The Miracle Tree - The Malungguy Tree

By: NipaHutGardens

What makes this tree a miracle tree? The first time I heard about this plant I was fascinated. Since my wife is Filipino, she wanted one for the yard, since it was a nice looking tree I did not mind. Everyone kept asking about the tree and its unique shape, pods and look, I started to look further into its history and medicinal touts.

This tree is a slender, deciduous tree about 20-30 feet tall. If left un-pruned it grows tall and slender, with drooping branches. The branches themselves are brittle with a cork looking bark. The leaves tend to be pale green, compound, tip innate leaves about 3-5 inches long. They have fragrant flowers that are an off white color that are borne in sprays. They lead to pods that are 3-10 inches with 20 or more seeds inside. The seeds have a papery look that could be thought of as wings. The trunk is thick. Here in Florida they fruit year round. We cut ours back to be bushy instead of tall so we can reach the fruit.

They grow best in subtropical and tropical conditions; however they can be grown in pots for colder climates and brought in during cold weather. It seems to thrive in almost any soil conditions. It seems that every part of this tree is used in some way for food or medicinal value. The seeds are eaten like peanuts or cooked with oil and garlic. The root has the taste of horseradish, which leads to the name Horseradish Tree, in the USA. The leaves are so rich in potassium a small handful gives you more then a banana, People also eat them in salads, curries and as seasoning. They leaves also serve as cleaning items when pounded into a paste. The wood can be used as a blue dye. Often these trees are planted as a living fence for livestock. Folklore has these trees planted on graves to keep away hyenas and the branches used as charms against witchcraft.

Part of Plant - Medicinal Use

Flowers - Tumors

Leaves - Poultice to sores

Roots - Dropsy, tonic for body and lungs, stimulant in paralytic afflictions, epilepsy and hysteria.

Seeds - Abdominal Tumors

Bark - Promotes digestion, antiscorbic, used for diarrhea

Oil - Dangerous if taken internally, but applied to skin for diseases.

Vitamin Content - Protein 42%, Calcium 125%, Magnesium 61%, Potassium 41%, Iron 71%, Vitamin A 272%, Vitamin C 22%

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Peter Dixon Owner of Nipa Hut Gardens and Gifts offers a wide array of Free Gardend Ebooks and Garden Articles as well asproducts for the whole family, which are usually not found in the large retail stores and include, rare fruit trees, plants, vines, flowers, Free Garden Ebooks, Free Business Ebooks, Digital books, Digital programs and more. Visit his website at www.nipahutgardens.com