Medicinal Plant Virtual Tour - HORSERADISH TREE

Moringa oleifera        |        Moringaceae       |       horseradish tree

Medicinal Properties:

This tree is a cardiac and circulatory tonic and used for antiseptic properties. It is used traditionally as a hypotensive and antidiarrheal agent. Studies have shown that the seeds have antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. The leaves and unripe pods are high in nutrition and are eaten as vegetables.  The essential oil is antifungal and acts as a powerful antioxidant. Its radical scavenging activity protects LDL from oxidation. An infusion of the root bark is dispensed for venereal infections and the treatment of fevers. The pounded root is mixed with salt and used as a poultice for swelling. In India, the root is used as a stimulant in paralytic syndrome and for the treatment of epilepsy. Juice from the leaves and stem bark inhibits staphyloccoccus aureus and is fungicidal to Candida albicans, helminthospirium saticum microsporum gyseum, and trichiphyton mentagrophytes. The 50% ethanolic extract of the root bark is antiviral to the vaccinia virus.

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Additional Resources to Explore:

• Link to the Campus Arboretum Species Description page
• Link to the Campus Arboretum Medicinal Plants page (for booklet, self-guided campus tours, or docent led tour information)