Did you know the botanical name for Moringa is Moringa oleifera, although it is more often known as a drumstick tree? Grown extensively throughout Southeast Asia and Africa, moringa is a “superfood” because of its high nutritional and mineral content.
But the moringa tree is a common houseplant. Moringa does not demand more watering or room. Because of this, it is simple to grow at home.
Moringa has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, depressive, and antifungal characteristics among its numerous pharmacological and health effects. The rationale behind the widespread usage of moringa in Ayurvedic and Unani traditional medicine. Moringa is a tropical plant that grows quickly, has strong tuberous roots, and produces many fruits and seeds, says the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). In Ayurvedic medicine, moringa is also used to treat asthma, skin and eye disorders, and epilepsy.
Soil pH levels between 4.5 and 8.5 are just OK for moringa plants. On the other hand, a slightly acidic pH is ideal for moringa tree growth.
What is Moringa?
The whole Moringa plant can be consumed. Having said that, traditional medicine extensively uses Moringa oleifera’s bark, roots, sap, flowers, and leaves, while the plant’s immature seed pods and leaves are used as food. In the United States alone, dried leaves are offered as nutritional supplements in powdered or pill form; the edible leaves are the most utilized portion of the plant.
Why is Moringa beneficial?
Several of its nutritional and physiological advantages are still being backed by modern science. The most important moringa health benefits and innovative uses are as follows:
- It has a lot of healthy nutrients.
Kuli Kuli Foods’ founder and chief executive officer, Lisa Curtis, claims that moringa leaves are “packed with protein, essential amino acids, 27 vitamins, and 46 antioxidants, making them one of the planet’s most nutrient-dense greens. Among these essential nutrients are vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, B vitamins, and calcium. In sum, moringa tea in the morning contains a wealth of bioactive chemicals, vitamins, and macronutrients essential for good health and illness prevention.
- It comprises anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is a normal physiological reaction that helps the body fight off infections and heal damaged tissues. The anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, antioxidants, and antibacterial chemicals found in moringa tea are what make it so effective. These potent chemicals work synergistically to decrease oxidative stress, inflammation, and illness by focusing on free radicals, which are molecules that harm cells.
In particular, studies single out quercetin and isothiocyanates as “two compounds of note” due to their anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. According to one research study, these moringa components may help reduce low-grade inflammation in chronic illnesses.
- Your desire to have sex may increase.
Stress may have a bad effect on sexual function, something you might not have known. An increase in cortisol and a decrease in dopamine might disrupt libido. The intricate process of sexual activity includes the highly sensitive brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, and muscles.
Moringa tea in the morning has a long history of usage as an aphrodisiac, which is believed to increase libido. People claim that moringa tea may increase libido by reducing cortisol and increasing testosterone, as shown in animal research.
One animal research found that moringa leaves helped men whose erections were affected by stress. To draw definite findings, “human studies are needed,” Jones says.
- You’ll experience a surge of energy
Incorporate moringa tea into your morning routine if you’re seeking a caffeine-free energy boost. The components involved in energy-yielding metabolism, such as iron, vitamins C and D, and minerals, are abundant.
The B vitamins included in moringa aid in maintaining energy levels and proper metabolic function over the long run. The best part is that, unlike with other caffeinated drinks, you won’t experience the typical collapse in energy, nervousness, or restlessness that follows.
- Potential to improve mood and cognition.
Research into the potential of plant extracts, such as moringa, to improve mood and cognition is ongoing. Moringa may enhance mental understanding because of its rich vitamin and amino acid composition. It has tryptophan, a building block for serotonin, famously known as the happiness hormone. Ultimately, this hormone “improves learning, motor function, and memory” by acting on the brain’s reward regions.
Moringa is a good source of vitamins C and E, two powerful antioxidants that are involved in developing some cognitive diseases by reducing oxidative damage to the brain.
- Maintains hormone balance
Regulating hormone imbalance is possible with moringa leaves and seeds. Antioxidants quercetin and chlorogenic acid, found in moringa, delay the onset of aging.
“Moringa oleifera: A review on nutritive importance and its medicinal application” is a study paper published in Science Direct that claims moringa is high in phytosterols such as stigmasterol, campesterol, and sitosterol, which are hormone precursors. The ducts of the mammary glands, which secrete milk to sustain the baby, are stimulated by these precursors, raising estrogen synthesis.
The antioxidant content of Moringa oleifera is abundant.
Chemicals that neutralize free radicals in the body are known as antioxidants.
Chronic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are linked to oxidative stress, which can be caused by high quantities of free radicals.
Researchers have discovered several plant components with antioxidant properties in Moringa oleifera leaves. These also contain beta-carotene and vitamin C.
One potent antioxidant that may aid in blood pressure reduction is quercetin.
Sodium chloride: Chlorogenic acid, which is present in coffee in high concentrations, may help regulate post-meal blood sugar levels.
According to one research, the antioxidant levels in women’s blood increased dramatically when they took 1.5 teaspoons (7 grams) of moringa leaf powder daily for three months. It is also possible to employ moringa leaf extract as a food preservative. By decreasing oxidation, it lengthens the time that meat may be stored.
In the end!
Traditional Indian medicine has used the moringa oleifera tree for thousands of years. However, scientific studies have only examined a handful of its purported health advantages.
In preliminary research, Moringa oleifera has shown promise for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. In addition to protecting against arsenic poisoning, it may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, moringa leaves are packed with nutrients, so they can help those who aren’t getting enough of them.
