VegetablesLow choking riskFrom 6 months

Moringa (drumstick) leaves

Sahjan / Murungai keerai

Good for:

Brain
Bones & teeth
Gut
Growth
Eyes

How to serve

Around 6 months

Small amount cooked and blended into dal.

9 months

Finely chopped in dal or adai.

12 months+

Stir-fried into dal and poriyal.

Recipes with moringa (drumstick) leaves

Idli with Vegetable SambarStage 4 · 12m+

What it's good for

Per typical serving at 7–8 months (~60 g).

Brain
- Iron supports brain development; babies' iron stores run low from about 6 months. 25% of daily need. AAP clinical report on iron (2010) ↗
Bones & teeth
- Calcium helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones. 72% of daily need. MedlinePlus: Calcium in diet ↗
Gut
- Fiber helps digestion and prevents constipation. MedlinePlus: Dietary Fiber ↗No daily need is set before 12 months; counted from 3.8 g, 20% of the 1–3 year need.
Growth
- Protein helps the body repair cells and make new ones, and is important for growth. 35% of daily need. MedlinePlus: Protein in diet ↗
Eyes
- Vitamin A promotes good eyesight and healthy skin. 175% of daily need. MedlinePlus: Vitamin A ↗

A nutrient counts when one serving gives at least 20% of the daily need (NASEM) — the bar FDA sets for “excellent source” labels. No single food does the job alone; a varied diet does.

Per 100 g

Values are for the raw / as eaten.

Energy	67 kcal
Protein	6.4 g
Fat	1.6 g
Carbohydrate	5.6 g
Fiber	8.2 g
Sugars (naturally occurring)	0.02 g
Iron	4.6 mg
Zinc	0.72 mg
Calcium	314 mg
Vitamin A (RAE)	1462 µg
Vitamin C	108 mg
Vitamin D	0 µg
Folate	43 µg
Vitamin B12	0 µg
DHA (omega-3)	0 g
Sodium	9.3 mg
Potassium	397 mg
Magnesium	97 mg

Source: ICMR-NIN IFCT 2017, C019 — “Drumstick leaves (IFCT C019)”.