“Moringa oleifera is the most nutrient-rich plant known to science”……People call it the ‘Tree of Life.’
“Mother’s best friend” is the way people refer to this tree in the Philippines where the leaves of the malunggay, as they call it, are cooked and fed to babies. Other names for it include horseradish tree and drumstick tree (India) and benzolive (Haiti). (It is commonly and incorrectly known under the names M. aptera and M. pterygosperma).
Though whole of Moringa plant is a powerhouse of nutrients and has multidimensional benefits for the body, I have focused here on the most valuable part of the plant which is the leaves.
Nutritional Value of Moringa Leaves
Tree of life journal – https://www.tfljournal.org/wiki.php/20081107163450633
This amazing superfood contains high amounts of several essential disease-preventing nutrients, including:
• Vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases.
• Vitamin C, fighting a host of illnesses including colds and flu.
• Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Potassium, Zinc, Magnesium, essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.
• Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells
How’s moringa great ?
1. It’s nutrient-packed.
Moringa is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It contains significant amounts of vitamin A, C, and E; calcium; potassium; and protein.
2. It fights free radicals (means – helps fight signs of ageing😉 )
Antioxidants fight free radicals, molecules that cause oxidative stress, cell damage, and inflammation.
Moringa contains antioxidants called flavonoids, polyphenols, and ascorbic acid in the leaves, flowers, and seeds. They also help fight against prostrate and skin cancers.
3. It fights inflammation in the body
Inflammation can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and obesity.
Moringa reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory enzymes and proteins in the body, and moringa leaf concentrate can significantly lower inflammation in the cells.
It helps a lot in joint pains, arthritis and rheumatism.
4. It aids Detox (Anti viral, anti microbial, anti bacterial )
It kills intestinal parasites and detoxifies the blood (and maybe emotions too )
5. It helps reduce diabetes symptoms.
Moringa leaf powder has been effective at reducing lipid and glucose levels and regulating oxidative stress in diabetic patients, which means it lowers blood sugar and cholesterol and improves protection against cell damage.
6. High Protein food
Its high protein content, helps manage weight loss, hair loss, skin problems, edema, muscle weakness and cramps, sleep problems, anxiety, depression and mood swings.
7. High Calcium and Iron
It helps with osteoporosis, muscle and nerve damage, heart function, anemia, fatigue, weakness, irritability etc
It helps with Disorders of the nervous system like migraines, hysteria and epilepsy.
8. It protects the cardiovascular system.
Moringa leaf powder has heart-healthy benefits, particularly in blood lipid control, the prevention of plaque formation in the arteries, and reduced cholesterol levels.
9. It supports brain health.
Moringa supports brain health and cognitive function because of its antioxidant and neuro-enhancer activities. Its high content of vitamins E and C fight oxidation that leads to neuron degeneration, improving brain function, soothing anxiety.
It also assists in normalizing the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain, which play a key role in memory, mood, organ function, responses to stimulus such as stress and pleasure, and mental health, for example in depression and psychosis.
10. It protects the liver, kidney
Moringa contains high concentrations of polyphenols in its leaves and flowers that protect the liver and kidney against oxidation, toxicity, and damage. Also helps with asthma.
Moringa can reduce liver damage and fibrosis and reverse oxidation in the liver. Moringa oil can also restore liver enzymes to normal levels, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing protein content in the liver.
It contains antimicrobial and antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that fight infections. It’s been effective against types of fungi that cause infections on skin and strains of bacteria responsible for blood and urinary tract infections and digestive problems.
How to Use It
• You can add moringa powder to your smoothie. Blend with sweet frozen fruits and coconut milk to get a great start to morning.
• The powder has a mild flavor, so it makes for a light moringa tea.
• You can add it to your favourite muffin / cake recipes.
• Add to stews / curries / dals / soups.
• Add it to patties and make burgers and sandwiches.
Do note
• Avoid seed extract consumption, as they have shown a level of toxicity in immune cells.
• Moringa can have laxative effects in large quantities, so a safe dose to introduce it into your food or diet and avoid digestive problems is ½ to 1 teaspoon per day.
HealthKarma - my musings on wellbeing 