Murunga leaf heals wounds too. I used them on myself in pre antibiotic era.
jksw
Murunga and CKD
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10:07 AM (6 hours ago)
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Makes sense -from a brilliant botanist
The best choice would be an easily available, inexpensive, practical, simple method that is easily understood and adaptable within existing rural practices.
One such method that has received enormous publicity on the Internet is the use of powdered, dry Murunga (Moringa oleifera) seeds. Trawling through the Internet (under “Use of Moringa seeds for water purification”: 211,000 references), I have published, from time to time, a few letters in the “Opinion” columns of The Island. But disappointingly, I have seen no feedback on any trials conducted. The procedure is very simple. Even at the risk of boring some readers, in view of the vital importance of trying even the most fanciful of possible solutions (or palliatives); let me reproduce a section of the letter published on 29 June, 2011.
“Sudanese villagers faced with the necessity to drink turbid Nile waters, have for centuries, used a traditional method. It has since been tested for effectiveness by very respectable British Universities and its validity endorsed. The process consists simply of drying mature seeds of Murunga pods, cleaning them of debris and skins, and pounding the kernels in a mortar to give a fine white powder. This is then sieved. A small amount of the powder is placed with a quantity of water in a stoppered bottle (an aerated water bottle would do fine), and shaken vigorously to give a milky white suspension. This is then filtered through a fine cloth. After this, it has to be stirred (shaken) very vigorously (akin to “potentiation” in homeopathy?) for about two minutes and then less vigorously for 10 to 15 minutes. A small amount is then added to the water to be purified (in a clay Kalagediya- aluminium being avoided) and stirred in. This is allowed to stand overnight or for a few hours, when the water is seen to be fully clarified and potable. The equivalent of a few milligrams of seed powder is said to suffice for several gallons of water.”
Obviously, the amounts and procedure may need to be refined to suit local needs. Many studies have failed to encounter any ill effects or off tastes. The seeds themselves are edible. Elaborate and careful studies have shown that every one of the postulated causes for CKDU are eliminated by this simple, practical and cheap method. Local workers can very simply test this out and evolve optimal protocols. Water used for drinking, as well as for cooking, should be treated.
Even the chemistry of this magical use has been worked out. The activity apparently resides in certain short chain proteins. As these molecules carry positive and negative charges at their two ends, they have the capacity to capture both negatively (phosphate, carbonate, fluoride) and positively (cadmium, arsenic, heavy metals) ions. Interestingly, it is reported that East Africa boasts of Murunga plantations for water purification. It is claimed to be usable even for large operations like municipal water supplies or for clarifying turbid ponds. The powder is said to additionally have bactericidal and even antiviral properties. The literature is not too clear whether the water has to be initially turbid, so that the pollutants are adsorbed onto the sediment as it settles. This is simple to determine.
If this procedure helps in ameliorating, preventing or saving the suffering or death of even a single afflicted victim, the effort would not have been in vain and the resulting merit immeasurable. It is most important that this information is passed through the Sinhala and Tamil media, so that the directly affected population is effectively reached. Philanthropic organizations may also be willing to print leaflets to be distributed through hospitals and local level organizations in the affected areas. –Dr U. Pethiyagoda
Why not study the murunga cure?
This entry was posted on 23/03/2016, in Health & Lifestyle and tagged CKDU, Moringa oleifera. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment
Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown etiology (CKDU) is a tragic and long standing scourge gaining increased attention. Its gravity, increasing prevalence and difficulty of treatment is of grave concern. The search for possible causes has proved elusive and ignited more controversy and acrimony than shed light. It is agreed that some factor carried in water is the likely culprit. Soil factors, toxic elements, agro-chemicals, algal contaminants or entry via food (e.g Lotus roots (nelum ala) or freshwater fish, and illicit alcohol have all been implicated, though none definitely proven. In such a situation, some means of removal of a wide collection of possible contaminants, is the most appropriate solution. Reverse Osmosis is one solution. Filtration through ion-exchange resin beds would be another. Both have their drawbacks.The best choice would be an easily available, inexpensive, practical, simple method that is easily understood and adaptable within existing rural practices.
One such method that has received enormous publicity on the Internet is the use of powdered, dry Murunga (Moringa oleifera) seeds. Trawling through the Internet (under “Use of Moringa seeds for water purification”: 211,000 references), I have published, from time to time, a few letters in the “Opinion” columns of The Island. But disappointingly, I have seen no feedback on any trials conducted. The procedure is very simple. Even at the risk of boring some readers, in view of the vital importance of trying even the most fanciful of possible solutions (or palliatives); let me reproduce a section of the letter published on 29 June, 2011.
“Sudanese villagers faced with the necessity to drink turbid Nile waters, have for centuries, used a traditional method. It has since been tested for effectiveness by very respectable British Universities and its validity endorsed. The process consists simply of drying mature seeds of Murunga pods, cleaning them of debris and skins, and pounding the kernels in a mortar to give a fine white powder. This is then sieved. A small amount of the powder is placed with a quantity of water in a stoppered bottle (an aerated water bottle would do fine), and shaken vigorously to give a milky white suspension. This is then filtered through a fine cloth. After this, it has to be stirred (shaken) very vigorously (akin to “potentiation” in homeopathy?) for about two minutes and then less vigorously for 10 to 15 minutes. A small amount is then added to the water to be purified (in a clay Kalagediya- aluminium being avoided) and stirred in. This is allowed to stand overnight or for a few hours, when the water is seen to be fully clarified and potable. The equivalent of a few milligrams of seed powder is said to suffice for several gallons of water.”
Obviously, the amounts and procedure may need to be refined to suit local needs. Many studies have failed to encounter any ill effects or off tastes. The seeds themselves are edible. Elaborate and careful studies have shown that every one of the postulated causes for CKDU are eliminated by this simple, practical and cheap method. Local workers can very simply test this out and evolve optimal protocols. Water used for drinking, as well as for cooking, should be treated.
Even the chemistry of this magical use has been worked out. The activity apparently resides in certain short chain proteins. As these molecules carry positive and negative charges at their two ends, they have the capacity to capture both negatively (phosphate, carbonate, fluoride) and positively (cadmium, arsenic, heavy metals) ions. Interestingly, it is reported that East Africa boasts of Murunga plantations for water purification. It is claimed to be usable even for large operations like municipal water supplies or for clarifying turbid ponds. The powder is said to additionally have bactericidal and even antiviral properties. The literature is not too clear whether the water has to be initially turbid, so that the pollutants are adsorbed onto the sediment as it settles. This is simple to determine.
If this procedure helps in ameliorating, preventing or saving the suffering or death of even a single afflicted victim, the effort would not have been in vain and the resulting merit immeasurable. It is most important that this information is passed through the Sinhala and Tamil media, so that the directly affected population is effectively reached. Philanthropic organizations may also be willing to print leaflets to be distributed through hospitals and local level organizations in the affected areas. –Dr U. Pethiyagoda
