How to make malunggay powder

From my last post, I taught you guys on how to plant your very own malunggay tree. Now that it has grown leaves, I will be teaching you how to make malunggay powder. It is very easy to make and you can add it to just about anything.

1. Gather malunggay leaves and remove the stems. Wash the leaves thoroughly and shake off excess water. (Alternative: Wash the leaves but don't remove them from the stem)
   
2. Place leaves in a mesh net bag that you can buy at the public market. The leaves have to be air dried but not directly exposed to sunlight because it will lose its nutrients. Let it air dry for about three days. The mesh net bag looks like this: 

(Alternative: You can also hang them dry using a hanger with clothes pins. Don't forget to tie the end of the stems together using a rubber band or else they'll fall off and get dirty.) Then remove the leaves afterwards and proceed to the next step. You can hang them like this:

3. After three days or until it has completely dried, you can now roast the leaves under low heat for five minutes.

4. Now, you can use a blender or mortar and pestle to grind the leaves. 

Then sift it afterwards.

Presto! You are now able to make your very own malunggay powder and it did not cost you anything. You can add this to almost any food or drink you want. 

If you're going to try this or have already did, I would love to hear how it came out or if you have any questions.

Credit to the owners of the photos used.

Malunggay in your own backyard

Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) for us breastfeeding moms is the best tree ever because it helps us increase our milk supply.

Lately, I have been searching for the best supplement to increase my supply. A mom from my Facebook group, Breastfeeding Pinays, said that she takes Natalac two to three times a day I think. So, as I was researching about this supplement, I found out that almost all of the galactogogues out there are made from the miracle tree, which they process into powders, teas, capsules, polvorons, biscuits etc. Basically, it is made of malunggay. At the drug store, capsules cost about Php 8.00 each. 

For me, quite expensive for something that you can grow in your own backyard.

Let's get started!

With growing malunggay, the easiest way is through cutting its stem. Just select branches with 2 to 2.5 inch diameter. Then, cut it to 2 to 2.5 ft length. 

To expose more of its surface area to the sandy soil this tree loves so much, cut the bottom part diagonally at a 45 degree angle.

Now, we can plant it. Dig around 8 to 10 inches and bury the stem cutting. Water it from every now and then and you'll notice leaves growing in no time.

  

Credit to the owners of the photos used.