Shojna or Drumstick tree, Moringa oleifera

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Shojna or Drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera, family: Moringaceae) is a fast-growing deciduous, medium-sized tree, native to the South Asia, attaining a height of 10-12 m. The tree with whitish-grey corky bark and soft wood is drought-resistant and is very common in Bangladesh. 

Common names: Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, Ben oil tree, Benzoil tree.


Leaves are 30-60 cm long, tripinnate; leaflets 4-7 pairs, ovate or elliptic, 1-2 cm long, entire alternate.


Fragrant and bisexual flowers are greenish-white, on axillary inflorescence. Sepal 5. petals 5. stamens 5. pistils 3. Flower blooms mainly in January-February. 


Fruit is capsule, 20-45 cm long, with triangular seeds. The plant is propagated by big cuttings.


The pods are used as vegetables in Indian subcontinent. Its flowers, fruits and leaves are used in high blood pressure, tumor, fever, hiccup, piles, eye and gum diseases, constipation, cough, phlegm, dyspepsia, asthma, worm and sore. It is also useful in spleen, liver and gall bladder diseases. 

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