Benefits of Moringa
Popularly known to many countries as a “miracle plant”, Moringa Oleifera earned its reputation because of the wide range of nutritional and medicinal properties which can be acquired from almost any part of the tree. As one of the most cultivated species of its kind, it belongs to the genus Moringa – the sole genus in the Moringaceae family. It grows primarily in places which have tropical, subtropical and semi-arid climate. The Moringa tree is indigenous to north-western India, particularly in the southern foothills of the Himalayas. It is currently cultivated extensively in Central/South America, Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines and India.The Moringa tree goes by different names in different countries. In the Philippines, it is known as malunggay, and referred to as Muringa in India (Malayalam), Sajina in Bangladesh, and La Mu in China. Moringa benefits are quite plentiful, and these are clearly evident in its exceptional nutritional value and remarkable medicinal properties. This miracle plant is overflowing with vitamins such as Vitamins A, B, C, D and E, and minerals which include potassium, calcium, iron, selenium and magnesium. The Moringa leaf alone is a treasure chest of potent and disease-preventing nutrients, as well as essential amino acids – something which is not very common for a plant source.
When compared to other food sources, Moringa leaves are more potent in nutritional value. Its Vitamin C content is seven times more than that of oranges, has thirteen times more vitamin A than spinach, and is on a league of its own when it comes to amino acids – 2,500 times more than green tea and 242 times more than apple. It is also a good source of good cholesterol – high density lipoprotein, which, in high levels, is known to protect against cardiovascular diseases. Breastfeeding mothers can also greatly benefit from fresh
Moringa leaves as they are known to increase the volume of milk. Moringa leaves are completely safe for consumption – they have no known negative side-effects, nor toxic elements.
Moringa leaves are the most used to make Moringa tea. Since the tree’s leaves are packed with exceptional nutritional value, they are infused into one of the world’s most highly-prized herbal tea. Moringa tea contains a combination of potent variety of antioxidants, such as Flavonoids, which help in inhibiting the effects of free radicals. This herbal tea has a wide variety of medicinal applications – it can be used to help stabilize blood pressure, manage glucose levels in people with diabetes, and help promote better sleep. It is also an excellent energy booster, the natural way, and unlike energy drinks, coffee or other tea, it does not contain caffeine or other stimulants which may cause health problems.
The seeds of the tree can be used to produce what is known as Moringa oil. This special oil is at par with the likes of olive oil and sunflower oil, and is well-known for its remarkable oxidative stability. Unlike other types of oil, this one will not go rancid, making it perfect for use with making salads and other cooking purposes. With its light texture, Moringa oil is also best used for body massage and aromatherapy procedures. Its high concentration of Oleic, Linoleic and Palmitoleic acids give this oil its nourishing and moisturizing properties. It is also a good natural antiseptic, which is very useful in alleviating and soothing discomfort from insect bites, rashes, and minor burns, bruises and scratches.
Extensive research and development procedures are being done with the Moringa tree – its
Moringa Leaves – Nature's Loving Touch In One Small Leaf
The moringa tree is one of nature’s best gifts to mankind because of its wide variety of uses, especially as a source of food and medicine. Virtually every part of this tree has its use; its leaves can be used for soups, the pods and flowers can be used as an ingredient in many dishes, the bark can be used to make blue dye, and many more. But no other part of the tree is more widely used and more nutritious than the moringa leaves. The leaves are known to be a significant source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, iron and protein. In fact, its nutritional content is incredibly better than most other food sources!The Vitamin C content of moringa leaves is seven times better than that of oranges; its calcium is four times more potent than that of milk, four times the Vitamin A found in carrots, triple the potassium of bananas, and has double the amount of protein found in yogurt. It is also said to contain powerful antioxidants, chlorophyll, omega-3 oils and amino acids. With over 90 essential nutrients in it, moringa is safe for consumption by anyone, whether children or adults, and is proven to be safe, non-toxic, and has no reported side-effects whatsoever.
Research has shown that moringa leaves are capable of treating around 300 health problems. It provides a natural way of boosting one’s energy levels unlike other sugar-based energy or stimulants such as caffeine. It may also help to manage cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood, improve blood circulation, normalize blood pressure, and even detoxify the body of many harmful toxins. With its potent content of antioxidants, moringa leaves can also bring back the natural glow of your skin, slow the down ageing, and fight cancer-causing free radicals.
Moringa leaves can be consumed fresh or cooked, and is used as an ingredient in many dishes and delicacies. It is also possible to have the leaves dried and made into powder form while still retaining a significant amount of its nutritional value. Moringa leaves can provide pregnant women with important nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, folic acid, calcium and iron, which are all important in improving the chances of conceiving a healthy baby. For nursing mothers, moringa leaves will not only improve the volume of breast milk they can provide, but also infuse the milk with better nutritional value.
Indeed, science has amazingly unlocked the nutritional secrets that these seemingly simple moringa leaves hold which can help strengthen our bodies, boost our energy naturally, improve our immune system, and heal or prevent many illnesses and diseases. Even to this day, the moringa tree is still undergoing continuous study to unveil more potential benefits that this miracle tree may provide us. It may be surprising to know that growing a moringa tree is very easy, as it requires very little care and grows in almost any kind of soil and climate. It’s like having your very own multi-vitamin and mineral factory in your own backyard!
