Moringa the 'physician' in the backyard

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Friday February 25, 2011 00:00

Principal public relations officer at NACA, Lorato Mongatane said that the aim is to improve the nutritional status of Tloaneng residents including those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS in line with NACA's mandate of mitigating the impact of AIDS and reducing poverty among the affected. She said that good nutrition is critical for people living with HIV and AIDS and is an essential co-therapy that helps maximise the medical management of HIV.

Moringa, the 'magical' plant, has proved to have more value than some ordinary foods that people consume everyday. A food security officer, Richard Dikeme says Moringa has been scientifically proven to contain twice as much nutrients and micro nutrients than some foods consumed on a daily basis. He said that the plant leaves contain seven times the vitamin C in oranges, four times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A in carrots, double the protein in milk and three times the potassium in bananas.

Again he revealed that the plant leaves contains moisture making up to 74.42 percent of the chemical composition. It contains minerals such as ash, making up to eight percent, protein 16.66 percent, oil 1.70 percent, and fibre at 3.45 percent.  It also contains magnesium, sodium and phosphorus. 

Dikeme said that Moringa tree extracts are beneficial in that they boost the immune system, at the same time promoting metabolism, cell structure of the body; normal function of the liver and kidney, and proper digestion and promotes a healthy circulatory system.

He added that even though in most cases the plant is prescribed for chicken and cattle, the plant would not cause any harm to people who consume it. 'There should be no cause for concern, the plant is good for people too and we all know there are people who take it,' he said.

Dikeke said that as part of Botswana Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (BONEPWA) project aimed at strengthening HIV/AIDS mitigating mechanisms among smallholder farmers in Botswana, each support group member is provided with one Moringa tree seedling to plant at home. Leaves of the plant are later fed to chickens to provide essential nutrients.