The Moringa tree of the Himalayas

The Moringa tree is native to the foothills of the Himalayas. There are many other names for the Moringa in different countries. The name Moringa is most certainly derived from the name “Muringa” a Malayalam term, one of the many dialects of India. In India alone there are so many different names for it. In the Philippines it is called Malunggay. It is called kelor in Indonesia, and kalor in Malaysia. The Chinese name is “la mu” (辣木), in Mandarin or “lat mok” in Cantonese, which means “chilli-hot wood”. As the pods are shaped like drum sticks, it is also called drumstick tree. Its roots taste like horseradish, hence also called horseradish tree. Its scientific name is Moringa Oleifera.