Sahijan; Gujrati: Sargavo; Punjabi: Sohanjana; Sindhi: Suhanjido; Marathi: Sahjano; Tamil: Murungai; Telugu: Munga; English: Horse radish tree, drumstick
Moringa leaves are one of the most nutrient-dense leaves on the planet, which are packed with protein, essential amino acids, 27 vitamins and 46 antioxidants. That includes key nutrients like calcium, iron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. Moringa is rich in macro- and micronutrients and other bioactive compounds which are vital for the normal functioning of the body and prevention of many diseases.
Moringa was highly valued in the ancient world. Some historical instances are:
- Romans, Greeks and Egyptians extracted edible oil from moringa seeds and used it for perfume and skin care.
- Moringa oil was used for skin protection in the dry weather by ancient Egyptians.
- In ancient India, Mauryan warriors were fed Moringa leaf extract on the war front. The leaf extract was believed to give them extra stamina and strength.
- On the island of Jamaica, Moringa oil was used for culinary purposes, and was equal to the best Florence oil as an illuminant, giving clear light without smoke.
- In 19th century, plantations of Moringa in the West Indies exported the oil to Europe for perfumes and lubricants for machinery.
Due to its nutritional values, Shigru can be a good enriching food additive to human diet and also an animal feed fortifier. Adding fresh or dried leaves to the feed of milk cows increases milk production; this fact is of great importance to the developing countries to fight deficiencies in nutrition.
In an experiment, a leaf extract sprayed in plant crops revealed another utility for this plant, having beneficial effects on the growing rate, size and resistance on those plants and fruits. Moringa leaf tea was also studied, it demonstrated alterations in blood circulating neutrophils and concluded that Moringa tea has adaptogenic capabilities in cases of stress.
Seed powder has the capacity to purify water and remove heavy metals and organic compounds; an experiment showed a reduction of 80–99.5% in the turbidity of water and 90–99.99% of bacterial reduction. The flowers can also be a source of nectar and hence can be used to produce moringa honey.
Ayurvedic medicine has identified more than 300 diseases that could be cured with different parts of Shobhanjan. Parts of this plant which can be used are root bark, stem bark, leaves, fruits, seeds [dose as per the physician’s assessment].
It is widely taken as a nutrition supplement where a generalised dosage can be :
1. Moringa Capsules: 1-2 with water, preferably during breakfast.
2. Moringa Tablets: 1-2 with water, preferably during breakfast.
3. Moringa Powder: ¼-½ teaspoon to be placed under the tongue and swallowed slowly with some water.
4. Moringa Tea: ½-1 teaspoon powder in a cup of lukewarm water
*Do not add Moringa powder to hot water as that may break down the antioxidants present in it. / *All these doses must be cross checked with the attending Ayurveda physician
Physical benefits of Moringa
- Leaves: Increase lactation; help in treatment of typhoid, malaria, hysteria, rheumatism, viral infections, scurvy, helminthiasis, haemorrhoids, wounds, sore throat, headaches, bronchitis, eye and ear infections; cognitive enhancer; anti-cancerous; improve skin hydration; anti-wrinkles; reduce skin erythema; regulate hyperthyroidism; decrease acute lung inflammation.
- Pods: Help in hepatic and spleen cancer, diarrhoea, joint pain, colon carcinoma; anti-inflammatory; antioxidant and detoxifier.
- Seeds: Skin nourishing, moisturizing, antioxidant, skin cleansing; antiarthritic; antimicrobial; improve kidney functions; help in diabetes, neuralgia, inflammations, intermittent fevers, ophthalmopathy and hypertension.
- Flowers: Help in hypocholesterolemia, urinary problems, digestive problems, hysteria, splenomegaly, swollen lymph nodes, glands of neck; hepatoprotective on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity; laxative; prevent weight gain; aphrodisiac; abortifacient; anti-tumour and anti-ulcer.
- Roots: Hepatoprotective on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity; anti-inflammatory; anti-ulcer; antisecretory, and cytoprotective activity; reduce urinary oxalate and stone deposition in kidneys; help in dyspepsia, anorexia, verminosis, diarrhoea, colic, flatulence, otalgia, paralysis, inflammations, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, fever, strangury, vesical and renal calculi, ascites, ophthalmopathy, cough, asthma, bronchitis, cardiopathy, pectoral diseases, abscess and pharyngodynia, fatigue, anxiety, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, epilepsy, hysteria, paralysis, rheumatism, inflammations and various pains; act as cardiac/circulatory tonic.
- Bark: Antifungal; antibacterial; management of urinary tract infections; anticholesteremic and antilipidemic; hepatoprotective; helps in ringworm, ascites, fungal disease, eye diseases, delirium; cardiac and circulatory stimulant; prevents enlargement of spleen and formation of tuberculous glands of neck; destroys tumors and heal ulcers.
Some of its psychological benefits are:
· Root: Mildly calming and grounding. It enhances the feeling of serenity and balance in times of uncertainty.
- Root: Mildly calming and grounding. It enhances the feeling of serenity and balance in times of uncertainty.
- Leaves: Restore self-confidence and address indecisiveness. They induce mental clarity, thereby contributing to a feeling of assuredness.
- Seeds: Anti-depressant, mind-lifting; help in overcoming feelings of hopelessness.
- Flowers: Help let go of memories, guilt, emotional wounds and traumas.
*The writer is an Ayurveda physician, DST Woman Scientist Fellow, Department of NMR, AIIMS New Delhi, and founder of Pratha Ayurveda. She can be reached at doctor@prathaayurveda.in.
