Role of a Miracle Tree (Moringa oleifera) in Healthcare

Abstract

BACKGROUND Moringa oleifera Lam is a plant found in Himalayan foothills. A large corpus of literature exists about moringa and its medicinal values. Various medicinal and health properties of moringa make it a part of various phytomedicinal preparation.It is used as a part of routine diet and has anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-tumour properties. It is also used in production of seed oil, fodder and medicine. It is highly useful as a nutritional supplement, in the management of various diseases and in the management of public health problems. Moringa oleifera Lam is an important part of South Indian diet. Its antibacterial properties were found to be effective against E. coli, Salmonella typhi and Shigella dysenteriae. Hence, it may be used as a low-cost material for water purifications in poor communities. This plant has significance in dental health due to its antimicrobial effect on bacteria present in dental plaque like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. There has been limited research on efficacy and safety of various Moringa oleifera (MO) extracts and parts in oral healthcare. MO has found its applications in various aspects of public health. As a plant with high nutritional value and relatively low cost, it has been endorsed as a plant with immense potential as for use as nutrient supplement in the parts of the world with widespread malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. Further research needs to be conducted in the field of pharmacological management and prevention of oral disease. KEY WORDS Antimicrobial, Dental Diseases, Moringa oleifera, Streptococcus mutans.