Benefits of Moringa And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Sep 17, 2020
Moringa is one of the best plants to use for a holistic health experience. It can lead to numerous benefits as it contains more than triple the amount of nutrients found in other common plants, fruits, or vegetables. It has extremely powerful antioxidant properties and can protect your body from various problems such as chronic diseases, eye related problems, lung disorders, stomach, colon, and lung cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. It is known for having great anti-inflammatory properties due to which is considered just as effective as any store-bought drug that you might use. It balances out your hormones, which is particularly beneficial for women who have just been through menopause. As it is a good source of estrogen, it can also keep you looking young for much longer and fights the effects of ageing and oxidative stress. It improves the overall digestive health and also detoxifies the entire body. As a result, it is good for prevent kidney stones, dealing with constipation, and ensuring that your blood remains purified and free of any toxins that might harm your system. It is good for patients with diabetes as it can help regulate the level of sugar in the blood. It is an extremely effective mood stabilizer as well and promotes the secretion of serotonin. It is really good for your skin and can help prevent acne, dandruff, and skin infections that can be bacterial or fungal. It can also help you fight against allergies and asthma, deal with chronic headaches, and is a good remedy for anemia and epilepsy. This is why it is classified as a super food.
Moringa
Although Moringa has recently become all the rage when it comes to substances that are vital for holistic and organic health, not many people have heard of this herb. It has been in use for thousands of years and also goes by the name Ben Oil Tree. The National Institute of health even called this tree “Plant of the Year” back in 2008 because it has so many health benefits for your body. It is used all over the world to treat many illnesses and is mainly known for the fact that it is extremely good at healing.
Nutritional Value of Moringa
Any tree that’s been called the “Plant of the year” is bound to have a whole host of nutrients. When compared to any other good source of the same nutrient, this plant is certainly miles ahead. For instance, moringa leaves contain 220 mg of Vitamin C in them, while oranges, which are a good source of vitamin C, only have 30 mg. Similarly, moringa leaves have 440 mg of calcium, while cow’s milk only has 120 mg of the same. It has 259 mg of potassium, while bananas only have 88 mg. Finally, it has 6.2 g of protein while cow’s milk only has 3.2 g of the same. Thus, as you can see, moringa provides more nutrition than any other plant or food item out there and can therefore be extremely beneficial for your health.
Nutritional facts Per 100 grams
Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Moringa
It has anti-inflammatory properties
Often, people avoid herbal medication because it is either not as fast-acting as regular medication, or contains a milder dosage of the nutrients that they need in order to get better. With moringa, this is not true. Moringa has anti-inflammatory properties that can be compared to regular drugs that are bought from the pharmacy. It is filled with amino acids, phytonutrients, and antibacterial compounds.
It has antioxidant properties
Antioxidants are extremely important for the body. They help fight free radicals and boost the immune system, which basically leads to a healthier, sickness free body. Antioxidants also help fight against certain types of cancer and are extremely good for you. Moringa leaves are filled with anti-ageing properties. They lower oxidative stress and inflammation in your body with the help of vital nutrients like Vitamin C, quercetin, beta-carotene, chlorogenic acid, and polyphenols. As a result, you will be less likely to develop problems like chronic diseases, eye related problems, lung disorders, stomach, colon, and lung cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
It balances your hormones
Imbalanced hormones can lead to a host of problems. Using moringa leaves can help women who are going through menopause as they reduce the overall oxidative stress and inflammation in their bodies. Moreover, it helps to slow down the effects of ageing as it balances out the estrogen in the body and keeps you looking and feeling younger. They also increase the antioxidants in the body, which is always good.
It improves digestive health
As moringa is commonly known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine in order to improve digestive health. I can help treat ulcers in the stomach, fungal and yeast infections, kidney damage, and liver damage.
It detoxifies the body
Moringa oil is a commonly used oil in order to boost the function of the liver. It removes harmful toxins like heavy metal toxins from the body and can ensure that the entire system is clean and healthy. Due to the fact that it detoxifies the body, it can also help prevent related issues like kidney stones, constipation, urinary tract infections, fluid retention, edema and diarrhea.
It is good for diabetics
Moringa leaves contain chlorogenic acid. This acid can help regulate the sugar levels in the blood as it allows the cells in the body to take up or release sugar, as needed. As a result, moringa is extremely good for patients with diabetes. Moringa also contains isothiocyanates, which are known as nature’s protection against diabetes.
It is good for the skin
Another great benefit of Moringa is that it can protect and nourish your skin. It has antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial compounds which can protect the skin from rashes, irritants and other problems like infections. Moringa can be used to treat various skin related problems like athlete’s foot, acne, abscess, dandruff, bites, warts, burns, and wounds. When moringa oil is applied to the skin on a regular basis, it can work as a great natural moisturizer. It also helps reduce body odor as it has a pleasant natural smell that can mask your natural odor.
It stabilizes your mood
Moringa is not only good for your body, but is also good for your mental health and brain function. Moringa is a high protein food and is a very good source of the amino acid tryptophan. Thus, it benefits various neurotransmitter functions and can stimulate the production and release of serotonin, the hormone that induces happiness. Moringa is also filled with various compounds and antioxidants that affect your thyroid health. As a result, it can help you combat problems related to your libido, depression, fatigue, insomnia, and mood swings.
Other benefits
Moringa is also used for a variety of other ailments and illnesses. It is a good natural cure for asthma and allergies, mainly because of its high anti-inflammatory content. It can help you fight against anemia and purifies your blood as well. It is a good remedy for epilepsy. It is a good remedy for arthritis and can help with joint pain. It can also be used to treat chronic headaches.
Uses of Moringa
Moringa tree has been used all over the world in order to combat the symptoms of malnutrition in children in underdeveloped nations. This is because it can grow well in undernourished soils, making them ideal for certain countries like Somalia and India. Often, the moringa tree is used to bring back fertility to the soil. It can be used for its health benefits in many ways such as directly in its powder form, moringa tea, moringa oil, and moringa seeds.
.jpg)
Side-Effects & Allergies of Moringa
As this is a totally organic substance, moringa does not have any notable side effects when you ingest it orally or apply it on your skin for skin care. However, since this plant is so popular and has been around for such a long time, you’re likely to find a lot of supplements or synthetic versions of the same that can be harmful. Therefore, always strive to use the purest version of this plant for its health benefits and to avoid any problems. Pregnant women and women who are nursing should also avoid this plant as not much research has been conducted in this area and therefore, it is unclear whether or not it will affect you or your baby adversely. On the whole, it is pretty safe to use this plant in all the forms that it is available in. You just have to source it from a trusted source or brand.
Cultivation of Moringa
Moringa tree grows all over the world in areas with dry, or undernourished soils. Therefore, it is most commonly found in countries like Africa and India. This tree grows all year round and can be harvested for its numerous benefits at any given time.
References
- Abdull R, Ahmad F, Ibrahim MD, Kntayya SB. Health benefits of Moringa oleifera. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2014;15(20):8571-6. [Cited 27 June 2019]. Available from:
- Fahey JW. Moringa oleifera: a review of the medical evidence for its nutritional, therapeutic, and prophylactic properties. Part 1. Trees for life Journal. 2005 Dec 1;1(5):1-5. [Cited 27 June 2019]. Available from:
- Mahmood KT, Mugal T, Haq IU. Moringa oleifera: a natural gift-A review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research. 2010 Nov 1;2(11):775. [Cited 27 June 2019]. Available from:
Table of content
Ask a free question
Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors