At a glance

Source : Current Protocols in Microbiology

Tags:  Moringa, tree, India, Africa, water, disease,

The magic useful tree

10 March 2010

Water-borne illness is a big problem in the developing world as a billion people rely on untreated surface water for daily needs. Now a study suggests a tree native to the lower Himalayas in India and grown in Africa, Central and South America, and South-East Asia may be an answer. Moringa oleifera is known by many names including “tree of life”. It is drought resistant, yields oil for cooking and lighting, and has pods leaves and seeds that are highly nutritious. Now research has shown that a powder made by crushing the tree’s seeds acts as a natural clearing agent for turbid surface water. The powder reduces cloudiness making the water look better and it kills between 90 and 99.99 per cent of bacteria in a water sample. The procedure can be done in homes, and while it would not eradicate all disease threat, it is a big step.