What is Moringa Good For?

If you’ve been to our site before you’ll most likely know all about Sea Moss. And if you’re clued up on Irish Moss Seaweed, then you probably have a pretty good understanding of what Moringa is.

But what if this is your first time down the rabbit hole? What exactly is Moringa, and what is Moringa good for?

This is a pretty deep topic, and I’ll do my best to hit as many points as possible for you while avoiding branching off unnecessarily.

What is Moringa?

Moringa oleifera (reclassified as Moringa oleifera Lam.) is a tree that has its roots (literally) in many parts of the world. Predominantly it is found in South America, Australia, Asia and Africa it has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. ^{1 2}

Different accounts claim that it was first used as far back as some 4000 years ago in India. That’s not to say there is any type of exclusive claim to Moringa by anyone.

A lot like other plants we have taken a closer look at, it has long been used across many cultures for its medicinal properties.

As a complement to Sea Moss it has also been found to have antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. ^{3 4 5}

But that’s not all. Studies have linked Moringa to being an antidepressant too. ⁶

There is little wonder that it has been referred to as the Miracle Tree, along with a host of other names. You might know it better than the Horseradish Tree.

The ability to use different parts of the Moringa tree includes everything from the roots to the seeds that form in the pods and everything in between.

The entire plant is edible and able to be prepared in several ways. The most common ways you’ll find Moringa on the market is where it has been made into a powder, or processed in a way that it can be used to make tea.

Some accounts from different parts of the world highlight that the bark in particular requires specific processing before it can be consumed.

Like all things when you’re pregnant or nursing, make sure you seek specialist advice first. Consuming Moringa may result in complications as there may be chemicals present that could cause uterine contractions and result in miscarriage.

Therefore, it’s best to find out before you decide to make it a part of your day.

An analysis of Moringa will typically return results showing the presence of ^{7 8}

• Iron
• Vitamin B1, B2 and B3
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Potassium, and
• Phosphorous

What are the Moringa benefits?

When we take a look at what Moringa can be used for the list seems to be ever-growing. With each passing day, we’re learning more and more about the uses of Moringa.

Everything from health right through to revitalized beautiful-looking skin is reported by many to be supported by what this amazing plant has to offer. A brief resume of these include: ⁹

• Supporting good mental health and brain function
• Helping with inflammation and fluid build-up
• Supporting organ function and health
• Improving digestive and gut health
• Supporting good bone health and the ability for wounds to heal, and
• Providing hope for solutions to serious diseases

Looking for a place to buy Moringa online? There are plenty of options on Amazon, but check the reviews before you buy.

May help Support good Mental Health and Brain Function

According to the research, the antioxidant properties of this plant may lend to improved quality of life for people suffering from depression and other mental health challenges.

Moringa extracts used in controlled experiments have yielded results that indicate that the combination of Moringa extracts and fluoxetine or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed that there may be potential for positive outcomes in cases of depression.

I would like to reiterate the point that we have made in other articles published here; we don’t approve of testing things on animals. Data related to human studies with Moringa is difficult to come by and very light on. ^{10 11}

Although anecdotal, we would strongly welcome your experiences with Moringa, should have any to support this, in the comments below.

The area of brain function and improved memory, although seemingly disconnected by some to the broader definition of mental health are connected.

Well, that’s my opinion as I believe that everything about us is connected, Nothing is isolated, not even the energy of our emotions from our physical being. It’s all a part of the whole.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the direct benefits that may be found in this plant on brain function and memory.

Typically age-related complications like dementia have been found to have been slowed, even mitigated, through potentially improving cognitive capabilities. ¹²

This is also connected to the oxidative stress that the body is exposed to and the consumption of the leaves from the Miracle Tree has been suggested to help promote spatial learning and better memory. ¹³

So, could this plant also be considered a nootropic? According to research into the nutraceutical potential it seems so. ¹⁴

The evaluation of Moringa against other synthetics like Piracetam and Scopolamine (Hyoscine) has shown that it has potential for further exploration in this area. ¹⁵

May help manage Inflammation and Fluid Buildup

Sufferers of oedema (also spelled as edema) know all too well the restrictive discomfort and pain that come with this remaining untreated. ¹⁶

The build-up of fluid as a result of any number of lifestyle and/or health-related causes can result in minor issues right through to more serious complications.

Moringa has been evaluated in many studies to assess the scope of anti-inflammatory effects that it can have in cases where it is administered as an aqueous extract. ¹⁷

The effect that extracts of Moringa leaves have had on inflammatory markers in the body suggests that through various means, including the inhibition of nitric oxide in the body under the Griess method, this could hold the key to dealing with inflammation-related diseases and disorders. ^{18 19}

For sufferers of joint pain as a result of rheumatoid arthritis, there is not only some very real hope as a result of the effects of Moringa leave extracts but also some encouraging calls for further studies to be completed with humans. ²⁰

May help Improve Organ Health

Liver

Liver damage is a fact of many lifestyle choices in the modern world, particularly when it comes to poor diet, alcohol, and drugs. The liver can be damaged through not only what are considered illicit substances, but also through prescribed medications. Moringa may help to combat this. ²¹

A side note to help you understand why this is a particular area of interest for me; my Grandmother worked as a Naturopath in her clinic which she established in her home in the 1940’s.

Being born into the family in the mid 1970’s, and influenced by her when she had some 40-plus years of experience under her belt, I got to see a different side of life growing up.

