The Many Benefits of Super Moringa

Moringa is a small to medium-sized tropical tree native to the Indian subcontinent.  The Moringa tree is known to have innumerable health benefits, but the natives value it as a great food source. The leaves, flowers and the green pods of Moringa are all edible; and are widely used in Indian cuisine. 

It has been promoted as the Miracle Tree, thanks to its contribution to fighting malnutrition, checking water pollution and offering seemingly magical cures for a plethora of disease conditions. 

Moringa offers excellent nutritional support

Moringa leaves are an excellent calcium source and a storehouse of many other minerals and vitamins. Moringa contains 17 times more of calcium than milk and 25 times more iron than spinach. Moringa’s beta-carotene content is 10 times more than carrots. It is rich in minerals like potassium, iron and zinc and in Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins. 

Moringa is surprisingly rich in protein too, containing 4 times of what eggs provide. There are 2 grams of protein in every cup of fresh Moringa leaves. Although most vegetable sources of protein are considered inferior to animal sources, Moringa has the advantage of containing all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. 

Moringa lowers serum cholesterol

Mainstream medicine is starting to recognize some of the health benefits of Moringa, one among them being its capacity to reduce cholesterol.  Many traditional medicine systems of Asia have been using Moringa as a heart tonic. These herbal preparations have been shown to reduce serum cholesterol and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. 

Laboratory studies in rabbits have shown 50% reduction of serum cholesterol and 86% reduction of atherosclerotic plaque formation in 12 weeks of administering Moringa. 

Moringa helps to control blood sugar

Taking Moringa first thing in the morning is a traditional herbal remedy for hyperglycemia. Recent laboratory studies using Moringa on diabetic animals show that this is indeed helpful in regulating blood sugar. The beneficial effect is partially attributed to the fiber content, but the quercetin-3-glucoside in Moringa as well the isothiocyanates and chlorogenic acid could be playing an important role. 

Small-scale studies on diabetic people taking Moringa have shown promise when taken for a period of 3 months. Moringa has been found to significantly reduce blood sugar spikes after a meal. 

Moringa may help fight various types of cancers

The anti-cancer arsenal of Moringa is impressive. Besides antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, it contains kaempferol, quercetin, and rhamnetin. Since cancerous growths are triggered by free radical damage at the cellular level, it is not surprising that Moringa should have an anti-cancer effect. Lab tests have proven that it has a beneficial action against liver, lung, ovarian and skin cancers. While more studies are being done to assess the clinical significance of these findings, it doesn’t hurt to include more Moringa in our diet as a nutritional supplement. 

Moringa reduces inflammation in the body

The inflammatory response to injuries is an integral part of the natural healing mechanism of the body, but chronic inflammation, probably resulting from the damage inflicted by free radicals, can have an adverse effect on our metabolic system. Heart disease and metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and diabetes are thought to be the result of chronic inflammation. 

Not only the leaves of Moringa, but its fruits and flowers used as a vegetable as well as the extract of its seeds, have anti-inflammatory action. Including them in the form of a supplement may help ward off these disease conditions. 

Moringa provides an energy boost

Our body is in constant need of energy just to function normally. The energy requirements of our body for the growth and repair of tissues are met by the food we eat, but as we age, our body faces more cellular damage and becomes less efficient in the regenerative process. This makes us tired and listless. We often depend on energy boosters like caffeine, but they only provide temporary spurts. Besides, we tend to need ever increasing doses to get the same effect. 

Moringa has a heavy load of antioxidants to reduce cell damage. It also contains high amounts of vitamin, minerals, and most importantly, all the essential amino acids required for the repair and regeneration of tissues. This highly nutritious, wholesome supplement can provide lasting energy boost. 

Moringa improves immune function

Moringa helps increase immunity and offers protection against seasonal ailments. In India, Moringa is added to lentil soups during the cold and flu season to increase disease resistance. This practice is a lifesaver in poor communities where people live in crowded, unsanitary conditions with little or no access to medical facilities. Moringa is part of the herbal supplement given to HIV+ patients as an adjuvant to anti-retroviral therapy. 

Moringa promotes weight loss

People taking Moringa often report weight loss. This beneficial effect could be due to many factors. The anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect helps reduce water retention. The high fiber content reduces fat absorption in the gut. The reduction in insulin resistance may prevent excess fat accumulation. 

