Joints30 min
Drumstick Sambar for Bone-Friendly Meals
A pot of sambar loaded with drumsticks, moringa leaves and dal, a calcium- and protein-rich South Indian meal for people who care about bones and joints.
Why moringa is used this way
Moringa (sahjan or drumstick) leaves are rich in iron, calcium and vitamin A. In Indian homes they are cooked into dal, sambar and thepla, and the dried leaf powder is now widely sold.
Moringa pods and leaves provide calcium, vitamin C and antioxidants, and dal adds protein for muscle strength around the joints. Animal studies hint at anti-inflammatory effects; in people, it is best seen as nourishing food.
Ingredients
- ½ cup toor dal, cooked
- 2 drumsticks, cut into pieces
- ½ cup moringa leaves
- Tamarind, sambar powder, turmeric
- Mustard seeds, curry leaves, hing and oil
How to prepare
- Cook drumsticks in tamarind water with sambar powder and turmeric.
- Add dal and leaves; simmer five minutes.
- Temper with mustard, curry leaves and hing.
How to use
- Eat with rice or millet two or three times a week.
Helpful habits
- Bright green powder that smells like dry leaves is fresh.
Precautions
- People on blood thinners should keep moringa intake steady rather than varying it widely.
- Avoid moringa root and bark; only leaves and pods are used as food.
- Check with a doctor if you take thyroid or diabetes medicine.
- A home remedy, not a treatment. See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few days or get worse.
Frequently asked questions
Does it help arthritis pain?
- It is nourishing food, not a pain treatment.
How do I eat drumsticks?
- Chew the soft pulp and seeds and discard the fibrous skin.
How much moringa powder a day?
- Half to one teaspoon in food is plenty.