Both of my Grandparents live a life of paying the Farmer and avoiding the Pharma. Regarded by the local Doctors as the tow witch, Grandma always described pharmaceutical medication as poison, only that it was provided in small doses.

The misuse, and some would even go so far as to argue any use, of pharmaceutical medication can have damaging effects on your body.

Don’t believe me? Read the label on any pharmaceutical medication as to what kind of side effects you could expect. And then check out the ingredients on Medicine Wise and take a closer look at the side effects and what to do in the case that you take too much of the medication in question. ²²

Does that sound like it’s really good for you? Or does it sound like it is a part of a plan to keep you just well enough to keep needing the meds?

I’ll leave that question for you to answer for yourself based on your beliefs and values. It’s your choice to take what serves you and leave what doesn’t at the end of the day.

Kidney

Kidney damage can also occur through the same catalysts as in the liver. Where this is the result of exposure to drugs or toxins, this is referred to as nephrotoxicity effect or renal toxicity.

Interestingly, the research in one case where chronic kidney disease was looked at pointed to data being arguably inconclusive, right down to the summary offered. ²³

Yet other studies show that through a more ‘hands-on’ approach to the analysis Moringa may have renoprotective abilities. ²⁴

That is not to say that there is no such thing as an unhealthy amount of Moringa. You can certainly have too much of a good thing.

So, like with everything else, moderation is the key should you choose to add Moringa to your day. Add to that the encouragement to keep on with your research first, and speak to your trusted Healthcare Professional as your first points of call. ²⁵

Eyes

The leaves of the tree have been long used for treating a range of complications, including eye infections. Other studies completed looked at the improvement of eye health using extracts from the plant. ^{26 27}

The eye as an organ is exposed to high levels of oxidative stress. It was found that the dosing of Moringa helped to reduce the opacification of the lens under testing. ²⁸

Heart

Another key consideration in modern health is the heart, and heart function. The protective effects of the seeds from the appropriately dubbed Miracle Tree provided enough scope for the Researchers to conclude that heart health could be supported and positive outcomes may be found for those under further studies with cardiac disease. ²⁹

In the area of heart health, we need to include the cardiovascular health of the body too. ³⁰

Cardiovascular and blood health are critical. It starts to sound a little too good to be true, and magical when you find information that supports the body through various means of improving general physical and blood health also.

Particularly when you move from one end of the scale at high blood pressure, all the way through to sickle cell anemia with regards to the antioxidant properties, and even HIV with reports that there were positive changes cited in BMI and albumin levels. ^{31 32 33}

We’ll take a look at the possible light at the end of the tunnel in some areas of disease research a little later.

May help Improve Digestive and Gut Health

Depending upon what you find your diet consists of, you may be exposed to additives or substances that have had or are potentially having a detrimental effect on your gut health.

Sufferers of leaky gut syndrome can attest to how quickly the wrong foods have an impact on them.

Healing gut health is a big thing for us, as this was a key catalyst for some of our Team looking into the topic of nutritional health as a preventative measure.

Suffering from uncomfortable, right through to debilitating conditions, such as constipation, ulcerative colitis and even gastritis isn’t your body’s natural state. ³⁴

Check out what Dani Faust of Ok, Dani has to say about her experience with Moringa and how this helped her with IBS. We’re keen to hear how she’s gone with using the raw plant since 2018. Hey Dani, let us know in the comments below. ³⁵

I guess that answers the “Will Moringa make you poop?” question. ³⁶

May help Improve Healing

Bone breaks are no fun, so I’m told. Thankfully I’ve never had one, and I’ll dodge it for as long as I can. If I were to encounter such a situation I know I’ll be reaching for a double dose of Moringa ASAP.

The presence of calcium bound in a crystal form, calcium oxalate, in the stems and leaves of the plant is believed to be in higher concentrations than any animal-based (milk) source. Given I’m not going to reach for an animal-based product, this will be the way to go. ³⁷

Why won’t I go for milk you ask? You’ll have to subscribe and wait for the research that Christine has compiled in the eBook she’s been working on for the last year. Trust me, it’s mind-blowing!

Research into the stimulation of molecular regeneration of cells sounds like something from Sci-Fi movies where nanobots rebuild your body at a microscopic level. But, the truth of the matter is that your body can already do that on its own. It’s called healing.

Yes, we may not heal as well as we did when we were younger as we clock up the years. But if you give your body what it needs to do the best job it can, it will take that and turn it to supporting healing and repairing damaged cells to support life as a natural function. No nanobots are required. ³⁸

Moringa can play a part in fueling this healing process with all that it brings to the table. There are even reports that suggest it provides a defective means to reduce scaring. ³⁹

May help with Treating diseases

Diabetics may benefit from further research conducted into the proteins found in the Miracle Tree which could provide hope for more effective treatments. There are conflicting reports, like in other areas of research, but variations in the findings do prompt the need for further digging. ^{40 41 42}

To suggest that something ‘cures cancer’ is currently an irresponsible thing to do in my opinion. I have my beliefs in this area, and if you’re picking up on what I’m putting down, food matters, as much as how and when you eat.

Pay the Farmer, not the Pharma… But what about the pH? Hmmm…. That’s a conversation for another time, maybe face-to-face at some stage.

There has, however, been some interesting light shone on the topic over the years, and I can guarantee that you’ll never learn less! ⁴³

References

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Last Updated on 2 months by D&C Editorial Team