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Drumstick plant is a medium-sized tree which measures
up to 12 ft in height. Its wild species are found in the Himalayan valleys
whereas the normal ones can be seen everywhere. It can be seen around
roadsides, at backyards, gardens and many more. It bears brown coloured bark
which is soft. Leaves are very small and grow in groups. During the flowering
season, the tree bears whitish-purple coloured flowers which are edible and
cooked as a curry. Lately, it develops into a well-grown fruit. When the fruit
is not mature it looks like the snake’s tail. When the fruit gets wholly
developed and thickens; inside it bears pods which has seeds like triangular
and bitter.
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Kingdom- Plantae Botanical name- Moringa oleifera Family name- Moringaceae English name- Drumstick plant, Horse-radish tree Hindi name- Munga, Sehjan, Sahijan Sanskrit name- Shigru, Shobheyeliner
§ Nutritions in Drumstick plant:-
§ Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C
§ Calcium
§ Iron
§ Potassium
§ Dietary fibres
§ Water
§ Carbohydrates
§ Protein
§ Sodium
§ Zinc
§ Phosphorus and many more
§
Uses of Drumstick plant:-
§ Firstly, the tender fruits are used to
prepare curries.
§ In South Indian culture, matured drumsticks
are used as an ingredient in ‘Sambar’
§ The tender leaves are rich in Iron hence
used in curries and soups even.
§ Many other cultures also use the pods to
prepare varieties of recipes.
§ Now, let us move to
the most important part of our topic. It is ‘medicinal and health benefits of
drumsticks’. Many of us dont know that thsi very plant is filled with curative
properties. So, have a look on the following ones-
1.
For Headache-
§ Take the root of
Drumstick plant and extract its juice.
§ Mix equal amount of its
root juice and jaggery.
§ Give nasya of 1 drop of this mixture.
§ It is highly beneficial
in headache.
2. For Eye disorders-
§ In case of
conjunctivitis, grind its leaves and tie the cake of the paste on the eyes.
§ Mix 50 gm juice of its
leaves in 2 teaspoon of honey; apply this as an eyeliner. It cures corneal
disorders.
§ In case of swelling of
eyes; mix equal quantities of the juice of its leaves and honey.
§ Put 2 drops of each in
the eyes.
§ It cures eye pain and
swelling.
3. For Bronchial Asthma-
§ Extract the juice of
Drumstick plant.
§ Mix equal quantities of
drumstick’s juice and ginger juice.
§ Give 10-15 gm of this
twice a day to the patient.
§ It cures Bronchial
Asthma.
4. For Epilepsy-
§ Give 20-50
decoction of its roots; twice a day. it helps to reduce convulsions.
5. For Dyspepsia-
§ Grind equal quantities of
Drumstick’s root, mustard and ginger.
§ Prepare tablets of 1 gm
each.
§ Give 2 tablets twice a
day to the patient.
§ Or, boil 2 teaspoon of
its root in 400 ml of water.
§ Boil till the water
reduce to 1/4th.
§ Give this to the patient
for gargles.
6. For Dog bite-
§ Mix and gring equal
quantities of drumstick leaves, ginger, turmeric, salt and black pepper.
§ Apply this on the swollen
area.
§ It cures swelling and
fever.
§ Give 10-15 gm of this
mixture to the patient twice a day.
7. For Gout-
§ Massage the
affected area with its seed oil. It is beneficial in curing gout and joint
pain.
8. For Fever-
§ Boil 20 gm of its
fresh root in 100 ml of water. Give this to the patient regularly. It is
helpful to cure long and old fever too.
9. For Digestion:-
§ Mix 2 gm ginger root in
10 gm juice of its root.
§ Give this to the patient
twice a day.
§ It enhances the digestive
power.
10. For Internal
Swelling-
§ Grind its bark in water.
§ Give 10 gm of this
solution to the patient.
§ It cures all types of
swellings.
§ Its bark is also known as
Indian penicillin.