DRUMSTICK TREE
1. Common & Scientific Name + Family
Common Name: Drumstick tree / Moringa / Sahjan
Scientific Name: Moringa oleifera
Family: Moringaceae
2. Local Uses & Fun Facts
🍲 Edible Uses:
Tender pods (“drumsticks”) used in curries, sambhar, soups.
Leaves are eaten as vegetables, chutneys, or powders — highly nutritious.
Seeds yield edible oil (“Ben oil”).
🌿 Medicinal Uses:
Known as a superfood — rich in vitamins, calcium, iron, and antioxidants.
Used for anemia, malnutrition, high blood pressure, and inflammation.
🌳 Fun Facts:
Called “Miracle Tree” or “Tree of Life” because every part of the tree is useful.
Its seeds can purify water naturally by removing impurities.
3. Ecological Role
🌱 Soil & Climate Benefits: Grows fast, even in dry regions; prevents soil erosion.
🐝 Pollinator Friendly: Flowers attract bees and insects.
🌍 Sustainable Tree: Low water requirement, improves food security in dry zones.
4. Cultural Significance
🕉 Religious: Often considered auspicious in South Indian households; leaves used in rituals.
🍲 Food Culture: Essential in South Indian cuisine (sambhar), North Indian dals, and rural diets.
🌿 Symbolism: Represents health, vitality, and resilience.
🌎 Global Recognition: Promoted worldwide as a solution to malnutrition and food scarcity.