What is Moringa?
Traditional cultures around the globe have been using plant medicines for thousands of years. Most times, plants provide benefits for specific ailments or organs. But there are the few botanicals that offer such a rich array of phytonutrients, benefiting your health and preventing diseases. Moringa oleifera is pre-dominantly one of these plants loaded with vitamin C, protein, calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene. It includes a high vitamin A concentration and given to thousands of children living in third-word countries as they suffer life-threatening deficiency of vitamin A. Taking the compound can also enhance your body’s amino acids and trace minerals. Another advantage is the pods of the moringa tree where seeds hold a healing oil. You can apply the oil to your skin or cook with it. (x) While the term “superfood” applies to several foods, moringa is one that deserves the name. It is no wonder that moringa received the Plant of the Year award by the National Institute of Health in 2008.
The moringa tree is originally native to India, where its use began over 4,000 years ago. Other names it goes by are the miracle tree, ben tree, and drumstick tree. The value of the plant is more important than its name because of what it contains. The leaves, roots and bark hold an abundance of nutritional compounds. There are trace minerals often absent from your diet, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. Moringa extract also contains unique phytonutrients such as beta-sitosterol, quercetin, zeatin, kaempferol, and caffeoylquinic acid. Combining these compounds helps reduce risk of conditions like inflammation, heart disease, digestive problems, and bacterial and fungal infections. (x) Before starting a new supplement and receiving all its benefits works best if you discuss it with your healthcare provider.
Measuring the value of moringa by a comparison of foods that you usually eat shows you the immense value of the plant:
- Two times the quantity of protein as to yogurt
- Three times the amount of potassium compared to bananas
- Four times the volume of vitamin A compared to carrots
- Seven times the quantity of vitamin C compared to oranges
- Four times the amount of calcium compared to cow’s milk
What are Moringa Benefits?
- Asthma Relief
Asthma is a common chronic disease and can be a significant health risk. Some people outgrow their asthma symptoms after childhood, while others continue to have symptoms their whole lives. Triggers of asthma attacks include particles in the air, vigorous activity, or even daily stress. If you have asthma, the bronchi and trachea, which carry air to and from the lungs, become inflamed and thickly coated in mucus. Some people have asthma so severe that this reaction can be life-threatening.
There are several ways moringa helps to reduce asthma symptoms. The first is to decrease the histamine, causing an inflammatory reaction. Cells release histamine in the body in response to allergens. It is what causes swelling. With asthma, it causes too much swelling, so moringa’s ability to reduce histamine makes asthma more controllable. (x)
Moringa may also improve lung function in those with asthma. In a study, powdered moringa seeds reduced inflammation and airway restriction to a “significant” degree in participants. They could take measurably deeper breaths with increased lung volume. (x)
- Decreased Arthritis Pain and Swelling
Nearly a fifth of the world’s adult population suffers from some level of arthritis in their joints, and it can begin as early as your twenties or teens. Arthritis can damage the joints it affects, meaning that the pain and swelling can lead to degeneration and function loss. It makes it hard to stay active, enjoy hobbies and maintain a job. The hallmark of arthritis is the inflammation of joints, and moringa extract targets this inflammation so joints can heal and bend more smoothly.
Reducing inflammation is one of the oldest and most common uses for moringa in traditional cultures, and modern science backs up its effectiveness. Animal studies show statistically significant decreases in swelling, similar to the effects of Ibuprofen. It means you can take an effective natural approach to arthritic pain. (x) (x)
- Improves Digestion
Digestive problems happen to everyone from time to time. If you suffer from chronic gastritis, colitis, ulcers, or other digestive conditions, moringa extract may help. Moringa extract is highly anti-inflammatory to soothe the stomach lining and the intestines to make digestion easier and far less painful. It helps to calm sensitivity and regulate the digestive process.
