CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Moringa oleifera the tree of life commonly called ‘’miracle tree’’ or

‘’drumstick tree’’ the plant moringa oleifera is a native to the Indian sub-

continent and naturalized in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world, it

belong to the family moringacae and is a deciduous tree or shrub, fast-growing,

drought resistance , average height of 12 meter at maturity.

Moringa is easily found where they are known, growing in honested farmland

and hedges it grow across the major vegetation belt of Nigeria with exception of

the mangrove, fresh water swamp . Moringa has been used for thousands of

years and is very well known in other part of world. This plant has fourteen

other varieties of species and they are as follows: Moringa arborea, Moringa

borziana, Moringa concanensis, Moringa drouhardii, Moringa hildebrrandlii,

Moringa longituba, Moringa ovalifolia, Moringa peregrine,Moringa pygmaea,

Moringa rivae, Moringa ruspoliana and moringa stenopetala. (Azubougu C

U,2012)

1.1 CLASSIFICATION

KINGDOM: plantea

Sub kingdom: Tracheobionta

Super Division: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: Dillenildae

Order: Capparales

Family: Moringaceae

Genus: Moringa

Species: Oleifera

1.2 ORIGIN AND HABITAT

Moringa Oleifera is an exotic species brought in to the country from the sub-

himalayan tract of india, the rapidly growing tree is the most widely cultivated

species of the manogeneric family (also known as Zogale, Allam, horse redish

tree, benzolive tree, kelor, marango, mlonge, moonga, Eweile, Bagaruwar

maka, )was utilized by the ancient roman,Greek and Egyptian it is now widely

cultivated and has become naturalize in many location in the tropics.

It is commonly referred to as ‘’Miracles Tree ‘’ because almost all its part have

been utilize either as food, medicine or to clarify turbid water it has been used

as fertilizer, lives stock feed, manure machine lubrication oil, perfume and hair

care product. (Arafat M.Goja 2013)

1.3 CLIMATIC AND SOIL REQUIREMENT

Moringa olefeira grows best in desert sunlight 500meters attitude. It tolerate a

wide range of soil condition but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic well drained

sandy or loamy soil. Minimum annual rainfall requirement are estimated at

250mm with maximum of over 3000mm but in water logged soil, the root (in

areas with heavy rainfall trees can be planted on small links to encourage water

runoff) presence of all long root make resistance to period . of drought tree can

easily be grown from seed or from cutting Temperature are 25-35 degree

celcuios(10-95 degree fahrenheight) But the tree will tolerate up to 48degree in

the shade and it can even survive alight frost. Moringa seed has not dormancy

period so they can be planted as soon as the mating and they will retain the

ability to germinate for up to one year. Moringa tree with flower and fruit

annually and some region twice year. During its first year, a moringa tree will

grow up fruit leaves alone the tree can eventually reach a hight with a trunk

30cm wide the tree can be annually cut back to 1 metre from the ground. It will

quickly reach and produce leaves and pod within easy reach . Within three years

a tree can produce up to 1,600pod. (Fulgie and Sreeja 2001)

1.4 ECOLOGY AND CULTIVATION

Moringa Oleifera is strictly a tropical both under wet and seasonal conditions

but can be found up to 1300m altitude and in areas with annual rainfall of 75-
2.50mm. it can be grow in various soil but blossom best in fertile, well drained

sundy loams and is drought resistance.

Moringa is reported to tolerate annual precipitation of 4.8 to 40.3dm annual

temperature of 18.7 to 28.5 c and Ph of 4.5 to 8.

Moringa olefeira is easily cultivated by cutting or by seed. Seed can be sown

either directly or in container, no seed unpredictable quality, Stem cuttings are

usually prepared because they root easily.(Daniyan Safiya et,al 2011)

1.5 PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) Is a highly value plant it has a remarkable

range of medicinal use with high nutrition value which are 7times the vitamin C

of orange, 4times the calcium of milk,4times the vitamin A of carrots, 3times

the potassium of Banana,2Times the protein of yoghurt, its like growing multi-

vitamin of your doorstep, Moringa even conteins argentine and histidine two

amino acids especially important for infant (Tree for life journal 2006)

Moringa olefeira is very important for it medicinal value, various part of this

plant such as leaves, root, seed, bark, fruit, flower and inmature pod act as

cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess anti-tumor , anti pyretic, anti

epelptic, anti inflammantory, anti ulcer, anti spasmodic, antihypertensive, anti

cholesterol lowering, anti diabetis, anti bacterial and anti fungal activities. They
are being employed for treatment of different illness in traditional system of

medicine (Azuobougu C U,2012).

The characteristic of moringa oleifera seed oil are especially desirable best on

the current trends of replacing poly unsaturated fatty acid. Moreover, the oil has

the capacity to absorb and volatile substance and is therefore valuable in the

perfume industry (Azubougu C U.2012).

