This tree is amazing and you see lots of them around PP. Next time you see one try it out. I love it and I always have Cambodians picking leaves and seed pods from the ones planted out front.

Should have posted this in the hangover thread. Sounds perfect :

Here are more Moringa Oleifera benefits:
Boosts energy levels
Improved digestion
Improved immune system function
Improved mood
Lower blood pressure
Protects the stomach lining
Treats stomach ulcers
Plus many more!

Or the antibiotic thread, since this seems to cure more or less everything.

I have plant a lot seeds in my field where the goats go graze. Moringa and black wattle both good trees. Moringa leave powder 35$ 1 kilo. In siem reap is a big farm that sells all kind of moringa products. They have also a store in pp

I have just been looking at the Moringa Oleifera today actually.

It is pretty obvious that some countries (Cambodia - in SR (obviously), Thailand, Australia, US for example.) harvest the leaves for various products. I know that the leaves (or the derivative products) have 'accreditation' in Thailand and other countries as well.

The plant/tree seems to have higher financial returns per hectare annually and seems to be much more resilient compared to other crops, such as coffee, or mangoes and/or the growing of Acacia for timber for example. Moringa apparently needs far less watering and routine management. As well as the much talked about health benefits it can also be used as fodder.

Maybe someone can shed some light on why this product has not really taken off as such?

Is it that the market is already flooded or there is an over-supply? (I had read on some other websites that people were trying to 'flog' their produce - albeit those posts were from 2 years previous). Has it not been marketed properly? Is it particularly difficult to process? Maybe the much discussed health benefits are actually non-existent? Or is it a combination of these and other factors?

Obviously, within certain Asian countries the health benefits are believed to exist, so it can't be a case that people throughout Asia have had limited exposure to Moringa and are therefore not willing to try or purchase a 'new' product.

Maybe I am missing something, or I haven't hit the right website yet?

I would be interested to get your guys perception/knowledge/thoughts....

Cheers

Gav

very interesting!

I've heard of it before, but what do Cambodians call this tree? It seems unlikely that the genus and species Latin nomenclature will be found in a dictionary. Also, a previous poster claims it's sold in PP; does anyone know where? I suspect that if one knows the Cambodian word herbalists in local markets would have it in stock. So, of my many questions the most important is what is it called in Cambodian?

mrum

ម្រុំ sometimes written ម្រុម transliteration: 'm'rum'.

And it's literally available all over Phnom Penh. Certainly an over-supply. There are semi-permanent street market stalls that sell it: One opposite the Intercontinental on Mao Tse Tung, one near Hakse on Sihanouk, a couple in the Russian market area.
It's available in 'Natural Garden' and similar small shops. They have a whole shelf with 6 or 7 producers selling leaf powder, tea, seeds, oils, capsules, soaps etc.
You'll also find it advertised on the back of Tuk-Tuks.

Traditional herbal medicine sellers know of it but rarely sell it, "makes the body too hot" and we live in the wrong climate according to an old guy I chatted too.

Its leaves are used in a a delicious soup my wife makes with palm fruit and pumpkin.

And isn't there a Friends restaurant in Siem Reap with the name M'rum.

Just did a 3 second Google for 'Moringa Cambodia' There are 3 Cambodian companies/producers/sellers that come up on the first page that I recognise.