Everyone’s talking about the ‘miracle tree’

LIMPOPO – It started in 2009 when a group of women in Tooseng village, about 70km south of
Polokwane, planted some Moringa Oleifera trees as part of a poverty eradication project.
The plant, is originally from North India and grows rapidly and can be harvested all year round. It is rich in calcium, iron, vitamins and protein and has gained popularity in especially Limpopo.
In the Mokopane area, some call it the drumstick tree, miracle tree or Ben oil tree and praise its homeopathic abilities. The plant was used by ancient Romans, Greeks and Egyptians and has been used as a source of food and medicine for thousands of years.
Studies have shown that the consumption of the edible parts of the tree such as the leaves, pods and seeds assists in the prevention of common illnesses such as inflammation of joints, high cholesterol and even heart diseases. The powdered seeds are also found by scientists to work better in water purification than many chemicals used in cleaning water. The oil of the Moringa plant can be used as a food supplement, as a base for cosmetics, skin and hair moisturising cream.
The tree’s demand has created opportunities for locals turning into farming the tree for commercial purposes. Today the tree can be found packaged in variety of products from its leaves, pods and seeds such as teabags, body lotion, capsules, food supplements and bath soaps to mention a few.
Kenneth and Portia Chuene reside in Mahwelereng and own Kenny-Posh Moringa products. They produce products ranging from shower gels, bath salts, soaps and lotions made from the Moringa tree (they say that their products received  approveal from Silk Swifters in 2016).
Portia says before a friend introduced her to the plant in 2012, she suffered from pigmented skin which was soon sorted out with the use of the plant.
Kenneth Chuene says he had chapped skin, pigmentation issues and says he often got flu during seasonal changes. He claims that since he started using Moringa products and tea, his immune system is stronger and his skin looks better.
Kenny-Posh aims to educate the community about the benefits of Moringa plant and says that they have received such positive feedback that it hopes to expand its range.
One user of the Moringa plant, Nare Molomo, told Northern News that she uses Moringa powder in her food when cooking. “I used to have problems with my stomach, but Moringa has helped me overcome the problem”.
Another user, Carien Booysen, says that her family uses Moringa leaves to brew tea if they feel a cold and flu coming on. "The tea might not taste pleasant, but it eradicates any cold quickly."