March 30, 2011

malungay or Moringa

Malungay is another name for moringa the miracle tree which helps mothers produce more milk and children grow plump.

In Kapit, an education Officer, Jetie Ambin, introduce it to the local people and the schools. Within two or three years he saw the results : boarding school children were running around with more flesh on the bodies. And that was in the 70's.

My first encounter with Malungay was when I was given a noodle soup by a Filipino friend, Aunty Flor. She had cooked some noodles with a bit of chicken and some greens. The taste was completely different as I had expected sawi or mustard green. The Malungay in the soup was sweet and the texture very smooth.No photo description available.

The newspapers in the 90's announced it as a miracle plant. In no time, in Miri and else where enterprising businessmen and women started selling its seeds, leaves and powder as a health product. It was a runaway business. It is good for the eyes, physical strength, skin and people say that it is even anti cancer.

People should grow more moringa in their back yard and eat the leaves as vegetables.

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