Investigation of Local Knowledge Regarding the Local Uses of Moringa Plant in the Southern Regions of Iran

Moringa (Moringa spp.) is a native shrub with a high nutritional value found in the mountains and hills of southeastern regions in Iran, extending from Hormozgan, Bashagard, to the border of Pakistan. This valuable plant has not been properly known and identified.

The study followed a field fashion using checklists, observation along with participation, and interviews, as well as articles and books. Data were collected, in the regions of Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchistan through in-person questions, research, and contact with the study population and elderly individuals, in the fall and winter of 2019. 40 checklists were collected from people living in the study areas. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, Mean and standard deviation were used to describe continuous variables and categorical variables were reported with number and percentage.

The age mean of the participants was 47.82 ± 14.91 years ranging from 23 to 80 years. In both regions, Moringa was used mostly as food (81%), and oil as a massaging alternative (19%). A total of 90.5% used the plant as a seasoning and food additive, oil, tea, and 9.5% used it as ointment and poultice to heal wounds. 85% dried consumption while 15% of the locals used it freshly.

The local uses of moringa plant were mostly as a seasoning and food additive, oil and tea. In less cases, it was used as ointment and poultice to heal wounds.