Malunggay has been in focus in recent months. Not only is it a vegetable for good health and many ailments, it is now being investigated as a biofuel and a clean one which does not give any toxic by-product on combustion. Considered to be a “miracle vegetable” we have abundant material for our food and we hope we will not miss the boat here since it’s becoming an important economic product or raw material.
We know that malunggay has been in our diet but we only think of this vegetable for mothers who want more milk production. In an analysis by FNRI-DOST (Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Dept of Science and Technology) 100 grams (1 cup cooked) of malunggay leaves contain 3.1 g. protein, 0.6 g. fiber, 96 mg calcium, 29 mg phosphorus, 1.7 mg iron, 2,820 mg ß-carotene, 0.07 mg thiamin, 0.14 mg riboflavin, 1.1 mg niacin, and 53 mg ascorbic acid or vitamin C. It also has a high antioxidant activity ( 71% relative to Vit E). What we really do not know is the form in which the minerals occur. For some of us who have heard about “chelated minerals” it makes us wonder if such forms are present in malunggay. Chelated minerals are defined as minerals bonded with amino acids. This binded form enables many plant derived minerals to be assimilated by the body in minute amounts to meet the daily requirements. Unlike synthetic minerals, we need only a small amount of chelated minerals to meet the body’s requirement. The reason is that synthetic minerals have to be given in large amounts in order for them to get transported into the cells. The implication is that if the minerals of plants are mainly in chelated forms, we don’t need to use synthetic supplements for our daily needs. A cup of malunggay will be enough for our health maintenance or higher than that would also mean our ability to raise our anti-oxidant intake if we are a cancer patient. Malunggay has also been reported to be able to lower blood sugar. So in addition to ampalaya, banaba, luyang dilaw, we have malunggay. Aduts who want calcium supplementation will thus benefit for the prevention of osteoporosis.
So extend your horizon, eat malunggay, plant malunggay and we should be healthy (if we eat this vege often). Someone told me she is taking malunggay shake, well why not, we can make it better tasting by adding pineapple juice. Try this: 1/2 cup fresh (raw) malunggay leaves + 1 cup water -blended and strained. Add another 1/2 cup of pineapple juice for a health drink taken 2-3 x a week. Two times daily for cancer survivors. Always make a fresh blend, to be consumed with 2 hours. Maybe this should be comparable to wheatgrass juice, which is imported from the US.
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October 16th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Dr. Emil,
I understand that an enduranz capsule has 350 mg of herbal blends. I just want to know the equivalent content of Tongkat Ali in mg per capsule. Thank you and hoping to hear from you soon.
From Doc Emil: I think it has 250mg of tongkat ali per capsule. This amount, I believe, is the optimum for Asians.</span>
October 21st, 2008 at 6:51 am
Dr. Emil
ang malunggay ba ay pwedeng gawin tea as our daily supplement at paano ito gagawin. Please answer. Thank y
From: Doc Emil —-> Malunggay can be air dried for purpose of using as tea. 1 tsp + 1 cup boiling water, steep for 10 mins and drink
November 8th, 2008 at 2:45 am
hi this is good
November 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am
pwede po ba ang slenda sa breastfeeding mothers???i need your reply po because i want to loose some weight…please po answer my question…
tnx!
—yang of davao city—
Yeng,
Breastfeeding and pregnant women usually have critical condition it’s better that you ask your doctor first about it or you may wait till you’re ready. Though Slenda is all natural and very safe and effective it’s better to be cautious.
November 14th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
fresh Malungay is not easy to find here ,will you tell me if Natalac Malungay tablets can be taken safely by a pregnant mother.
thank you!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hello,
if i drink malunggay juice could help lessen ny spider veins cause it cleanses our blood vessels?
Hope to hear from you asap.
Thanks, carla
FROM DOC EMIL:Â Spider veins are due to the thinness of the skin and not to a blood problem. It can be blood vessel problem like varicose veins, hormones, prolong exposure to sunlight. Herbals can be less of help. Advisable to consult a dermatologist.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Dr. emil,
maganda po ba tong ginawa ko na umiinum ako araw2 ng tubig na pinag bukalan nang malunggay?at halos 3 to 4 letters a day ma ubos ko..,wala po ba itong problema kahit madami ang iniinum ko?
Thanks I’ll Wait Your Positive Responce…
jerome
January 19th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
doc emil,
gud day po… ask k lng po kng safe na po ba for me to drink malunggay tablet, i am on my 35th weeks of pregnancy na po…or do i have to wait for me to deliver before taking the tablets…
please do enlighten me on this particular matter doc…
maraming salam
January 26th, 2009 at 12:22 am
AS LONG AS THE TABLET CONTAINS ONLY MALUNGGAY, IT WILL BE SAFE. THERE SHOULD BE NO OTHER HERBS OR COMPONENTS THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW. DO NOT TAKE ANY HERB, ONLY VEGETABLES WOULD BE SAFE FOR PREGNANCY IN THE USUAL AMOUNT AS FOOD
May 17th, 2010 at 5:35 am
In respect with nutrition or medicinal value, which is better malunggay or wheatgrass?
From Dr. Aligui: Malunggay has more minerals than wheatgrass, so for nutritional value, malunggay is better. Wheatgrass has a detoxification value due to high content of chlorophyll so for medicinal value wheatgrass has a specific use. Most grasses have medicinal value but are not nutraceutical because they are not part of our diet.
June 25th, 2010 at 3:29 am
doc pwd puh bng gwing facial cream ang malunggay leaves?
January 31st, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Doc,okay Lang Po ba akong uminom ng malunggay.kahit 35 Lang Po ako safe Po ba tong malunggy..WALA Po bang side effect to? Kase tablets Po yung binili ko ano Po ba Mas maganda tablets o yung Po tea..pwede ko rin Po bang tigil yung multivitamins ko..please responds thank you!
— Taking malunggay supplement is ok.