Shigru (Drumstick Tree / Moringa)
Moringa (Drumstick Tree / Moringa)
Moringa oleifera
The drumstick tree — leaf powder dense in iron, calcium and protein, used for depletion and anaemia.
Drumstick tree · Tree · Parts: Leaf, Pod, Seed, Bark
- Taste (rasa)
- Pungent, Bitter
- Energy (virya)
- Heating
- Balances
- Kapha, Vata
What it is used for
Benefits
- Nutrient-dense leaf used for tiredness, low iron and poor appetite
- Anti-inflammatory support for joints and swelling
- Helps steady blood sugar and lipids alongside diet
How it has been used
Traditional uses & benefits
Shigru is described as light, sharp and penetrating — a shothahara (anti-swelling) tree used where the body is both depleted and clogged.
Traditional uses
- Rebuilding after illness, poor appetite or low haemoglobin
- Swelling, water retention and stiff, aching joints
- Clearing kapha from the sinuses and chest
Practical guidance
- 1Treat the leaf as food first: a spoon of powder in dal or a handful of leaves cooked with ghee.
- 2Its sharpness suits Kapha; add ghee or lemon if you run dry and Vata-type.
- 3Use leaf and pod only — the root and root bark are not for home use.
How much
Dosage
Leaf powder 2-4 g (about half to one teaspoon) daily; fresh leaves and pods as food.
How to take it
Preparation & usage
Leaf powder
Stir half a teaspoon into warm water, dal or a smoothie.
With breakfast or lunch
Drumstick pods
Simmer the pods in sambar or a light soup until tender.
Midday meal
Read this first
Precautions
- Avoid root and root bark entirely, and avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy
- May add to the effect of blood-pressure, thyroid and diabetes medication
- Large amounts on an empty stomach can loosen the bowels
Where this comes from
Sources
Where to buy
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