1.5.1 MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Below are some amazing facts about this miracle tree

1-Moringa leaves: relieve headaches, expel worm, relieves swelling and heals

skin diseases, inflammation of the eyes and ears bronchitis and increase milk

production (quality and quantity) in lactating women i.e breastfeeding

2-Moringa flower: are blood tonic, treat tumors and enlarged spleen relieve sore

throat, and treat anxiety.

3-Moringa pods and seed: purify water, treat tooth ache from tooth decaying,

expel worms treat problem of liver and spleen and relieve joint pain.

4-Moringa Roots: Are used as a laxative and to treat spasms of the colon,treat

circulation problems, high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, asthma and

hiccoughs.

1.5.2 TRADITIONAL HERBAL REMEDIES WITH MORINGA OLEIFERA.

Many people said that moringa had helped greatly to improve their general

health.

1. Cuts and wounds : pound fresh leaves in to a paste, cover the wound with

this paste bandage and leave or 3 days.

2. A women has given birth and is bleeding pound fresh leaves add a little

water and give her to drink.

3. Chronic sore :Take some root, wash them and scrape the outside layer off

heat in water use water to wash the wound, then dress as outlined in the

above

4. Epilepsy :pound the bark or the roots of a mature tree.Add tender leaves

and a little water smear this paste over the face and the whole body also

put a little of th pounded root in a handkerchief and inhale.

5. To bring fever down : Dip a moringa branch into water and stroke the

whole body, then give the moringa tea to drink.

6. Snake and scorpion bites: pound the root and add leaves and apply to the

bite stop the poison from spreading.

7. Short sight: Wash the flower in salt water chew and swallow. take three

times daily or cook the flower in palm oil.

(www.moringawealthandhealth.com)

1.5.3 OTHER IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

It is consider as one of the worlds most useful tree almost all part of moringa

can be used as food, medicine or has beneficial properties. In tropics, it is used

as forage for livestock and in many countries as a source of food or medicine.

Moringa micro-nutrient liquid as anthelmintic (kill parasite) and adjuvant (to

acid or enhance another drug) It is used as a metabolic conditioner to aid against

endemic disease in developed countries (Oludon et al. 2012).

For centuaries, people in many countries have used moringa as traditional

medicine for common ailment, clinical studies began to suggest that atleast

some of these claims are valid with such great medicinal values being suggested

by traditional medicine. Further chemical testing is very much needed. In india,

it is traditional treatment of asthma, chest congestion, cholera, cough, fever,

abnormal blood pressure, pimples, sprains and tuberculosis, in Malaysian and

Puerto Rico, it is traditionally used for intestional worms. It is also used in

treatment of skin infection, sore and used for glandular swelling and lactation in

Philippines. (Mishra et al,2011).

Over the past two decades, many reports appeared in mainstream scientific

journals describing its nutritional and medicinal properties. Its utility as non-

food product has been described. Every part of moringa tree is said to have

beneficial properties that sere humanity (Mishra et at, 2011)

1.6 ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Moringa is one of the most useful tropical trees, The relative ease with which it

propagates through both sexual and asexual means and its low demand for soil

nutrients and water after being planted makes its production and management

easy. Introduction of this plant into a farm which has a biodiverse environment

can be beneficial for both the owner of the farm and the surrounding eco-system

(Fulgie, 2000)

1.6 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To examine the medicinal value of moringa oleifera.

2. To described clearly the importance of moringa to the society.

3. To know the health benefit of moringa to human body.

4. To encourage entrepreneur to innovate moringa based industries.

5. To increase production of moringa and processing it, to proude source of

income.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Moringa is relatively short-live reaching only 20years average. Becouse it is so

easy to establish, however this limitation dose not encourage cultivation of this

very useful and adaptable tree.(Mayde 2000).

 CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERETURE REVIEW

Since the beginning of human civilization , medicinal plant have been used

by mankind for its therapeutic value. Nature has been a source of

medicinal agent for thousands of years and an impressive number of

modern drugs have been isolated from traditional medicine. The plant

based ,traditional medicine systems continues to play an essential role in

health care, with about 80% of the worlds inhabitants relying mainly on

traditional medicine for their primary health care (Owolabi et al, 2007).

Medicinal plants are plant containing inherent active ingredients used to

cure disease or relieve antioxidant, antimicrobial antipyretic effects of the

phytochemical in them (Adesokan et al, 2008). According to world

health Oganization (WHO, 1977) ‘’a medicinal plaant is any which in

one or more of its organ contain substances that can be use for the

therapeutic purpose (Okigbo, 2009).