Moringa extract also helps regulate the immune reaction in the gut. It may be a way for some people to reduce their food allergy symptoms. It also provides antioxidants that can help heal these delicate tissues. This combination of actions suggests moringa extract can be a great digestion booster that helps relieve pain and improve nutrient absorption from the foods you eat. (x)
- Potent Anti-Aging Therapy
As you age, inflammation and oxidative stress occur faster than your body can keep up, causing progressive damage to tissues and organs. It is a primary culprit behind age-related degeneration. Moringa extract is a powerful scavenger of the free radicals that can damage tissues because of its significant number of antioxidants. It’s also strongly anti-inflammatory, helping keep all your body’s systems working better for longer. (x) (x)
- Balances Blood Sugar
Those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome have to be especially careful of their blood sugar levels. Some foods can cause blood sugar to rise dangerously high, only to fall to equally dangerous lows. This rollercoaster causes energy fluctuations through the day, food cravings, brain fog, weight gain, and increased aging. A big factor in these diseases is that cells cannot absorb the glucose from foods and turn it into energy. (x)
Two compounds in moringa — chlorogenic acid and isothiocyanates — naturally help glucose enter the cells. It decreases the complications of diabetes and allows the body to process sugars better, even after a very high carbohydrate meal. (x)
- A Boon for Beautiful Skin
Moringa extract isn’t just useful when it’s eaten or consumed in a drink. There are ways to apply it to the skin that can heal it and improve overall skin health.
Moringa extract works to combat bacteria and fungus that can infect skin and cause blemishes and irritation. It successfully combats infections like athlete’s foot, can reduce acne and dandruff, and can soothe burns, bites, and wounds. (x) (x)Applied to the face, a cream that includes moringa extract can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and can even out skin tone. It can help you look years younger and enjoy a fresher, more glowing look to your skin. (x) (x)
More About Moringa
The moringa tree grows quickly and can reach a height of 40 ft. In colder climates, the moringa tree flowers only once a year. In its more native warmer climates, it can flower twice, or even perpetually through the year. The leaves are small and oval-shaped and are a bright, vibrant green. There are 13 different moringa tree species, but the one that’s most widely grown, and the one that has the most health benefits, is the moringa oleifera.
While each part of the tree has its use, the moringa leaves hold most of its vitamins, minerals and healing compounds, and the seeds are close behind. Since it grows so quickly, it’s possible to harvest leaves and seeds multiple times per year. It’s a sustainable and renewable plant, so it’s as beneficial to the earth as it is to humans. Manufacturers create the extract by drying the leaves and seeds, then grinding them into a fine powder, and then used as a supplement or mixed in foods or drinks.
Moringa is only available fresh in its native regions in Asia, India and parts of Africa, though rarely consumed in that form. Instead, traditional cultures make teas, drinks or medicinal applications.
Where to Buy Moringa?
You can purchase moringa powder at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying moringa powder? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order.
Moringa Side Effects
Side effects of moringa are infrequent. It has a track record of being safely used for thousands of years. Though the benefits substantially outweigh potential side effects, some may include:
- Interfering with fertility
- Cell mutations when consumption of high quantities of seeds occurs
- Uterine spasms
- Heart rate slows down
- Lower blood pressure
Moringa Dosage
Because studies are still lacking in modern scientific studies in humans, there’s no specific recommended dose.
Supplements can come in two forms — whole leaf or extracts. In human studies, taking 8 grams of whole leaf powder per day was safe for 40 days. There haven’t been toxicity studies in humans with moringa extracts, but animal studies suggest that at least 400 mg of extract per day is safe. (x)
Studies regarding pregnant and breastfeeding women taking moringa are not substantial enough to determine if it is safe or not. There is anecdotal evidence that it can increase breast milk supply, however. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare professional before using moringa extract.
Moringa supplements as either whole leaf or extract mixes in water, juice or other beverages. It has an herbal flavor as many highly nutritious plant extracts do. If you don’t enjoy the herbal flavor, try adding it to a smoothie, or making a tea with lemon and honey. You can even add it to savory dishes like soups and stews. You can take moringa as a powder filled in capsules as well and taken with any other supplement.
The Bottom Line
Moringa is one of the oldest plant supplements with a long history of use. Though modern scientific data is still emerging, the nutritional profile of the plant speaks for itself. With vitamins, minerals and powerful phytonutrients, moringa supports all around health. Current research suggests moringa can also have important applications in managing chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, and arthritis.
Though there are potential side effects, they are minimal, with the benefits overshadowing any possible harmful effects.
Recognized as a “plant of the year” because it can dramatically improve many conditions and positively impact the environment. Luckily, moringa is now accessible outside of the tropics and easy to incorporate into any dietary regimen.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.