Can Malunggay help fight the novel corona virus?
The humble Malunggay of the Philippines, known elsewhere as moringa, is proving to be a powerhouse of nutrients that can boost your immune system against viruses, possibly even from the dreaded novel corona virus.
Like the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! So yes, now that the virus which originated from China is officially in the Philippines, with reports of the first cases of the Novel Corona Virus (NCoV) confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH Philippines), prevention from contracting the virus is the key.
Both government and non government organizations have launched awareness campaigns aimed at containing and controlling the spread of the virus infections, aiming to inform and educate the public on how to minimize and prevent its spread.
These efforts to allay the fears of the people seem to still fall short for an apprehensive populace who sees and hears the news that the novel corona virus has reached several countries all over the world.
The lack of availability of recommended face masks like the N95 and other brands to protect oneself from contracting the virus is not helping at all.
DOH Philippines has recommended the following measures to prevent contracting the virus:
- Don’t go into crowded public places
- Drink lots of water
- Wear recommended mask (if you can find one)
- If you have some signs and symptoms, have yourselves checked by a doctor
Without any cure available at this point, the only thing people could do right now is to take precautions and preventive measures to try to secure themselves and their family’s health.
Aside from taking lots of vitamins to boost one’s immune system and help keep you healthy, the Philippines offers several natural and indigenous plants and fruits available right now.
Among these local plants there is one that readily comes to mind, a plant our parents and grandparents especially in the province knew as a drought-resistant backyard tree of the tropics, the “Malunggay”.
Also known as “Moringa”, the Malunggay has since become a world renowned, well researched, and studied plant and touted as the “Miracle Tree” for its health benefits.
Who would have thought the lowly Malunggay, which we commonly used just to help stimulate production of milk for breast feeding women and with even the WHO advocating Malunggay use for malnourished children, has surprisingly a large number and large amount of nutrients and vitamins that have been discovered to provide a staggeringly large number of health benefits for people.
The Malunggay is richly endowed with the following, according to this Amchara listing:
- 92 nutrients
- 46 anti-oxidants
- 36 anti-inflammatories
- 18 amino acids
- 10 vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, A, C, K, E, D
- 9 essential amino acids
With such a powerhouse of health-boosting properties, the Malunggay can also boost our immune system which can help us fight off viruses. And if infected with a virus, it could help reduce and lessen the effects of the infection which could lessen the period of illness and faster recovery.
So, can Malunggay fight off the novel corona virus? It won’t hurt to boost your immune system to fend off any virus, including the coronavirus.
The Philippines is home to indigenous plants that have proven to have medicinal properties and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has supported various initiatives to develop medicine from the local fauna.
Among these DOST-funded science researches are the University of Santos Tomas discovery of seaweed found to have Anti-Cancer benefits, the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute-led development of the world’s first anti-dengue medicine, and local plants to heal hypertension, gout, and other ailments.
TELL US in the comments below how Malunggay has helped your nutrition?
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