Moringa oleifera is one of the richest plant source of vitamin A, B, C, D

and K (Anwer and Bhanga, 2003; Babu 2000) The moringa plant has been

consumed by human (Iqbal et al; 2006) the vital mineral present in

moringa include calcium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc it

has more than 40 natural anti-oxidant moringa king and queens in their

diet for mental alertness and healthy cardio vascular system, promote

normal blood glucose level. It also improves eyesight, mental alertness and

bone strength. It has potential benefit in malnutrition, general weakness,

lactating mother, depression and osteoporosis. It is also used to make an

efficient fuel, fertilizer and livestock feed. Moringa oleifera has been

purposed to be a good source of nutrition and naturally organic health

supplement that can be used in many therapeutic ways (MC Burney et al:

2004; Faliey 2005, Dan Mallam et al; 2001).

Moringa was highly valued in the ancient world. The Roman Greek and

Egyptian extracted edible oil from the seed and used it for perfume and

skin lotion. In the 19th century plantation, of moringa in the western indies

exported the oil to Europe of perfume and lubricant to machinery, people

in many country have use moringa as tradicinal medicine for common

ailments. Clinical studies have begun to suggested that atleast some of

these claims are valid, with such great medicinal value being suggested by

tradicinal medicine, further clinical testing is very much needed. A study

was done in Pakistan to examine the physio-chemical characteristic of

moringa oleifera leaf and seed oil form a wild province of Pakistan. The
moringa oleifera leaf exhibited an oil yield of 38.8% proteins, fiber,

moisture and ash content were 31.65, 7.54, 8.90 and 6.65% respectively.

The moringa oleifera contains high quality edible oil (up to 40% by

weight). In haits the oil Gas been used as general culinary and salad oil it

resemble olive oil in its fatty acid composition (Abdulkarim et al; 2005).

The oil is also use as lubricant for fine machinery, such as time piece, for it

little tendency of deteriorating and becoming sticky (fold et al; 2001).

More over the oil has the capacity to absorb and retain volatile substance

and is therefore valued in the perfume industry.The moringa oleifera leaf

powdered are mixed with water after hours the water is fluted to get

purified water. The changed protein molecules can serve as nontoxic

natural poly peptide to settle mineral particles and organic in the

unification of drinking water, vegetable oil deposition juice (sugarcane)

and beer (foidl et al; 2001). Recently, there is an increasing Trent to

evaluate some indigenous cheaper material for waste water treatment.

Current studies report that moringa seed and pots are effective sorbets for

removal heavy metal and volatile organic compounds in the aqueous

system (Akhtar et al; 2006, Sharma et al; 2006). It can be added in

oxidation lagoons of waste water treatment unit to coagulate algae as well.

The algae are removed by sedimentation, dried and fulverized, and then
are use as profain supplement for livestock (foidl et al; 2001). The

moringa is of economic importance in the production of several

commodities such as food, livestock feed and medicines. Traditional

medicine has along history of saving people all over the world (Cheng

2000).

Nikolaus Foidl and Dr. Gabrielle Foidl, two Austrian scientists living in

Nicaragua, have developed intensive methods of cultivating Moringa.

They along with their associate Leonardo Mayorga, have been conducting

their research in Nicaragua since the early 1990s. They have collaborated

with the University of Hohenheim, Germany and with Dr. Michael

Kreuzer, ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Zurich,

Switzerland. Their intensive cultivation methods were developed under

experimental conditions on plots ranging in size from 0.5 to 4 hectares.

Foidl and his associates have experimented with various uses of Moringa

leaves and green stems, including their use in cattle fodder. Following the

Foidl study, a study was conducted by Dr. Nadir Reyes Sanchez. Dr.

Reyes is on the Faculty of the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

Department of Animal Nutrition and Management at the Swedish

University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden (Foidl et al.,

2001). These two studies in Nicaragua showed that supplementing cattle

feed with the leaves and green stems of Moringa can increase milk

production by 43-65%, and increase daily weight gain in cattle by up to

32%. Recently a new benefit of Moringa was suggested: the leaves seem

to contain a substance that stimulates plant growth and increases crop

production. Several years ago, Mr. Nikolaus Foidl came across a reference

to a study by a Mr. Singh of India. It said that an extract from Moringa

leaves seemed to stimulate the growth of plants.