Moringa is useful for treating gastrointestinal problems

Taking Moringa daily is the best way to keep things moving. Moringa has a mild laxative effect. The high fiber content facilitates easy movement of stomach contents along the digestive tract and relieves constipation. Moringa can take care of minor digestive problems caused by gastrointestinal worms and microbes 

Moringa increases breast milk in lactating mothers

Of all the health benefits of Moringa, this is one of the most appreciated in Indian communities, especially in economically weaker sections, because breast milk is the mainstay of infants in the first year of life. Moringa would be given every day to lactating mothers as part of traditional postpartum care. If any ailments or general fatigue causes a decrease in breast milk production in the following months, Moringa is added to the diet again. This ensures not only plenty of milk supply but good weight gain and robust health for the infant. 

The high calcium content of Moringa could be an obvious reason for the increased breast milk production, but there could be more to it than that. For instance, the effect of calcium supplements comes nowhere near the copious milk production resulting from the use of Moringa leaves. 

Moringa can improve kidney function

The Moringa tree is also known as horseradish tree because a spicy condiment similar to horseradish sauce can be prepared from its root. The diuretic and detoxifying properties of Moringa help improve kidney function and resolve urinary tract infections. 

  Moringa is used to treat kidney stones since it helps flush out excess calcium from the kidneys. While helping to expel the stones, it can reduce the associated pain and inflammation too. 

Moringa regulates thyroid function

Moringa seems to be having a regulatory action on the thyroid gland. For example, people with Grave’s disease or overactive thyroid find significant improvement in their symptoms on regular use of Moringa supplements. Inflammatory conditions of the thyroid such as Hashimoto’s disease could be resolved without medication if Moringa is consumed regularly. 

Moringa provides relief from rheumatoid arthritis

Moringa has immune-modulating properties that are particularly useful in treating autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and psoriasis. Many herbal preparations for arthritis include Moringa. The anti-inflammatory effect reduces the pain and swelling of the joints. 

Moringa gives relief from insomnia

Including Moringa in the diet is known to improve sleep. Taking Moringa may be just as effective as other sleep remedies. The amino acid tryptophan found in appreciable amounts in Moringa could be a contributing factor. It is essential for the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin and the sleep cycle regulating hormone melatonin. Vitamin B6 is another necessary player in serotonin production, and Moringa is rich in that too. 

Moringa stimulates hair growth

Moringa seed oil improves blood circulation in the scalp and stimulates hair growth. The abundance of Zinc, and Vitamins A, and E, as well as the amino acids required for the production of keratin, makes Moringa an excellent hair tonic. 

Taking Moringa supplements is very effective, as they supply the minerals and B complex vitamins that are important for hair growth. 

Moringa reduces dandruff and other scalp problems

Moringa promotes blood circulation and regulates the oil glands in the hair follicles, improving overall scalp health. Moringa is found to be effective in controlling dandruff and hair loss. 

Moringa controls skin wrinkles and fine lines

Moringa tree has a long history of being used as a skin detoxifier and wrinkle remover. The Egyptians used it in cosmetic preparations as an anti-aging emollient as early as 1400 BC. Rich in vitamins A, C and E, and a number of B complex vitamins as well, it is no surprise that the oil has excellent antioxidant property. 

Antioxidants reduce the cell damage and aging caused by free radicals and help maintain the smoothness and youthful appearance of the skin 

Moringa reduces acne and blackheads

Moringa helps in reducing common skin complaints such as acne and blackheads that arise from imbalances in oil secretion by skin glands. They are often worsened by bacterial and fungal infections. 

Moringa’s antiseptic property reduces bacterial overload in the hair follicles, while the anti-inflammatory effect prevents inflammatory acne that usually require antibiotic treatments. Long-term use of topical antibiotics is known to cause acne flare-ups resulting from increased bacterial resistance, but no such adverse effect has been observed with regular use of Moringa. 

Moringa helps control eczema and psoriasis 

Moringa has an ameliorating effect on skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The anti-inflammatory substances in Moringa help control inflammation while the antiseptic effect protects the skin from secondary infections that exacerbate these conditions