Moringa olifera (shigru): a miracle tree for its nutritional, ethnomedicinal and therapeutic importance

Traditional medicinal plants have long been used to treat various ailments in the primary health care system. Shigru (Moringa oleifera) is the most widely cultivated species, fast-growing, drought-resistant, native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in north western India, and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas. It has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of this plant are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine. The leaves are an excellent source of vitamins (especially Vitamin A, B and C), minerals (calcium, iron) and protein. The different parts of this plant are used for the cure of arthritis and joints disorders, malnutrition, blindness, diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia, urinary tract problems, kidney stones, to induce lactation in nursing women and related ailments. The various health and nutritional benefits acquired by the use of shigru have been reviewed and discussed in this article.