About two decades ago, in the southern states of India, and especially in

Tamilnadu, M. oleifera was cultivated as single trees in homesteads, round

cattle sheds, on farm boundaries, and as isolated plants in fences and as

groups of trees on village waste lands. In the early 1990s in southern

Tamilnadu people started growing perennial types - Moolanoor as an

intercrop on field scale and their allies were cropped with vegetables and

Sorghum. This system evolved as Moringa offered some protection to

alley crops from drying winds during summer and Moringa provided some

additional income. With the migration of people from south to north

India, the demand for Moringa products increased. In all the places

concerned, with their differing conditions, cultivation of M. oleifera was

not given the required attention and systematic production practices were

not followed as people failed to notice that it was a commercially viable

alternate crop in Arid Zone Horticulture. (Anbarassan et al., 2001). In the

Indian subcontinent M. oleifera has long been cultivated for its edible

fruit: today these are exported, fresh and in tins, to consumers in Asia and

Europe. The edible leaves of the tree are very nutritious and are consumed

throughout West Africa as well as in some parts of Asia. Powder from

seed kernels works as a natural coagulant which can clarify even very

turbid water, removing up to 99% of the bacteria in the process. We need

to explore therapeutic, nutritional and benefit of this gift of nature reported

to be one of the world's most useful trees. Moringa has received attention

in many countries in the tropics and sub-tropics and its leaves, pods and

seeds form part of the traditional cuisine in these countries. Although

Moringa is used in West, Central and East Africa and although it grows in

some parts of South Africa, the plant itself, as well as its uses, are mostly

unknown to South Africans in general (National Research Council, 2006).

Literature study and a few informal discussions held in Tshwane and

Mokopane in the Gauteng and Limpopo provinces of South Africa

respectively indicated that although some people use Moringa in their diets

(mostly Indians) its usage is not documented in South Africa. However,

the listing of Moringa as an herb in South Africa in a recent publication

(Roberts, 2007) may be an indication that awareness of the plant in South

Africa is on the increase. There is therefore an opportunity to introduce

Moringa as a food source, which could lead to an increase in diversity of

the dietary intake, especially among rural populations of South Africa. It

has been shown in a recent survey that 33% of South African children

under the age of six suffer from vitamin A deficiency (Coovadia, 2003).

Moringa as 11,300 IU per 100 g edible portion. The original source did

quote the value as beta carotene, which should read 11,300 IU beta

carotene per 100 g edible portion (McBurney et al., 2004). Babu (2000)

reported vitamin A content as 3767 IU per 100 g edible portion. A

publication of Kuhnlein (2003) quoted Moringa in Niger as containing

5880 μg beta-carotene per 100 g edible portion. This data of Kuhnlein

(2000) is recommended by McBurney et al., (2004). An initiative was

launched by FAO to analyse the nutrient composition of traditional leafy

vegetables so as to standardise the nutrient content per 100 g edible

portion (FAO, 2008).

According to Verma et al. (2000) Moringa Oleifera is a fast growing tree

being planted in Indian on large scale as a potential source of wood for the

paper industry. The wood provides a pulp that is considered suitable for

paper,wrapping, textiles and cellophone, in Jamaica exudates is used for

blue dye.
 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 STUDY AREA

Damaturu town, the capital of Yobe State, northestern Nigeria. Damaturu

became the capital of Yobe State in 1991 the town lies in a plains region that

covered by Savanna and supports crops of millets, sorghum, guinea corn

,peanuts and groundnuts the town market centre on the road between Potiskum

and Maiduguri.

3.2 LOCATION

The town of Damaturu is on the A3 highway and has an estimated population

of 44,268. Damaturu is the headquarters of the Damaturu Emirate at the one

time part of the Ngazargamu Emirate based in Geidam.

3.3 LONGITUDE AND LATITUDE

The Damaturu city of country Nigeria lies on the geographical coordinates of

11044,N, 11057’50E (the world Gazetter retrieved, 2012).

3.4 RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE

Damaturu has hot and dry climate features in the northern part for most of the

year in the southern part especially in the rocky area of Damaturu areas, it is

hotter and cooler for most part of the year. The hottest month are March, April

and May with temperature ranging 390 – 400centigrade? The period of rainy

season in Damaturu varies from place to place but generally last for about 120

days in more than 140 days the south. The annual rainfall range from 500m –

1000mm and the rainy season is normally from June to September, in the north

and May to October in the south the two vegetation zone in Damaturu, namely,

the Sahel in the north and the Sudan Savanna in the south have been severely

under threat of desert environment there by creating and semi-and conditions

(Isiyaku G. O 2011).

3.5 COMMUNITY TRIBE

The Damaturu Local Government is dominated by different tribe e.g Kanuri

which is occupied a large number of people or more than half of the population

and other tribe like Fulani, Ngizim, Kare – Kare, Hausa, Bolewa, Ngamo, Burah

and other some minor tribe in the Local Government the occupation of the

Local Government people is mainly agriculture practice, and Government

workers, (civil servant).

3.6 MATERIALS
Structural questionnaire were distributed to the maringa oleifera dealers the

target audience for the Medicinal and Economic importance of moringa

oleifera.

3.7 SAMPLE OF THE STUDY

A total of 120 questionnaires will be distributed out in Damaturu central/

bimdigari/ fawari ward

3.8 DATA ANALYSIS

The data obtained, use subjected by statistical analysis and actual percentage

method.