You might not have heard of moringa before, but once you do, you’re going to be looking for ways to incorporate this lovely herb into your life. Today we’ll look at what this spectacular plant is and how it affects the body.
What Is Moringa?
The beneficial properties of the Moringa plant (sometimes also called the Ben oil tree) were discovered thousands of years ago. It is native to the Himalayan mountains and areas of Africa and contains over 90 different protective compounds. Used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 4000 years, it’s now just gaining popularity in our time for its ability to fight inflammation and deal with the negative outcomes associated with malnutrition and aging.
What Is It Used For?
Moringa was even called the plant of the year by the National Institute of Health in 2008. They said: “Perhaps like no other single species, this plant has the potential to help reverse multiple major environmental problems and provide for many unmet human needs.”
It can assist with the treatment of a wide variety of health situations, including:
- Inflammation-related diseases
- Bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections,
- Cancer
- Low sex drive
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorders
- Anemia
- Fluid retention
- Low energy and fatigue
- Kidney stones
- Arthritis and other joint pains like rheumatism
- Heart problems (including high blood pressure)
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Chronic headaches
- Constipation, stomach pains, diarrhea
- Stomach and intestinal ulcers or spasms
- Epilepsy
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Moringa?
Pretty much every part of the moringa plant (stem, roots, seeds, leaves, and flowers) can be used as a source of nutrition and for other medicinal properties. Typically, the leaves are dried and then ground, as this is where the majority of the antioxidants are found. Studies found that moringa powder contains:
- Calcium (four times the amount that cow’s milk has)
- Beta-carotene (four times the amount of vitamin A of carrots)
- Seven times the amount of vitamin C that oranges have
- Potassium (three times that of bananas gram for gram)
- Protein (gram for gram, the moringa plant contains twice the amount of protein as yogurt)
- Lots of phytochemicals
- Trace minerals
- Amino acids
- Phenolic compounds
- Phytonutrients including flavonoids, kaempferol, glucosides, caffeoylquinic acid, glucosinolates, quercetin, and zeatin.
Given all of these wonderful features, the moringa plant has been shown to provide the following benefits:
1. Good For Water And Topsoil
So many of the “health fads” wreak havoc on the environment and the local populations which grow them (research what our avocado obsession is doing to the world—we dare you). Moringa products don’t hurt the planet. Moringa actually helps restore fertile soil, helping with forest restoration efforts and filtering water.
2. Balances Hormones And Slows The Effects Of Aging
Research has shown that moringa increases antioxidant status. It also results in a significant decrease in markers of oxidative stress (which has been linked to aging). Although moringa has been shown to reduce the rates of conception (a natural birth control compound), some evidence has been found that it might boost libido. Furthermore, it boosts the immune system during pregnancy and can help increase breast milk production or improve lactation. Of course, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, always check with your doctor before beginning a supplement.
3. Improves Digestion
Given the anti-inflammatory properties of moringa, it has been used for thousands of years to prevent and treat stomach ulcers, kidney damage, liver disease, fungal infections, digestive complaints, and yeast infections like candida. Because of this, one common use of moringa oil is improving liver function. This thereby assists the body in the removal of harmful substances like heavy metal toxins.
4. Helps Deal With Diabetes By Balancing Blood Sugar Levels
Moringa contains chlorogenic acid, which has been proven to assist with blood sugar levels by allowing cells to take up or release glucose (sugar) whenever needed. This results in natural anti-diabetic properties as well as hormone-balancing properties.
5. Helps Balance Mood
Given the high levels of protein found in moringa as well as the amino acid tryptophan, moringa can help support neurotransmitter function (including the ones that make us feel happy like serotonin).
6. Anti-Inflammatory Compounds
Moringa has been found to have equivalent capabilities to certain conventional drugs while simultaneously presenting less risk for side effects. Given its mix of amino acids, antioxidants, antibacterial compounds, and carotenoid phytonutrients, moringa performs in the same way as many anti-inflammatory drugs. This, in turn, can help protect the heart, stimulate the circulatory system, produce antitumor, antiepileptic, anti-ulcer, and antispasmodic effects.
The above information has hopefully opened your eyes to the wonders of Moringa. Remember to introduce things into your diet and lifestyle slowly, so you can sense the impacts—more isn’t always better when it comes to supplementation.
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