Health benefits of moringa
Moringa oleifera, also known as drumstick tree, is a highly valued and versatile plant which belongs to the Moringaceae family.
It is a fast growing, deciduous tree that is native to India and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas all over Asia, Africa and South America. It is widely known by many other names, including horseradish tree and ben oil tree.
Moringa offers relief from stomach disorders, allergies and edema, and the antioxidant power of moringa aids in liver protection, diabetes, eye protection, cardiovascular health, bone health, urolithiasis, wound healing, healthy hair and skincare. It is also rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties that help to fight against infections.
Moreover, the phytonutrients present in moringa are effective for preventing various medical conditions such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, bronchial asthma, sickle cell disease, nephrotoxicity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, anemia and obesity, as well as helping to build a strong immune system.
Moringa leaves and pods are a nutritional powerhouse that provide a great range and amount of essential proteins, vitamins and minerals. It is a rich source of essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, it also contains a significant amount of vitamins such as vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, foliate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The mineral wealth of moringa includes calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc. It contains a very low amount of fats and offers no harmful cholesterol.
Moringa contains an immense wealth of healthy components and phytonutrients. Due to its extraordinary and unmatched range of medicinal benefits, it was named the ‘miracle tree’ during the food crisis in Africa. Others refer to it as a mother’s best friend because of its galactagogic properties. The moringa plant offers a rich blend of powerful antioxidants such as kaempferol, caffeoylquinic acid, zeatin, quercetin, rutin, chlorogenic acid and beta-sitosterol. These powerful antioxidants found in moringa possess high free radical scavenging capacity and have shown its therapeutic value in curing the damage caused by oxidative stress. Generally, the root and extracts from the plant can be toxic and should be avoided but the leaves, flowers, stems, seeds, bark and fruit are all available and recommended for health.
Drinking moringa tea can help people who suffer from a number of conditions including cancer, arthritis, gout, stomach upset, diarrhoea, nausea, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart conditions and the common cold. These benefits are largely due to the high levels of vitamin C, protein, potassium, calcium, vitamin A and a number of flavonoid and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds. It is also available in capsule form.
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