Cultivation and Useful Parts of Drumstick

Morphology, Cultivation and Distribution of Drumstick:

Drumstick is the perennial tree that is found commonly in South India. It is grown mainly for its Nutritional and Medicinal Properties. This tree is native to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

It is known as Moringa oleifera that belongs to the family Moringaceae. It is also known by other names (synonyms) such as horseradish, kelor, marango, munakkada, murungkai, mlonge, mulangay, nébéday, saijhan, and sanjana.

English: Sonjna Moringa oleifera in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The tree grows quickly and is cultivated as an important crop in India, Philippines, Ethiopia, Sudan, West, East, South and Tropical Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida and Pacific Islands.

What are the useful parts of the Drumstick?

All parts of the drumstick tree are having medicinal, nutritional and industrial value.

Drumstick Pods and fruits: The pods or fruits of drumstick are used as a vegetable in Indian Cuisine like curries and soup. The drumstick soup is a popular South Indian Food.

English: The elongated drumstick-like pods of Moringa oleifera, that gives the tree its name – the drumstick tree. Locality: Colombia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Drumstick Leaves: Crushed drumstick leaves are used for domestic cleansing. The drumstick leaves are rich source of iron and thus helps in the treatment of many ailments.

Leaves of Moringa Oleifera (Photo credit: ValMan)

Drumstick Seeds: The powdered seeds are used in filtration process for clarifying honey, sugar cane juice and to purify water. The seeds produces oil that is sweet in taste and is non-sticky in nature. This oil (known as Ben Oil) is used in preparing salads, for lubricating machines, hair care products and in perfumes.

The seeds of drumstick may be eaten raw or in foods as roasted seeds in curries, or steeped in tea.

Drumstick Roots: The fresh roots acts as a rubefacient and vesicant. The roots are applied as a plaster for inflammation or swellings. The roots are prescribed in case of bites by rabid animals.

Drumstick Flowers: The flowers acts as a stimulant and they increase the flow of bile.

Moringa oleifera flowers (Photo credit: jemasmith)

The drumstick is rich in iron, calcium, protein, Vitamin C and carotenoids and thus helps in preventing malnutrition among growing children and teens.