Frequently called the ‘miracle tree’, the powdered or capsuled leaves of the Moringa Oleiffera tree -– has drawn major attention as a single ingredient powerhouse supplement. At specialty health stores it can also be found in energy shots, smoothies, teas, nutritional bars, and more.
Indigenous to South Asia, moringa is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that grows quite commonly. The moringa tree has several names throughout the world. It is sometimes called the horseradish tree because of its roots when eaten raw taste similar to horseradish. It is also known as the Drumstick tree, Clarifier tree, Ben Oil tree, Ben Nut tree, or benzoil tree.
Common Food Found in Asian Kitchens
Elevated in status in the United States and countries where it isn’t readily available, moringa’s knobby long drumstick shaped pods is a humble vegetable regularly found in Asian and island country kitchens. The pods, fresh or dried, are added in rice or noodles or roasted like nuts. The leaves are slightly bitter, somewhat like spinach and are delicious added to a stir-fry. Moringa flowers are edible as well, often added to a stew, steamed with rice, or for a fragrant pilaf dish. Leaf extracts also reduce oxidation and are used to preserve food and increase its shelf life.
Ancient Medicine
For thousands of years, countries such as India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, the Caribbean, Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Latin America use moringa to treat and prevent diseases such as arthritis, anemia, diabetes, heart and liver disease, digestive disorders and more.
Traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal systems have listed moringa as a remedy in well over three hundred ailments. In countries of its nativity, it is the roots and bark of the moringa is most prized for their medicinal qualities and benefits to health although the flowers and leaves are also used to make medicine.
Side Effects & Precautionary Warning
- Extract of the roots, bark and flowers of moringa is unsafe to consume during pregnancy as they contain chemicals that cause the uterus to contract and cause a miscarriage.
- Moringa does increase breast milk production but some researches suggest there is not enough information to know if it is safe for a nursing infant.
- In the liver, medicine breaks down. moringa extracts may decrease how quickly the liver is able to do this; which could lead to various complications and side effects.
- Moringa effectively lowers blood sugar and if taking diabetes medications at the same time, it is vital to make sure the blood sugar level doesn’t get too low.
- Taking moringa alongside blood pressure-lowering drugs could prove dangerous. Moringa is also very effective in lowering blood pressure and could result in too low of a pressure.
Most moringa studies have been done on animals and not humans. Some proponents express concerns that moringa may trigger nausea, heartburn and diarrhea. That said, there is need for more research as traditionally, the leaves are steeped in water to treat diarrhea as well as various infections and fever.
Moringa Birth Control
In both human and animal studies, moringa prevents fertility. Women in childbearing years are told to avoid consuming moringa completely. Chemicals present in moringa roots prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the lining of the uterine wall. It is not clear whether the leaves will do the same as the root but there is evidence that consuming moringa leaves will cause a woman to miscarriage – 100%, every time. In some countries, moringa is used as a permanent form of birth control.
Moringa Seeds Purify Water
After the oils are extracted, the pea-size seed cakes of the Moringa tree are prized for its distinctive attribute to purify well water, balance electrolytes and remove salt from seawater, cheap and effectively.
Its ability to withstand severe drought conditions makes it an available and valuable food source with many essential nutrients for developing countries.
The seedpods - also called the fruit - are loaded with Vitamin C!
In virtually every country where hunger and malnutrition is widespread moringa appears to be part of a greater comprehensive plan in alleviating dietary deficiency throughout the world.
Moringa Qualities
Findings from clinical and laboratory experiments or animal-based research, all point to Moringa’s litany of therapeutic and nutritive properties. Moringa is anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, packed with Vitamins A, B, and C. It also contains a number of compounds such as quercetin, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, iron, magnesium, potassium, protein.
Moringa has tissue-protective qualities and its oil is used topically for athlete’s foot, dandruff, abscesses, gum disease, snakebites, warts and wounds.
Moringa Benefits
There needs to be more long-term human-based scientific research to support the preliminary evidence of moringa for treating and preventing chronic conditions, but there are promising indications that moringa can:
- Balance Blood Sugar Levels
- Lower Cholesterol
- Balance Blood Pressure
- Guard Against Effects of Arsenic Toxicity
- Alleviate Headaches
- Promote Weight Loss
- Increase Libido
- Vitalize Immune System
- Relieve Arthritis Symptoms
- Ease Constipation
- Reduce Asthma Symptoms
- Help Treat Dyslipidemia
- Reduce Progression of and Control Diabetes
- Increase Sex Drive
- Treat Parasitic Infections
- Prevent Cell Damage
- Inhibit Lung and Colon Cancer Cell Growth
- Fight Fungal Infections
- Dissolve Kidney Stones
- Help Eliminate Acne
- Treating Edema
- Treat Thyroid Disorders
- Stop Diarrhea
- Eliminate Fluid Retention
- Ease Epilepsy
- Treat Bacterial Infections
- Treat Viral Infections
- Treat Intestinal Ulcers
- Relieve Rheumatism
- Reduce Inflammation
- Stop Stomach Pain
- Relieve Intestinal Spasms
Moringa is believed to have many benefits with a wide range of healing properties and beauty aids. There is still more that needs to be done to back up the above-stated benefits, measuring for safety and potential side effects.
Adding Moringa to Your Diet
As a dietary supplement, it is simple to add in some moringa, using it as any other herb or seasoning. Sprinkle onto salads, eggs, vegetables, rice or pasta. Bake into bread, brownies or cookies. Stir into soups, dips or sauces – or blend into juices, smoothies or ice cream.