Malunggay and Spinach Powder

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Rationale
He gives us that vast goodness of nature and vegetation is among those. As man propagates for
abundance; he deserves to harbor tremendous benefits from it.
M a n i n h a b i t e d e a r t h w i t h a l l i t s r i c h n e s s l a i d b e f o r e h i m . W i t h h i s g l a d n e s s , ingenuity and
constant search for knowledge he discovered numerous ways to enrich hismind of endless ideas, body for
health and longevity and spirit to fulfill his close relationw i t h h i s m a k e r a n d h u m a n i t y.
T h u s , m a n d i s c o v e r s i n f i n i t e w a y s a n d m a k e s u s e o f accessible resources to satisfy his longings for
health and wellness.The discovery of herbal plants made the possible existence of modern
medicine.Modern medicine makes use of these plants in making capsulated herbal medicine or foodsupplements. It
is scientifically proven that numerous of vitamins and minerals are foundin herbal plants that can supply the
needs of living things, specifically humans. Thesevitamins and minerals help supply energy within a
persons body, which is needed for everyday activities in order for them to perform well. Herbal plants nowadays
are not justmade as medicinal purposes but also as food ingredients so that it may add a unique
andhealthier flavor to foods.
Malunggay or Horse radish (Moringa oelifera) was once considered a "poorman's vegetable" but
now it is known as a "miracle tree" or "nature's medicinecabinet" by scientists and health care workers from
around the world because itis loaded with vitamins and minerals that can be an effective remedy
againstm a n y k i n d s o f a i l m e n t s s u c h a s a r t h r i t i s , a n e m i a , o v a r i a n c a n c e r , h e a r t com
plications, kidney problems, asthma and digestive disorders. This plant t h r i v e s i n t r o p i c a l
count r ies, m ainl y in Sout he ast As ia, Ce ntr al and Sout h Am er ica and Afr ica. I t is indee d
w i d e l y c u l t i v a t e d . I t g r o w s u p t o t e n ( 1 0 ) meters tall and its leaflets are ovate to elliptic and are two (2)
centimeters long.Each ounce of Malunggay contains seven times the Vitamin C found in oranges,four times the
Vitamin A of carrots, three times the iron of spinach, four times asmuch calcium as milk and three times the
potassium of bananas. It is said thatt h a t t h e s e p l a n t s r e q u i r e l i t t l e
m a i n t e n a n c e , w h i c h m a k e s i t e a s y f o r c a s h - strapped people to gain health without thinking of budget
concerns.
S p i n a c h ( S p i n a c i a o l e r a c e a ) i s a n e d i b l e f l o w e r i n g p l a n t i n t h e f a m i l y o f Amarantha
ceae which originated from Central and Southwestern Asia and is now widely cultivated throughout the
world. It grows to a height of up to thirty(30) centimeters and its leaves are simple, alternate, ovate to
triangular-basedand varies in size from two (2) to three (3) centimeters long and one to fifteen (15)
centimeters broad. Besides of it being considered as an herb rich in Iron, it isalso a rich source of Carbohydrates,
Dietary fiber, Fat, Protein, Vitamin A, Beta-c a r o t e n e , L u t e i n , Z e a x a n t h i n , F o l a t e , V i t a m i n C , V i t a m i n
E , V i t a m i n K a n d Calcium. It is well-known in stabilizing the blood sugar among diabetics, it serves as
an anti-oxidant, an anti-cancer agent, it prevents from atherosclerosisor thickening and hardening of arteries and it
aids in the formation of the bloodsubstance required for bloodclotting.The combination of both herbs can surely make
a nutritious supplementfor all ages. This study presents the result of the beneficial mix of Malunggay a n d
S p i n a c h k n o w n a s Malunggay and Spinach powder. A p o w e r d u o , a product of nature, harness
within reach and concoctedwith simplicity.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Results
The research yielded consistent data that the Malunggay and Spinach leaves dry upwell when stored in a wellventilated room without the direct exposure of sunlight and iseasier to pound in order to be made as an allnatural food powder. Before achieving thewanted result of the study, recommended procedures have
to be done. The researchergathered the Malunggay and Spinach leaves and hung it upside down with a clothes
pin ina well-ventilated room. A brown paper bag is used in catching the falling leaves. In a week,the leaves of both
plant stalks fell down. A mortar and pestle were used in pulverizing theleaves to make it into a healthy food
powder. And lastly, the end product was sealed in a clean container ready for consumption.
Conclusions

From the research done, the researcher found out that time must be a primaryconsideration in harvesting and
picking of Malunggay and Spinach leaves. The importanceof the environment appropriate circulating air as a
room for storage perfected the dryingand falling of leaves, which is possible within a week. The complete falling and
natural air -drying the leaves helps in easy pounding of the leaves thus, come up with an assured quality for
consumption.
However,t h e c u r r e n t c l i m a t i c c h a n g e a s e v i d e n c e d b y h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e a f f e c t e d t h e g r o w t h
o f Spinach plant. The scarcity of the Spinach leaves deterred the researcher to produce thetargeted
200 gram yield an equal proportion of 100 gram from Malunggay and Spinachleaves respectively.
Recommendations
Based in the researchers observation, it was found out that the harvest made pastnoontime gathered a crispier and
rough quality of leaves and felled off faster exactly 3days from the same storage room. During the pulverizing
process it resulted to a brownishcolored powder compared from an early morning pick which is dark green. The
researcherrecommends picking or harvesting the Malunggay and Spinach leaves after the morningdew has dried an
assurance of leaves at its freshest state. Hanging them in a well-ventilated room is advisable so that it would not get
very dry. Direct exposure to sunlight isnot recommended because it results to withered leaves affecting the quality of
leaves forfuture processing. The storage for the finished product is three (3) to five (5) days because ifoverly stored
will attract molds growth as it was meant all natural, no preservative added.An alternative gadget aside from mortar
and pestle in pounding the leaves, one can use agrinder to make ones job easier, faster and come up with a uniform
and fine consistency.