Ben

A genus of 14 species of deciduous, succulent trees, which occur in Africa, Madagascar, India, and Arabia. Moringa oliefera is a fast-growing, decorative tree that resembles Robinia in appearance, and flowers and fruits all year. It is the most commonly grown species, with medicinal uses that date back to ancient Greek times. Nearly all parts of the tree are edible; the bark yields a reddish gum, called ben gum, used for flavoring, and ben oil, extracted from the seeds, is a useful ingredient in foods and pharmaceutical products, since it does not go rancid. The roots are similar to horseradish, and the foliage, which contains 7-10 percent protein, is mustard-flavored. Moringa peregrina, a graceful African tree, has edible, potato-like roots and yields and oil that is used to treat infantile convulsion. Moringa pterygosperma is important in India; young leaves and unripe pods are eaten as vegetables, and the flowers added to curries, and various parts of the tree have medicinal uses.

Deciduous tree with a pale gray to copper-colored trunk, which stores water, and compound, pinnately divided leaves, 30-60cm (12-24in) long. Scented cream, 5-petaled flowers, 2.5cm (1in) across, are produced in loose panicles, to 15cm (6in) long, followed by pendulous, brown, bean-like capsules, to 50cm (20in) long.

Common Name:	Ben
Other Names:	Horseradish Tree
Botanical Name:	Moringa oleifera
Genus:	Moringa
Family:	Moringaceae
Native Location:	Arabia and India
Cultivation:	Well-drained sandy soil in sun. Cut plants back hard when harvesting.
Propagation:	By seed sown when ripe; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:	Leaves, flowers, and immature fruits are collected as available and used fresh. Seeds are removed from pods when ripe, and roasted for eating, or pressed for oil, which stores well. Bark, roots, and root bark are harvested as required for juice extraction, or used fresh or dried for decoctions. Gum is collected from bark for use in infusions and decoctions.
Height:	8-15m (25-50ft)
Width:	6-10m (20-30ft)
Hardiness:	Z10
Parts Used:	Leaves, bark, roots, flowers, fruits, seeds, oil, gum
Properties:	A nutritious, diuretic, laxative herb that is expectorant, increases milk flow, controls bacterial infections, and is rubefacient when applied topically. It contains a potent antibiotic. Ben oil has no taste, smell, or color, and is exceptionally resistant to oxidation. Gum has similar properties to tragacanth (Astralagus gummifera, See Gum Tragacanth).
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for insufficient lactation (young leaves), tuberculosis, septicemia (bark, gum); asthma, gout, rheumatism, enlarged spleen and liver, bladder and kidney stones, inflammatory conditions (juice of root). Externally for boils, ulcers, glandular swellings, infected wounds, skin diseases, dental infections, snakebite, and gout (seeds, bark, root gum).
Culinary Uses:	Leaves, flowers, seedlings, and young pods are eaten as vegetables (leaves are often added to shellfish dishes to counteract any toxins). Roots make an acceptable substitute for horseradish. Seeds are roasted like nuts; immature seeds are eaten like peas. Gum is used for seasoning.
Economic Uses:	Oil is used in salad dressings, lubricants, artists' paints, soaps, and ointments. Wood is used in the manufacture of rayon and cellophane; bark is used in tanning. Crushed seeds are used to purify drinking water.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 282