The scientific name of the Moringa plant is Moringa oleifera and belongs to the family Moringaceae. It is known to have many health benefits. Welcome to Moringa.Works – a website dedicated to the Moringa tree and maintained by O. M. Jonathan. Continue reading…
Moringa plant is native to sub-Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It can also be cultivated in subtropical and tropical areas. Medicines are commonly made from the seeds, root, fruit, flowers, bark, and leaves of the moringa plant.
Other names of moringa plant include
- Drumstick tree
- Miracle tree
- Ben oil tree
- Horseradish-tree
Several health benefits are associated with the moringa plant.
Nutritional supplements
Moringa plant is full of healthy nutrients and contains many vitamins and minerals. That’s why the moringa plant is called a miracle plant. Healthful compounds in moringa plan include
- Vitamin A (from beta-carotene)
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
- B2 (riboflavin)
- B3 (niacin)
- B-6
- Folate
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Protein
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
It has very low fat content and contains no harmful cholesterol. Dried leaves of moringa plant can be used as a supplement in capsule and powder form. Leaves of the moringa plant are a rich source of minerals and vitamins as compare to pods and other parts.
There are some compounds present in the moringa plant that affect the absorption of the proteins and minerals.
Bone health
Presence of calcium and phosphorus make moringa plan a good candidate to support the bone health. It makes bone stronger and healthier. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties also manage diseases related to bones such as arthritis.
Treating mood disorders
Moringa regulates the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline in the brain and thus play vital role organ functions, mood, and behavior. It also plays a critical role in managing fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It is also useful in the treatment of Alzheimer disease.
Rich source of Antioxidants
Free radicals in the body cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell damage and linked with many chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. Variety of antioxidant compounds are present in moringa plant, especially in seeds, flowers, and leaves. Leaves have higher antioxidant properties than seeds and flowers. Antioxidants fight against the free radicals in the body.
Vitamin c, Beta –carotene, Chlorogenic acid, Quercetin are the major antioxidants found in moringa plant. Quercetin is helpful in lowering blood pressure, whereas Chlorogenic acid reduces blood sugar levels after meals. Moringa leaf extract can enhance the shelf life of meat by limiting oxidation and thus also used as a food preservative.
Anti-Inflammatory effect
Inflammation is a normal process our body shows after injury or infection. From minor injuries to chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, obesity, heart disease, and cancer inflammation occur almost in every case.
Anti-inflammatory affects are provided by many natural foods and vegetables, but the degree of anti-inflammatory effects highly depend on anti-inflammatory compounds. Isothiocyanates present in the Moringa seeds, leaves and pods have anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes and proteins in the body.
Lower Cholesterol levels
Risks of heart diseases increase with the increasing levels of cholesterol in the blood. Many natural plant-based foods are involved in lowering cholesterol levels such as oats, almonds, and flaxseeds. However, lipid-lowering benefit is also provided by the Moringa plant. Primarily the plaque formation in the arteries is prevented by moringa leaf extract and thus lowers cholesterol levels.
Protection Against Arsenic Toxicity
Food and water contaminated with the arsenic have many complications, including cancer, arsenic toxicity, and heart diseases. Leaves and seeds of moringa plant known to protect against some of the toxic effects of arsenic.
Healthy skin and hair
As moringa plant contain high protein content, it protects and nourishes the hairs and skin. Moringa seed oil is useful for protecting hairs as it fights against free radicals and keeps hairs healthy and clean. Moringa seed oil protects the scalp, gives strength to the hair roots, and boost hair growth.
Detoxifying and hydrating compounds found in moringa seed oil boost the hair and skin health. These compounds counter the effects of pollutants and slowdowns aging and prevent wrinkles. That’s why it is commonly used in cosmetic products. It also cures sores and skin infections and infections due to herpes simplex virus.
Treating edema
The anti-inflammatory properties of moringa also useful in treating edema, a condition caused by fluid buildup in tissues.
Reducing Blood Sugar Levels
The reason behind many health issues is higher blood sugar levels. Higher blood sugar levels cause diabetes, increases risks of heart diseases as well. To keep your blood sugar level within the normal range, moringa plant have some compounds such as isothiocyanates that can help to reduce blood sugar levels.
Chlorogenic acid present in Moringa plant has antidiabetic and hormone balancing properties, and also assist in controling blood sugar levels. It allows cells to utilize glucose only when needed.
Besides lowering blood sugar levels, moringa leaf powder also reduces the oxidative stress in diabetic patients and protect cell damage.
Useful in cancer PREvention
Extracts of moringa helpful in preventing the development of cancer, especially niazimicin found in moringa suppress the growth of cancer cells.
Protecting the liver
The damage caused by the anti-tubercular drugs to the liver can be protected by moringa extracts. It speeds up the repair process.
Moringa oil contains a high concentration of polyphenols which protect the liver against toxicity, oxidation, and damage. It also minimizes the fibrosis and liver damage by restoring enzymes of the liver to normal levels and increasing protein content in the liver.
Good for digestive health
Ulcerative colitis, gastritis, and constipation can be treated with the moringa. Moringa also useful in helping digestion due to the presence of vitamin B and it also inhibit the growth of many pathogens due to its antimicrobial properties and thus treats various digestive conditions. It’s anti-inflammatory properties also contribute to the treat various stomach problems.
Treating bacterial diseases
Moringa contributes to treat a variety of infections caused by Salmonella, E. coli and Rhizopus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, due to its antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial properties. These properties are useful in treating infections of the skin, blood, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract.
Protecting the cardiovascular system
Due to antioxidant properties, moringa extract maintains a healthy heart and prevent cardiac damage.
Presence of niaziminin and isothiocyanate prevent the arteries from thickening and thus help to reduce blood pressure.
Treating asthma
Moringa prevents bronchial constriction during athematic episodes and helps to improve the overall function of lungs and breathing.
Eye health
Moringa improves the eyesight and overall health of the eye by preventing the thickening of capillary membrane, inhibiting dilation of retinal vessels. These eyesight boosting properties are linked with its antioxidant properties.
Treatment of anemia
Red blood cell count can be increased by moringa, which is actually due to its property of facilitating absorption of iron. That’s why it is helpful in treating sickle cell disease and anemia.
Promote wound healing
Blood clotting properties are present in the seeds, leaves, and roots of the moringa plant, which can shorten the clotting time and promote wound healing.
Boosts Immunity
Moringa extracts promote the activity of the immune system by increases total leucocyte count and antibodies.
Immunosuppressive Properties
What is Immunosuppressive? Treatment that lowers the activity of the body’s immune system. This reduces its ability to fight infections and other diseases, such as cancer. Immunosuppressive properties of moringa plan are mainly due to its seeds. Immunosuppressive action of seeds of moringa assist in the production of antibodies and help in the transplantation of new organs so that they safely settle in the body.
Moringa Works 