You might be living under the rock if you haven’t heard of Moringa yet. Back in 2008, this was highlighted in the National Institutes of Health Record as a mystery plant because of its potential help in reversing several major environmental issues and for providing a lot of unmet needs of the human race. Then, in 2012, the plant also got featured on Dr. Oz’s TV show and site as a natural way for reenergizing your day. Right now, Moringa is commonly found in detox teas, wherein some of them claim to get rid of fat, enhance focus, help in weight control, help with better physical endurance, and eliminate toxins from the body.
The Origins of Moringa
A native to the countries of India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Moringa Oleifera is starting to gain more and more popularity in Australia, and it is expected to continue in 2018. However, its benefits are no longer news to other countries in the world. It has been reported in the NIH record that Moringa is known in more than one hundred names, some of which include Ben Tree, Horseradish Tree, and Drumstick Tree, and in different languages all over the world. Its seeds, fruits, and leaves can all be consumed, and this can be grown and cultivated easily even in places with drought or damaged soil.
Nutritional Benefits of Moringa
The leaves of the tree are found to be the most nutritious part of the plant which contains iron, protein, all amino acids, two times the amount of protein found in yogurt, seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges, and four times the amount of calcium found in milk, according to NIH. The stacked nutritional profile is the reason behind the purported boost in energy that Moringa has to offer. The oil gathered from the plant is also useful for cooking, while the leaves could be a substitute for milk or used for preparing tea. Moringa is also useful for purifying water. It makes it a wonderful resource in places where a big chunk of the population is suffering from malnutrition.
However, what does it mean for people who have instant access to nutritious foods and clean water? The latest studies on Moringa’s medicinal properties confirm uses which were practiced for many years, one of which is the remarkable properties on healing wounds that could be attributed to the antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The plant is also found to be useful in the regulation of sugars in people suffering from diabetes. Some other uses that are being studied include boosting immunity, liver protection, maintaining a healthy skin, and reducing hypertension.
Proven Tool to Fight Off Hunger
Proven Tool to Fight Off Hunger Trees for Life, an international charity, backs up Moringa in many ways, claiming that this could hold the key to combat cases of malnutrition in places where there is rife food insecurity. Claiming that the tree’s leaves contain more amounts of vitamin A compared to carrots, more iron compared to spinach, more calcium compared to milk, more potassium compared to bananas, more vitamin C compared to oranges, and a quality of protein that can be compared to eggs or milk, it is not that difficult to understand why marketers and superfood enthusiasts are excited about Moringa.
Potential Side Effects
Studies have revealed that this plant is safe for use among humans although there are possible side effects when consuming its bark and root, which include uterus contractions, which can potentially cause miscarriage in pregnant women, or the prevention of implantation of the embryo, luckily here at Moringa Products we do not sell any products with the bark or root in them. When consumed in large doses, Moringa leaves might also induce a laxative effect.
Tips for Using Moringa
Since Moringa is a “Novelty Food” here in Australia we cannot advise using our products as a food supplement. Please read the following as a guideline and research from the web.
Since the plant has been recognized as a form of herbal supplement, and not really a drug, there is no universally suggested dose for using it. There are some studies which suggest that 29mg for every kilogram of body weight is the optimal dose although this could vary according to the benefits you want to gain from using it. It is always best that you start first with smaller amounts then increase it gradually as required. You can also use Moringa topically for conditions of the skin such as dandruff and athlete’s foot.
Moringa is usually sold in capsule and powder form in Australia to enhance its shelf life once grown & shipped internationally. However since our Moringa is Grown in Australia to order, we can get it out to you ASAP as fresh as can be. Moringa is also available as dried leaves that could be used for preparing tea. With the growing attention and interest given to the plant, and with more Moringa items hitting the store shelves, try to look for the purest form you can find, something that is cleaned using purified water and free from the synthetic fillers. Our Moringa might seem a little more pricey then other brands but that is because our Moringa is as pure as you can get. The manufacturing and labour of such an organic product takes a bit more time and effort then supermarket counterparts.
Just like with other supplements, make sure you check first with your healthcare provider prior to introducing Moringa to your diet. With moderate exercise and balanced diet, you must always remember that your body is miraculous in itself.
More Research is Needed
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s researcher, Jed W. Fahey argues that there are lots of evidence backing up the assertions of Trees for Life regarding the nutritional benefits of the Moringa tree for the poor communities. Those claims made regarding medicinal benefits, particularly the possibility of anticancer and antibiotic applications, have been revealed to have certain merit in the clinical trials.
However, more research is still required, and the extensive oral history of Moringa’s uses has yet to be discovered and studied in more details to verify whether they are really true or not. Fahey says that ultimately, there is a strong reason to be skeptical and hopeful at the same time about the potential of Moringa when it comes to improving human health.
It seems there is very little doubt on the powerful role of Moringa in fighting off malnutrition and hunger and it is only a matter of time before the Western World adopts Moringa for a multitude of reasons.