kamunggay/malungay/moringa

[TripleG 3]

My wife and I just recently got back from a 6 week trip to the RP. Upon returning to the states we went to our Pediatrician to get our sons 4 month shots that he missed while we where in the RP. Our son is nearly 5 months old. While at the pedatrician the doctor commented on the health of the boy and how his weight, balance and congnitive senses all seemed normal or above for his age. They asked what we had been eating and we responded with milk, and Kamungay juice from boiled leaves. Our pedatrician is Filipina and her husband is also Filipino and they practice out of the same office. The Filipina doctor shook her head and told us to quit feeding him Malungay juice, and her husband overheard the conversation and made the point to stick his head in the room and exclaimed in disabelief that we where feeding him malungay. I asked why and the doctor said because it can cause him to develope food alergies? My wife and everyone I know in the part of the RP we reside eat kamungay at least 4 times a week. Its also very common to give the juice to babies. So my question is: How many where fed this plant or its derivitives as babies or children and has there been in lasting adverse health effects?

My wife is convinced our doctor is a quack now, and wants to find a new one. I am supporting the doctors request until I get more information.

Wyatt

[sjr09 155]

http://malunggay.com/

http://philippinenat...ggay-juice.html

http://ezinearticles...Tree&id=2474406

You have no doubt heard of Moringa by now, but what about Malunggay? What is is and how is it similar to Moringa. Well truth be told Malunggay and Moringa Oleifera are exactly the same plant, they are just called by different names in different parts of the world.

Although moringa or more likely malunggay originated in northern India, it now exists in sub tropical climates all over the world. The are hundreds of names for the plant, but moringa and malunggay are by far the most common, so we will stick to these two.

The tree itself truly lives up to its name, "The Miracle Tree." All parts of this tree can be used for something beneficial. The bark can be stripped and used as a disinfectant. The seeds produce a very high grade oil used that can be used in cooking and other various applications. The pulp from those pressed seeds can even be used to purify water. But the real power lies in the Malunggay and Moringa Leaves!

The leaves contain massive amounts of nutritional value. They are so nutritious that they are currently given to malnourished children in Africa to eat right off the tree. The interesting thing about these leaves is that the nutritional value of them actually goes up when they are dried! The powder created from these dried leaves is quite possibly one of the worlds most beneficial supplements.

The leaves contain ounce for ounce more protein and calcium than milk, more vitamin C than oranges, more vitamin A than carrots and more iron than spinach. The also contain all the essential amino acids, are a great source of antioxidants and even contain leafy green plant protein. The leaves have been used in Indian medicine to treat over 300 ailments!

The uses of the Malunggay/Moringa tree for the human race have yet to even be explored. Think how many lives could be saved with a few plantation in 3rd world countries. Think how your quality of life would be improved by adding a supplement as beneficial as moringa into you diet. People from all over the world are discovering the power of Moringa daily and making it a part of their lives. Will you be next?

Edited December 10, 2010 by sjr09

[Atencio 43]

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sticking to breast milk for first six months of life to decrease chance of allergies. There have been studies both pro and con on the incidence of atopic dermatitis later in children in your sons age group when given solid food.

[andrew&evelyn 6]

I have a 14 month old son. Never feed him malungay since then, but honestly if it is available here I will definetly include it on his food now that he is already eating table food but not if he is under six, Malungay is even called "miracle tree".

[JoannaV 174]

I'm not Filipino, but the issue isn't really kamunggay. It's whether you should be feeding him anything other than milk. You will hear plenty of anecdotes of people who have successfully fed their child all kinds of things early on, and others where maybe it wasn't the best thing. Like Atencio said, the common recommendation is to stick to breast milk for the first six months of life. As your son is only a month away from 6 months it should be easy enough to compromise with your wife on this issue: keep to milk for one more month, and then let your son experiment with anything (well not anything obviously, but err appropriate things) that he wants to drink/eat.

Doctors will disagree amongst themselves on many issues, particularly where the evidence is not 100% clear. Some will be happy with you taking "risks" whilst others will always err on the side of caution. So long as you and your wife are otherwise happy with the care of the paediatrician, then I would stick with them :-) Whilst remembering that your wife is right, you don't ALWAYS have to follow the doctor's advice strictly!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Not a filapina but I did google. There's a blog here: http://margauxlicious.blogspot.com/2009/08/menu-malunggay-mania.html that mentions for breast-feeding mothers it's great as the high calcium intake helps her produce more breast-milk BUT when it talks about the kids it says:

For children aged 1-3, a 100g serving of fresh cooked leaves would provide all their daily requirements of calcium, about 75 percent of their iron and half their protein needs, as well as important amounts of potassium, B vitamins, copper and all the essential amino acids. As little as 20 grams of leaves would provide children with all the vitamins A and C they need.” (source: steadyhealth. com)

So it says ages 1-3.. leading me to believe that under 1 it's not recommended (not advised against, just not recommended).

This study here: http://www.golacta.com/reports/malunggay_efficacy.pdf on page 15 mentions breastmilk is best to prevent allergies etc. It doesn't mention that the plant increases the risk, but that breastmilk ONLY reduces it.

This PI baby centre thing: http://www.babycenter.com.ph/baby/startingsolids/firstfoods/#10 says to introduce the plant with regular food.

I can't see anything AGAINST it, but I can't see anything for it in newborns (and I doubt they'd do a study in case it IS dangerous). Supposed to be really good for mums during pregnancy, and to help with high milk production.

I would trust the doctor. I doubt s/he is against the plant given it's benefits and only wants the best for your baby.

[Maxx121 14]

yeah its most likly just an age thing, its like you shouldnt feed your kid honey till hes about 12 months?

but i take honey for coughs and give my son a tablespoon of it when he has a bad cough and it knocks it out in about 10 mnts or so.

or i give him warm water with lemon and honey.

differnt people use diffrnt tricks just know whats the best age to give it to them.

[Fandango 1,439]

Never heard of this before, but as a new mom of a 3 month old, it's something I'll read up on for future. But I'm going to look into it more now for myself. Thank you!

yeah its most likly just an age thing, its like you shouldnt feed your kid honey till hes about 12 months?

but i take honey for coughs and give my son a tablespoon of it when he has a bad cough and it knocks it out in about 10 mnts or so.

or i give him warm water with lemon and honey.

differnt people use diffrnt tricks just know whats the best age to give it to them.

The reason for no honey is because it can cause botulism in infants"

http://www.wisegeek.com/why-shouldnt-infants-eat-honey.htm

[simonben1982 0]

Hi, there!!! Thanks for it. I am searching for moringa plant in my Kansas City but don’t know where to buy it. Can anyone tell me which places moringa rooted tree in reasonable rate and does Kansas environment is good for moringa growing or not.

Edited April 21, 2012 by simonben1982

[AlohaBabes 5]

Moringa or Malungay is very good for health!! Its good for diabetics and other ailments!! Its very healthy!! But since your baby is just 4 months old or almost 5 months, You shouldn't give other food or liquids other than milk.. In Exclusive breastfeeding, the mother is advice to give only breast milk until age 6 months.. But other Moms still gave water, but thats fine.. I guess you can resume malungay after 6 months.. And if you start feeding solid food, try to feed same food and flavoring for 2 weeks to check or observe for allergies!! Take care!!! You have wonderful cute babies!! :-)

[John&Juvy 36]

Lol sometimes I also disagree of what our pediatrician's advice, specially when she told me feed my little one only every 4 hours lol. SoI asked my husband to change our doctor. Thought I will feed her whenever I think she's hungry or atleast every 3 hours or less. But anyway, I wont give my daughter any solid food other than milk until she reach 6 months. It dont matter how healthy and rich of vitamins that food have, I will still wait for the right time of solid food. So you should probably just wait another more months before giving him again any type of juices, for the safety... just my opinion.

[Philwithlove 17]

I think moringa is hard digested food although its very nutricious. You can check your body waste after eating it coz you can still see the moringa leaves. hahaha

I dont know if juicing it still the same, but you can observe it in your baby's waste.

I remember my sister gave birth in an award winning public hospital in our province. They dont allowed bottle feeding unless the baby has special needs that the doctor gave them an OK to use milk in cans. The hospital want the mothers to practice breast feeding as we all know that mother's milk is the best for babies. It supplies all the antibodies and nutrients for the baby to build their immune system. In order to produce abundant milk for mothers, moringa is part of their meal everyday.