Moringa Oleifera is an indian plant by origin with its roots literally in North India. It goes by a variety of names like Horseradish Tree or Ben Oil Tree and Drumstick Tree. It has been praised for its various health benefits for thousands of years. Because it is extremely rich in antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds, it has gained a special place in ancient medicine. Despite that scientists have so far investigated only a fraction of its several health benefits and those of the Organic Moringa Products derived from it. Nearly all parts of this tree can be eaten or used in one way or another as an ingredient in traditional herbal medicine. The leaves and pods of this plant are commonly eaten in many parts of India and Africa. They are also available in powder and capsule form.
Benefits of Moringa Oleifera are not limited to just medicine. Its leaves have an excellent nutrition profile and it is a very good source of many vitamins and minerals. A cup of freshly chopped Moringa leaves (21 grams) contains the following:
- 2 grams of Protein
- Vitamin B6 which is19% of the RDA
- Vitamin C which is12% of the RDA
- Iron which is 11% of the RDA
- Riboflavin (B2) which is 11% of the RDA
- Vitamin A (from beta-carotene) which is 9% of the RDA
- Magnesium which is 8% of the RDA
Some Of The Most Incredible Benefits Of Moringa Oleifera
- Moringa Oleifera is highly rich in antioxidants that act to control free radicals in your body. It prevents oxidative stress that can result in chronic problems like heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes.
- It also contains Quercetin which is a powerful antioxidant that helps lower blood pressure.
- Other than this Organic Moringa Products have Chlorogenic acid as well which is found in high amounts in coffee, and can help moderate your blood sugar levels.
- You can also use Moringa leaf extract as a food preservative if you want to increase the shelf life of meat and reduce its oxidation process.
- You can use this plant when you are struggling with high blood sugar levels. According to studies taking 1.5 teaspoons of moringa leaf powder daily for 3 months can reduce fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%. Another study confirmed that adding 50 grams of moringa leaves into a meal can reduce the rise in blood sugar by 21%.
- Inflammation may be our body’s essential protective mechanism but in many cases it may become a major health issue. According to many scientists isothiocyanates present in moringa leaves, pods and seeds are anti-inflammatory in nature and can have profound effects on our inflammation problems.
- Just like flaxseeds, oats and almonds, moringa oleifera also has cholesterol-lowering effects.
- Many parts of the world suffer from arsenic contamination of food and water. When exposed for a long time, this can even result in an increased risk of cancer and heart diseases. Several studies have shown the leaves and seeds of moringa oleifera to contain a compound that can protect us against some effects of arsenic toxicity.
Are There Any Side Effects & Safety Precautions Of Moringa Oleifera Or Its Products?
Well, to be fair let’s say that Moringa is 99% SAFE. You step into the remaining 1% zone when you are not taking it by mouth and or when not using it appropriately. Its leaves, fruits, and seeds are very much safe when eaten as food. However, many experts are of the opinion that its root and its extracts should be avoided as much as possible. These parts of this plant may contain a substance which is toxic in nature and can cause paralysis and even death in some cases. You can consumer Moringa safely in doses of up to 6 grams on a daily basis for up to 3 weeks. Apart from this, it is safe to say that there isn’t much information on the topic that will let you know whether moringa is safe or not when used in medicinal amounts.
What About Any Special Precautions & Warnings?
Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding
You shouldn’t be using any of its roots or root extracts when you are pregnant or breastfeeding. In fact you should also avoid its bark or flowers if you are pregnant. According to research the chemicals present in the root, bark, and flowers of this plant result in an unusual contraction of the uterus, and this can lead to a miscarriage. Again many experts are still not certain about whether to use other parts of this plant or not during pregnancy but you are always advised to exercise caution and stay on the safe side by avoiding its use.
While you may find Moringa useful in increasing breast milk production and there is reliable evidence to support that claim as well but there still isn’t enough proof or information that tells us just how safe it is for the nursing infant. Therefore, your doctor will also suggest you to avoid moringa if you are currently breast-feeding.
Healthy Dosing
This is a very critical factor. What amount of it you should take as a dose will depend on a number of factors such as your age, overall health, and several other conditions. Again at this point of time there is no complete data or enough scientific information that can help us determine an appropriate range of dose.
But what we should keep in mind is that natural products may or may not always be safe. You will have to be very careful about their dosages and also make sure to follow relevant directions on the product packaging. Pay attention to labels and also do consult your pharmacist or physician before using them.
Well, The Bottom Line Is That
Moringa Oleifera an Indian tree that is much sought after for various reasons and has enjoyed a special and unrivalled place in traditional medicine for thousands of years still suffers from anonymity. Not many people are aware of it and this is because only a few of its many health benefits have been studied. As time passes by we will learn more amazing benefits of Moringa Oleifera and Organic Moringa Products as well.