BEST MEDICINAL USE OF DRUMSTICK

MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM.

Drumstick is a very popular backyard tree that grows to over nine metres high. It has a soft white corcky trunk and branches bearing a gummy bark. Each tripinnately compound leaf bears several small leaflets. The flowers are white and the three-winged seeds are scattered bu the wind. The flowers, tender leaves and pods are eaten as vegetable. Since the leaves are rich in iron, it is highly recommended for expectant mothers.

Medicinal Use of Drumstick:

• Urinary problems
• To reduce inflammation
• Earaches
• Dental caries
• As a cardiac stimulant in asthma
• Cough
• Scurvy
• Wounds and eye diseases
• Intermittent fevers, epilepsy, hysteria, palsy, chronic rheumatism, gout, dropsy, dyspepsia and enlargement of the liver.
• Paralysis

How to use:

• The bark of the root promotes the flow of urine.
• A hot decoction of the bark is used to foment inflamed parts.
• The juice of the root-bark is used in earaches.
• A few drops of the juice of the root-bark are placed in the cavity to relieve toothache.
• The bark of the stem is used as a cardiac stimulant in asthma, cough and other respiratory disorders.
• The young leaves are cooked and eaten to fight scurvy.
• The poultice of the leaves is applied in wounds and swellings.
• The juice of the leaves, mixed with honey is used for the treatment of eye diseases.
• The fresh root of a young tree is good for intermittent fevers, epilepsy, hysteria, palsy, chronic rheumatism, gout, dropsy, dyspepsia and enlargement of the liver and spleen.
• The paste of the root mixed with salt is applied to inflammatory swellings, rheumatic joints and paralytic parts.
• Decoction of the root is a useful gargle for hoarse throat.
• Tender pods are given for liver and spleen problems, articular pain, tetanus and paralysis.
• Oil extracted from the seeds is locally applied for painful gout and rheumatic joints.

Parts used:
The whole plant.

​Dose:
The juice of the root and other parts of the plant for external use, as needed.