Moringa oleifera is a herb often referred to as the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, or the horseradish. Since centuries Moringa has been used for its healing properties and medical benefits. It also has properties that are antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory.
Moringa tea is only one drink spawned by the superfood craze. The tea made from moringa leaves or drumstick tree has become a popular beverage with many foods and beverage manufacturers trying to cash in on the trend. Moringa tea is rapidly becoming a popular option among ‘health freaks’ and the drink also has several beneficial effects.
In regional cuisines of Southern Indian states, moringa or drumsticks have been utilized for millennia, but the world is only now warming up to it. Moringa oleifera has been credited with a variety of titles and phrases from ‘miracle plant’ to ‘superfood,’ making the western world go crazy over it. The plant has been processed into powders that can be applied to teas and coffees and are now used in numerous traditional recipes of major dishes and condiments. It’s fair to say that moringa takes its position under the sun and is actively involved in people’s diets all over the world.
Moringa has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. The extract from moringa showed more efficiency in the removal of certain types of fungi and bacteria from laboratory tests than antibiotics. The treatment of some oral diseases has been tested and shown to be successful.
A super-food filled with nutrients from the Moringa oleifer tree in India, Moringa, has been used to encourage health and wellness in Eastern cultures for centuries. Modern studies indicate that moringa can help reduce cholesterol, balance blood sugar, and alleviate other health issues.
The moringa tree’s leaves, pods, and seeds are rich in antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. A full protein, moringa leaf powder includes all nine essential amino acids needed by the body. The pods are a great source of vitamin C, and there is a large amount of oleic acid in the edible seeds, a beneficial fatty acid also found in olive oil.
Moringa is used in alternative medicine to relieve headaches, facilitate constipation, stimulate the immune system, encourage weight loss, and boost libido. Smoothies often contain moringa powder or are drunk as a tea, and energy drinks, including in the nutrition bars, and moringa oil is used topically for hair and skin care.
Although animal-based research results, laboratory experiments, and limited clinical trials indicate that moringa has potential in treating many health conditions, further research is needed.
Moringa contains a lot of healthy compounds such as:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- B2 (Riboflavin)
- B3 (Niacin), B-6
- Folate and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
This is relatively low in fats and does not contain harmful cholesterol.
Moringa Tea Health Benefits
Moringa is frequently referred to as a “miracle tree” and has a long history of use in traditional medicines in modern science all across South Asia.
Studies show that moringa contains a variety of drugs, including quercetin and beta-sitosterol, with health promotion effects. It also contains antimicrobial substances and can prevent oxidative or chronic inflammation-related health problems such as heart disease and certain cancers. It can also help treat and/or prevent various diseases, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, asthma, and hypertension. The following are moringa tea benefits:
- Fat Loss
Moringa is found to be abundant in several essential minerals and vitamins and also claimed to assist to mobilize stored visceral fat. Tea is rich in various antioxidants, especially the polyphenols or plant chemicals it contains. According to Cynthia Trainer ‘s book ‘How To Lose Back Fat, “Moringa tea is shown to have a weight loss impact. Energy production takes place rather than fat storage… the leaves are low-fat and nutrient-dense and can easily be viewed as alternatives to high-calorie foods.”
- Management of Blood Pressure
Moringa Tea is also said to be a useful tool in the blood pressure control, made from dehydrated and ground moringa leaves. The presence of quercetin, which is supposed to reduce blood pressure, has been attributed to this. In addition, because of its antioxidant properties, BP patients can also help reduce inflammation. Moringa produces isothiocyanate and niaziminin, substances that help prevent the thickening of the arteries, which can trigger an increase in blood pressure.
- Blood Sugar Control
The leaves of the moringa may also help people with diabetes since they contain chlorogenic acid, antioxidant that is also present in coffee, and is said to control blood sugar levels. Furthermore, vitamin C is said to be rich, which has proved to lower blood sugar and blood pressure for patients with type 2 diabetes. One research found that diabetics of type 2 who ingested 8 grams of moringa per day observed their glucose levels dropping by 28 percent. Powdered moringa has also shown an ability for non-diabetics to suppress blood sugar.
- Fights the build-up of cholesterol
Moringa oleifera can also help lower cholesterol levels, which could potentially help cardiac patients and reduce the risk of cardiac disease.
- Beauty Benefits
The powerful antioxidant abilities in moringa can also boost skin and hair quality by reducing inflammation and stress in the body. Antioxidants can contribute to maintaining toxins and potentially clearing the skin.
- The antioxidants can mitigate inflammation
Inflammation has become the biggest bad boy in the field of safety, related to almost everything that is of concern to us. Although research is still quite early, moringa powder appears to have anti-inflammatory effects owing to the availability of antioxidant polyphenols which is also found in berries, isothiocyanates, also found in cruciferous veggies, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and carotenoids, at least partially.
- It contains a compound used to fight cancer
It has been shown that Moringa leaf extract keeps cancer cells from spreading because of the presence of a phenolic substance called eugenol. Moringa extracts contain properties that may help prevent the development of cancer. It also includes niazimicin, a compound that suppresses cancer cell development.
- Protects and nourishes hair and skin
Moringa seed oil is effective to protect the hair from free radicals and keeps it healthy and clean. Moringa also contains protein which helps to protect skin cells against damage. It also contains elements that hydrate and detoxify, which also boosts skin and hair. This will help to treat skin infections and sores.
- Treating edema
Edema is a painful condition in which fluid builds up in particular body tissues. Moringa’s anti-inflammatory properties can be useful in preventing developing edema.
- Enhancing eye health
Moringa has eye-enhancing properties characterized by its high levels of antioxidants. Moringa may halt retinal vessel dilation, prevent capillary membranes from thickening, and inhibit retinal dysfunction.
- Treatment of anemia and sickle cell disease
Moringa may help an individual’s body consume more iron, thereby increasing their red blood cell count. The plant extract is considered to be of great benefit in the treatment and prevention of anemia and sickle cell disease.
- Makes your bones healthier
Moringa also provides calcium and phosphorus which help to maintain healthy and strong bones. Moringa extract, along with its anti-inflammatory properties, can effectively cure conditions such as arthritis, and may also heal damaged bones.
Possible Side Effects of Moringa Tea
Few human trials have evaluated moringa’s health effects but moringa has been well accepted without any recorded side effects. It has been used as both food and medicine for centuries with very few adverse effects reported.
As moringa may decrease blood sugar and blood pressure, however, do not combine moringa with diabetes or blood pressure medications. Speak to the doctor and pharmacists before you take some form of dietary supplements to avoid or treat a medical condition.
Risks
Some of the medicinal products to be especially aware of are:
- Levothyroxine: Used for fighting thyroid problems. Thyroid function may be helped by compounds in the moringa leaf, but people should not take it in combination with other thyroid medications.
- Any medications that might be broken down by the liver: Moringa extract can reduce how easily this happens, which could result in numerous side effects or complications.
- Diabetes medications: Diabetes drugs are used to reduce blood sugar, which moringa does efficiently, too. Ensuring that blood sugar levels do not get too low is important.
- Medication for high blood pressure: Moringa has proven effective at reducing blood pressure. Taking moringa along with other medications which can result in blood pressure being too low.
Can it help promote weight loss?
Moringa is often hailed as an aid to weight loss, but there is limited research to support this. Few studies indicate that treating metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms which include abdominal obesity, can help.
Evidence has shown that moringa extract can reduce and control weight gain in mice. Its high content of vitamin B helps digest smoothly and efficiently and can help the body to convert food into energy, as opposed to storing it as fat.
Moringa is devised to:
- