Moringa oleifera, commonly known as moringa, drumstick tree, or horseradish tree, is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree in the family Moringaceae. The name Moringa derives from the Tamil word murungai (முருங்கை), referring to the long, drumstick-like pods. The species epithet oleifera means “oil-bearing” in Latin, referencing the seeds, which yield moringa oil (also called ben oil). Native to the sub-Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, it has been widely cultivated across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America for its nutritional and medicinal value. Nearly every part of the plant is edible or useful: the young seed pods (“drumsticks”), leaves, seeds, flowers, and roots.

Historically, moringa has been consumed in South Asian cuisine for millennia, with its pods used in curries and soups. In Africa and the Caribbean, its leaves are a staple leafy green, cooked in stews and porridges. Beyond food, moringa has played a role in traditional medicine, where it was used for inflammation, malnutrition, and infections. Today, moringa is celebrated globally as a “superfood”, with dried leaf powder marketed for its high micronutrient content and antioxidant properties.