Moringa Oil – What's So Special About It?
Moringa oil is one of the best oils that nature has to offer. It basically comes from moringa trees, particularly by extraction of its seeds. The seeds of the moringa tree can produce around 38 to 40% edible oil, and is also known as ben oil because of the high volume of behenic acid in it. Ben oil has a clear texture, is odorless, very stable and does not go rancid, making it perfect for making salads and other cooking purposes. This oil, which is comparable to botanical oils such as olive and sunflower oil, is also being used to make cosmetics, aromatherapy products, and even as lubricant in machines.Ben oil is widely used for making cosmetics because of its cleansing, healing and moisturizing properties. It may be used as an ingredient in skin moisturizers, lotions, shampoos, massage and aromatherapy oils, balms, and even as a perfume base. Research also shows that ben oil has some anti-aging properties due to the presence of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules which help thwart the effects of free radicals, which causes damage to our skin. Moringa oil is natural cleanser – making it very effective in cleansing and moisturizing our hair and scalp. Use it as a massage oil to relax and rejuvenate your body.
Moringa oil has been used many centuries ago by Romans as a primary ingredient in making perfumes, while Egyptians used them in the tombs of royalties to give them a touch of life. With today’s modern trends and industrialization, moringa oil still continues to prove its value, especially in the cosmetic industry. Moringa oil is an excellent food for our skin because it is rich in Vitamins A, C and E, as well as healthy unsaturated fatty acids. It also has some antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which make it very useful in treatment of insect bites, minor cuts and burns, rashes, and bruises.
The reason why moringa oil is highly prized as a base ingredient in making perfumes is because it is able to absorb and contain even the most volatile of scents. This is also the part where its stability and resistance to rancidity comes into play. Through an expensive and time-consuming process called enfleurage, the fragrances of exquisite flowers and plants can be captured, of which moringa oil is a very important component. The perfume industry highly values this oil because of its ability to stabilize many varieties of scents.
For people who are having problems with blackheads and pimples can use moringa oil to clear blemishes in their skin, while also helping tighten the skin pores. With regular use, it may help balance oil secretions in the skin, combat the effects of pollution on the skin, keep the skin healthy and maintain its natural glow. As food, moringa oil makes an excellent salad dressing, although it can also be used just like regular vegetable cooking oil in sautéing and deep frying as well. You might also be surprised to know that this oil is being used as a lubricant for fine machinery, and is even undergoing further research due to its potential as a bio fuel.
Moringa Oleifera – The Miracle Tree
Belongning to the only genus in the family Moringaceae – Moringa, Moringa Oleifera is the most extensively propagated tree of its kind. More commonly known as Moringa, this tree is packed with nutritional value and has a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic properties, which ultimately made many to refer to it as the “miracle tree”. This rapidly-growing and hardy tree is indigenous to the sub-Himalayan regions of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, although it is today widely cultivated in other countries such as Malaysia, Latin America, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. Virtually every part of the Moringa tree is edible or has significant use, making it one of the world’s most useful trees.What made Moringa Oleifera achieve its worldwide fame is because of its exceptionally potent mix of essential and disease-preventing nutrients, which are unusually better than most other food sources. It is rich in Vitamin A, containing four times the amount found in carrots, and thirteen times the amount found in spinach. Its Vitamin C content is seven times more than that of oranges, has four times the chlorophyll of wheat grass, and four times the amount of calcium in milk. Besides essential amino acids, Moringa is also a rich source of Zinc, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Selenium, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin K and Vitamin E.
Moringa Oleifera has so many medicinal and industrial applications – the leaves can be used for animal forage, production of biogas, making soups and sauces, and may also be used as a domestic cleaning agent. The wood, though low in quality, can be used to make blue dye. The seeds can be extracted to produce what is known as ben oil, which got its name due to its high concentration of behenic acid. This edible is odorless, has a clear texture, and is comparable to premium oils such as olive oil and sunflower oil as it is very stable and resists rancidity very well. After extracting the seeds of ben oil, the seed cake left makes an excellent fertilizer, or used to purify water by means of flocculation.
Moringa Oleifera is popular among pregnant and breastfeeding women because of its ability to prevent malnutrition, alleviate anemia, increase production of milk, and promote overall health of child. Studies also reveal that Moringa helps in the prevention of Mastitis – a common problem with breastfeeding women in which breasts become inflamed due to the blockage of milk ducts. Moringa has also been known to contain an antibacterial peptide, which is highly effective in combating the infection of Staphylococcus Aureus in breastfeeding women. Moringa leaves can also provide them with a significant amount of calcium, iron, sulfur, copper and B-vitamins.
Indeed, Moringa Oleifera has lived up to its name as the “miracle tree”. With a wide variety of applications from virtually any part of the tree, its versatility is simply one of the best – whether for medicine, cosmetics, culinary, home or industrial use. Today, scientists and medical experts are placing moringa under continuous research and development to unlock other untapped potential it may have.
