Health benefit of Moringa Oleifera – known as the miracle tree, it helps fight so many diseases and keep you healthy as long as you live.
Moringa Oleifera, also known as the “miracle tree,” “drumstick tree,” or “horseradish tree,” is a fast-growing tree native to South Asia and now found throughout the world. Its leaves have been used as part of traditional medicine and the Ayurvedic system of medicine associates it with the cure or prevention of about 300 diseases. Its leaves are packed with an incredible amount of nutrients; calcium, protein, potassium, beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C…..name it. The fact that Moringa grows rapidly and easily makes it especially appealing for impoverished areas
Health benefit of Moringa Oleifera – 14 health benefits of Moringa Oleifera
The fact that moringa grows rapidly and easily makes it especially appealing for impoverished areas, and it’s been used successfully for boosting nutritional intake in Malawi, Senegal, and India. Moringa can be the most nutritious food locally available in these areas, and it can be harvested year-round. Moringa is commonly known as the drumstick tree because of the pods that hang from it during the major part of the year. 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 India cuisine. The seeds are used to extract oil and the flowers can be cooked and eaten. Its bark, sap, seeds, oil, leaves, roots, and flowers are used in making traditional medicines in many countries. The most amazing thing about this moringa is that all parts of the plant including its bark, roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, sap, and pods are a storehouse of nutrients and antioxidants.
Thus, this plant possesses innumerable health benefits and has the capacity of curing several diseases. For this reason, it is referred to as the “miracle tree” and is widely used in traditional medicine. Moringa leaves contain seven times more potassium than bananas and twice the amount of protein as that contained in milk. Milk is considered to be an important source of calcium, but Moringa leaves contain four times more calcium than milk.
They contain four times more vitamin A or beta-carotene than carrots. The powder which is prepared by grinding the dried leaves of Moringa contains seven times more vitamin C than oranges, 25 times the amount of iron in spinach, 36 times the amount of magnesium in eggs, 50 times the amount of vitamin B3 than peanuts, and 50 times more vitamin B2 than bananas. Also, Moringa leaves contain all the essential amino acids needed for growth and development of the body.
The Moringa oil, known as Ben oil (due to the high concentration of behenic acid contained in the oil) is extracted from the seeds. The seeds contain 35-40% oil by weight. The oil has more impressive attributes than olive oil. It is used in cooking, perfumes, and cosmetics; and because it won’t spoil and turn rancid, it is also used as a preservative and machinery lubricant. What’s left after the oil has been extracted from the seeds is called “seed cake,” which is used as feed to increase milk production in cows.
Health benefit of Moringa Oleifera
Increases breast milk in lactating mothers: this is one of the most appreciated health benefits of Moringa in India because breast milk is the mainstay of infants in the first year of life. Moringa leaves toasted in a spoonful of butter would be given every day to lactating mothers as part of traditional postpartum care.
If any ailment or general fatigue causes a decrease in breast milk production in the following months, Moringa leaves are 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 leaves could be an obvious reason for the increased breast milk production, but there could be more to it than that.
Controls blood sugar
eating a tablespoon of lightly toasted Moringa leaves early in the morning is a traditional herbal remedy for hyperglycemia. 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.
Reduces inflammation
the isothiocyanates, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in Moringa leaves, pods, and seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Maintains healthy cholesterol levels
Moringa has cholesterol-lowering properties. Many traditional medicine systems of Asia have been using the extract of Moringa leaves and roots as heart tonics. These herbal preparations have been shown to reduce serum cholesterol and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Protects against arsenic toxicity
contamination of groundwater by arsenic has become a cause of global public health. The leaves and seeds of Moringa help protect against some of the effects of arsenic toxicity, which is especially important in light of news that common staple foods such as rice, may be contaminated.
Balances hormones and slows the effect of ageing: knowing that levels of valuable antioxidant enzymes get affected during the postmenopausal period due to deficiency of youthful hormones, including oestrogen, the use of Moringa along with amaranth leaves help slow the effects of ageing and balances hormones naturally.
Health benefit of Moringa Oleifera
Improves digestive health:
Moringa contains anti-inflammatory properties which have been used to prevent or treat stomach ulcers, liver disease, kidney damage, fungal or yeast infections, digestive complaints, and infections. The use of Moringa oil helps to boost liver function and therefore detoxifying the body of harmful substances, such as heavy metal toxins. It also helps to fight kidney stones, urinary tract infections, constipation, fluid retention/edema, and diarrhea.
Protects and nourishes the skin:
Moringa contains natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral compounds that protect the skin from various forms of infection. Moringa oil is applied directly to the skin as a drying, astringent agent used to kill bacteria. When used regularly, it is known to act as a lubricant and hydrate the skin by restoring its natural moisture barrier. It is commonly used in food manufacturing and perfumes because it prevents spoilage by killing bacteria, plus it has a pleasant smell and reduces odors. Some of the ways Moringa is used on the skin include: reducing athlete’s foot, eliminating odors, reducing inflammation associated with acne breakouts, treating pockets of infection or abscesses, getting rid of dandruff, fighting gum disease (gingivitis), and helping heal bites, burns, wounds, and viral warts.
Fights various types of cancers:
since cancerous growths are triggered by free radicals damage at the cellular level, it is not surprising that Moringa should have an anti-cancer effect. It has a beneficial action on the liver, lungs, ovarian, and skin cancer.
Provides energy boost:
Moringa has a heavy load of antioxidants to reduce cell damage. It also contains high amounts of vitamins, minerals and most importantly, all the essential amino acids required for the repairs and regeneration of tissues. This highly nutritious, wholesome food can provide a long-lasting energy boost.
Improves immune function:
Moringa helps to increase immunity and offers protection against seasonal ailments. In India, Moringa leaves are part of the herbal supplement given to HIV+ve patients as an adjuvant to anti-retroviral therapy.
Promotes weight loss:
this could be due to many factors. The anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect helps reduce water retention. The high fiber contents reduce fat absorption in the gut. The reduction in insulin resistance may prevent fat accumulation.
Stimulates hair growth:
the presence of zinc, vitamin A and E, as well as the amino acids required for the production of keratin, make Moringa an excellent hair tonic. The oil extracted from the seeds is used in many high-quality skin and hair care products. Moringa seed oil improves blood circulation in the scalp and stimulates hair growth.
Supports brain health:
Moringa supports brain health and cognitive function because of its antioxidants and neuro-enhancer activities. It is also used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with favorable preliminary results. Its high content of vitamin E and C fight oxidation that leads to neuron degeneration, improving brain function.
Health benefit of Moringa Oleifera
Uses of Moringa
- The seeds can be removed from matured pods and eaten like peas or roasted like nuts.
- The flowers can be eaten raw or cooked.
- The roots are shredded and used as a condiment in the same way as horseradish.
- The leaves are cooked and used like spinach, its leaves can be dried and crushed into powder and used in soups and sauces.
- The seeds are used as a sexual virility drug for treating erectile dysfunction in men and also in women for prolonged sexual activity. The Moringa seeds can be used to produce
- edible oil (called ben oil). The seed cake remaining after the oil extraction may be used as a fertiliser or as a flocculent to purify water.
- The sap can be used for a blue dye.
- The bark gum is occasionally used as a food seasoning.
- The Moringa leaves can be used to make tea or juice. It is mostly used by diabetic patients to help regulate their blood sugar.
- The oil from the seeds can be used for perfumes, cosmetics, and lubrication. The oil can also be used for cooking and can be applied on the hair for healthy hair growth.
Health benefit of Moringa Oleifera – While this natural food helps you stay healthy, it does not stop the need to see your doctor