Abstract

A THOROUGH COMPARATIVE BOTANICAL AND AYURVEDIC REVIEW OF SHIGRU (MORINGA OLEIFERA LAM) ALONG WITH ITS NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCE

Dr. Abhijeet G. Pachpor*, Dr. Sandhyarani R. Agarkar, Dr. Tabasum Pansare, Dr. Sharadkumar Maurya, Dr. Surekha Khandekar and Dr. Najneen Bhaldar

ABSTRACT

Shigru (Moringa oleifera Lam) is one of the most important drugs having anthraquinones, flavonoids, sitosterol, tannins, glycosides which possess the anti-cancerous property. Shigru is well known for its nutritional value and is used to treat malnutrition both in infants and nursing mothers. Many researchers have established its antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. Shigru is extensively used and described in Ayurvedic literatures. Acharya Charaka mentioned Shigru as Svedopaga, Shirovirechanopaga and Krimighna while Acharya Sushruta and Vagbhata in Varunadi gana which is used to treat urinary system ailments. According to Bhavprakash Shigru is useful in the treatment of Apachi, Gulma, Ganda.[1] Raj nighantu mentioned Shigru as Mukhjadyahara (oral disorder)[2] so we can use Shigru in various oral disorders. Shigru is basically native to India but it widely grows in Africa, Asia and some part of South America. Shigru contains various types of vitamins, proteins and some minerals which are having many health benefits to mankind and used to treat malnutrition.

Keywords: Shigru, Moringa oleifera Lam, Literature review of Shigru.