Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

Local Literature

We all know that Malunggay Leaves (moringga oleifera) is one of the recipe in our Filipino all

time loved dishes (Vince Madrid, Fil-Kitchen II, 2018). Malunggay is a plant you can find

abundantly even in the most urban and remote places in the Philippines, (you can even find it at

sidewalks) it is very nutritious and accessible that the Department of Health (DOH) suggested it

to be a part of their daily diet. Mostly, you can find it in soup-based foods like, tinola, sinigang,

pesa, etc. A typical Filipino mother can incorporate it in various dishes for children to eat

(because children are known as haters of vegetables and are often picky in eating leaves).

Mothers will put malunggay in foods most favored by kids like burgers, fried foods, siomai, etc.

just for the kids to eat malunggay and be healthy.

Pastillas de leche is a Spanish name for "candy made of milk." It is composed of milk and then

baked to perfection. It is soft and nibble inside with added advantages in nutrition since it is

made of milk. (Heart Cindy Peneranda, Spanish Times and Treasures, 2016). Pastillas' origins

can be rooted back since the times of Spanish colonization era. Their cooking methods are

greatly influenced by domestication, urbanization, and industrialization. From using fire woods,

they have evolved to use ovens. From clay utensils and ornaments to steel types. They have also

influenced as in terms of cooking recipes. But we have evolved it further and made it our own.

And one of these influences is the pastillas which they all love and adore.
Foreign Literature

Moringa oleifera is one of the best known medicinal plant. The Moringa plant has been

consumed by humans, It is one of the richest plant sources of Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K The

vital minerals present in Moringa include Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium,

Manganese and Zinc. (DanMalam, The Nature and Health, 2014). It has more than 40 natural

anti-oxidants. Moringa has been used since 150B.C. by ancient kings and queens in their diet for

mental alertness and healthy skin. The leaves, pods, seeds, gums, bark and flowers of Moringa

are used in more than 80 countries to relieve mineral and vitamin deficiencies, support a healthy

cardiovascular system, promote normal blood-glucose levels, neutralize free radicals, provide

excellent support of the body's anit-flammatory mechanisms, enrich anemic blood and support

immune system. It also improves eyesight, mental alertness and bone strength. It has potential

benefit in malnutrition, general weakness, lactating mothers, menopause, depression and

osteoporosis. It is also used to make an efficient fuel, fertilizer and livestock feed. Moringa leaf

has been purported to be a good source of nutrition and a naturally organic health supplement

that can be used in many therapeutic ways.

After all, malunggay leaves are excellent sources of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, amino acids,

cystiene and minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. Nutritionists claims

that gram for gram, malunggay has seven times the vitamin C found in oranges, four times the

vitamin A found in carrots, four times the calcium and two times the protein found in milk and

three times the potassium found in bananas. (Henrylito D. Tacio, The Book of Plants and

Dietetics, 2014). Malunggay is very nutrition-packed that nutritionist and dieticians promotes it

as an alternative for different traditional ingredients. One can even say that it is at the epitome of
balanced nutrition which is only rivaled by some fruits and vegetables. This is why every expert

in the field of nutrition and dietetics recommends it to be part of everyone's daily diet.

Malunggay pods when eaten are reported effective against intestinal parasites. Decoction of

boiled malunggay roots when used as gargle evidently alleviates hoarseness and sore throat;when

used to wash sores and ulcers, it helps dry these lesions because it has antibacterial properties.

(Dr. Ubi, Benjamin Ewa, Herbs, 2016). Aside from the leaves, you can use almost all and every

part of the tree. The roots, pods and even oil extracts are used in the field of medicine. It is also

nicknamed as the second tree of life, (coconut being the original tree of life). With such

enormous amount of uses, effects and results, every household is suggested to have atleast one

plant of malunggay in their background.

Review of Related Studies

Foreign Studies

Moringa is a cultivated variety of the genus moringa belonging to family moringaceae.

Moringa is use in more than 80 countries including Pakistan to relieve mineral, vitamin

deficiencies, support a healthy cardiovascular system and it also has a potential benefits in

malnutrition. (Coppinjulia, 2014). Moringa is once called the wonder plant because of its

enormous nutritional value packed inside a small, compact, easy to prepare plant. It is rich in

vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients which helps in easily developing the body

and lessen the effects of different diseases. Moringa or malunggay, can be easily cultivated, and

as proof, it is grown in more than 80 nations and landscapes. It is also known, according to

another study, that it can withstand extreme weather conditions (drought and winter). And with
such availability and high nutritional value, it is widely used in households and other fields of

study such as the medical field and field of dietetics

Moringa oleifera is an important multipurpose tropical tree recognized for its nutrional and

medicinal properties. Moringa has anti-cancer effects. And this suggest that the anti cancer

properties of moringa could be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in the extracts from

this plant. ( abdulrahman khazim,2015). Malunggay has been studied throughout the world

because of its nutritional and medical properties. It has made various scientific breakthroughs in

the field of medicine and dietetics. Due to modern day's bioengineering, the effects of malunggay

has been boosted, and it is now known that it can cure cancer. This is due to the different bio-

minerals which eat away cancer cells (it is also said that these minerals are present in different

foods such as apples, bananas, pears, carrots, celery, etc.) With the help of today's scientific

prowess, malunggay is still making progress in the bioengineering world. And will be a

prominent player in various fields of study.

Moringa is commonly known as drumstick tree. Drumstick tree is a native of southern foothills

of the Himalayas in Northwest India where the moringa is used as the part of the diet. The

properties and contents of moringa can cure a number of deficiencies and diseases. (Ruchita

Haldar,2017). It is already known that malunggay can be found in most countries even with

countries which has extreme weather conditions. And so, it's not surprising to see a drumstick

tree at the foot of Himalayas mountain ranges. It is widely-used there as medicine for various

illness such as iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, lactose intolerance etc. It is relied very much

in remote areas where medicine is not immediate. And so, it is also experimented as natural

and/or herbal medicine for tribes in various remote places. It is also said that malunggay is also

used in tribal rituals and ceremonies.

The Philippine food ways and craft form of celophane-wrapped pastillas: through examining

the different communities includes its practices and preservations (Gonzales, Patricia 2017). The

Filipinos are known for the quality products they export internationally, this includes the

cleanliness, attractiveness, presentation and taste of produce made by Filipino. If you think that

pastillas is only a part of Filipino culture, you are gravely mistaken. Because Filipinos are known

for chastity and charity we share numerous things to other people. To the point that we share our

culture to them. Our love for pastillas had already transcended different barriers and has step foot

on countless nations. And unsurprisingly, it is well-admired by other countries as well. As they

say, you can see a nation's culture through their products. And Filipinos didn't fail to let others

know their culture with their very own pastillas. The intricate wrappings of the pastillas say how

tidy and neat Filipinos are. Its delicately sweet taste says how insurmountable their love and care

for others could be. And by exporting it, they are telling them their love for everyone and how

transparent and happy Filipinos are.

The home-based dairy industry consist of women entrepreneurs engaged in pastillas de leche

making as the primary stakeholder (Liza G. Battad, 2015). Making exceptional products means

creating opportunity for others to earn money and give them jobs. Due to the dairy industry,

many housewives became instant entrepreneurs because they are able to sell delicious pastillas to

others, they are able to earn money and save little by little for their future's and their family's

sake. In situations where large scale factories are concerned. Job opportunities are given to other

people and it also allows women (who knows more in making home-made food than other

genders) to not get discriminated as home people and care takers of houses