Moringa Benefits For Health
Have you seen moringa powder stacked in the grocery or wellness section in supermarkets? You have, as it is becoming so popular that store managers place it in prominent places in their stores. Well, the reason why it is sold like hot cakes these days is due to the benefits it offers to our health including relief from stomach disorders, allergies, and edema, and the antioxidant power of moringa aids in liver protection, diabetes cure, eye protection, cardiovascular health, bone health, urolithiasis, wound healing, hair care, and skin care. 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 seems to be really incredible for health, doesn’t it?
What Is Moringa – The “Miracle Tree”?
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.
Although modern science has recently discovered its value, moringa has been imparting a multitude of benefits across various cultures since ancient times. It was valued by the Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks for its medicinal impact on a range of ailments. Today, its usage has been encouraged by various humanitarian organizations to combat malnutrition and its effects in poverty-stricken regions, mainly due to its economic viability and rapid growth.
Its tree has thick, whitish bark with droopy, fragile branches and long, green, oval-shaped leaflets. In Ayurvedic therapy, it is valued for its impressive range of therapeutic uses, commonly attributed to its antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In some areas, it is simply known as ‘shigru’.
Nutrition Facts
Moringa leaves and pods are a nutritional powerhouse that provides 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, vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B-6, folate and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Its mineral wealth includes calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc. It contains very low amount of fats and offers no harmful cholesterol.
Moringa Benefits For Health
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. In the Philippines, it is referred as a mother’s best friend because of its galactagogic properties. The 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 free radical scavenging capacity and have shown its therapeutic value in curing the damage caused by oxidative stress.
The benefits of moringa include the following:
Skin Care and Hair Care
Moringa seed oil is beneficial for the skin and hair, and is effective against the infection caused by herpes simplex virus. The healing effects of this herb prevent the development of skin lesions and inhibit the formation of plaque caused by the infecting virus. The hydrating and detoxifying effects of moringa extracts help in neutralizing the effects of harmful pollutants, prevent wrinkles and slowdowns aging. The high protein content of drumstick aids in protecting the dermal cells from damage caused by heavy metals such as mercury and cadmium. For the same reason, it is used in the production of cosmetics and skin care products.
The favorable effects of moringa seed oil for hair care have been appreciated since ancient times. It is highly beneficial in protecting the hair from environmental damage, including ultraviolet radiation. It serves as a valuable conditioner for the scalp, strengthens the roots, and stimulates hair growth.
Protects Liver
Moringa extracts exert a hepatoprotective effect on the liver. Research studies have validated the effectiveness of its leaves against the liver damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs as well as its stimulating effects in speeding up the recovery process. It helps to restore the levels of glutathione content in the body and prevents radiation-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation. This protective effect is attributed to the presence of phytochemicals such as catechin, epicatechin, ferulic acid, and vitamin C found in drumstick.
Cures Cancer
Moringa is an anticancer agent and is highly valued in tumor therapy. Scientific research has demonstrated that its extracts possess chemopreventive properties attributed to the presence of the phenolic components quercetin and kaempferol. Another study has demonstrated the role of the bioactive compound niazimicin in restraining the development of cancer cells. Drumstick extracts impart chemo-modulatory effects towards curing various types ofcancers such as ovarian cancer, hepatic carcinogenesis and skin papillomagenesis by inhibiting the proliferation of malignant cancer cells and inducing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death.
Acts as Antibacterial Agent
It possesses antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial properties, and is effective against the growth of disease-causing microbes. Scientific research has proven that moringa extracts exert a wide spectrum of protective activity against food-borne microorganisms such as Salmonella, Rhizopus species, E. Coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. This defensive activity makes its extracts perfect for sanitation and preservation purposes. Leaves of this plant possess anti-fungal qualities. The inhibitory effects of moringa help in preventing the growth of diseases causing contaminant fungi such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp.
Boosts Immunity
The ethanolic extracts of moringa leaf help in stimulating the immune system of the body. It also helps in enhancing the cellular immune response and exerts positive effects on various other immune system values such as total leucocyte count, antibodies, and hypersensitivity reaction.
Improves Bone Health
Moringa extracts are beneficial for maintaining healthy bones, which is attributed to the presence of essential minerals like calcium and phosphorous. Its extracts possess anti-inflammatory properties and are effective in the treatment of painful conditions such as arthritis, while also helping to heal various bone ailments such as mandibular or jaw bone fracture.
Treats Neurodegenerative Diseases
The effectiveness of moringa has been very valuable in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Research studies have shown that treatment with its extracts has the potential to alter brain monoamines like norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, and it extends its protection against monoaminergic deficiencies related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Protects Cardiovascular System
Moringa extracts are helpful in the prevention of myocardial or cardiac damage, due to the presence of powerful antioxidants. They exert antidiabetic effects in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Research studies conducted on this subject have provided supporting evidence that proves the antiperoxidative and cardioprotective effects of moringa therapy. Treatment with it helps in inhibiting the increase in lipid peroxidation in the myocardial tissue and aids in maintaining a healthy heart.
Has Immunosuppressive Properties
The seeds of moringa possess immunosuppressive properties. Deliberate immunosuppression is required to inhibit the activation of body’s immune system in order to prevent the rejection of certain treatments, particularly organ transplants and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Research studies have demonstrated that the immunosuppressive action of drumstick seeds helps in ameliorating the production of antibodies to allow the new organs and transplanted material to settle safely in the body.
Treats Asthma
The benefits of moringa plant extracts include relief from bronchial asthma and inflammation caused in the airways. The extracts of moringa seeds possess anti-allergenic qualities. Scientific research has validated the inhibitory action of moringa on the hypersensitive reactions involved in various allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis. According to research, treatment with moringa helps to reduce the severity of asthmatic attacks and various symptoms such as wheezing, cough, dyspnea, and contraction of the chest. It extends its protective effects against bronchial constrictions and encourages better lung function and respiration.
Protects against Kidney Problems
Moringa extracts exert a protective effect against nephrotoxicity, which refers to the kidney problems caused as a consequence of exposure to certain drugs or toxins. Studies have revealed that the nephroprotective effect of moringa helps in attenuating renal injuries due to its high antioxidant content. It serves as an effective bio-absorbent and helps in the removal of heavy metals and harmful toxins.
Prevents Stone Formation
Moringa extracts are effective against the formation of stones in the kidney, bladder, and uterus. According to research studies, the administration of moringa root exerted anti-urolithiatic activity and resulted in a noteworthy reduction in the urinary oxalate levels. The curative effect of moringa has also shown a reduction in the formation of stone deposits and aids in regulating endogenous oxalate synthesis.
Has Anti-fertility Effects
Moringa possesses anti-fertility qualities. Aqueous extracts of moringa exert estrogenic activity and are beneficial in the prevention of sexual implantation in the body.
Reduces Hypertension
Moringa is effective in maintaining optimal levels of blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body. Bioactive components such as isothiocyanate and niaziminin present in it prevent the thickening of arteries and reduce the development of pulmonary hypertension. Studies have confirmed the hypocholesterolemic effects of moringa that help in reducing a high-fat rise in the liver, kidney, and serum cholesterol levels.
Improves Eye Health
Antioxidant-rich moringa is beneficial for providing protection against retinal damage. Scientific studies have provided supporting evidence regarding the retino-protective effects of moringa in test subjects. Treatment with it helps in preventing the dilatation of retinal vessels and keeps the retinal vasculature intact. It also inhibits the thickening of capillary membranes and prevents retinal dysfunction.
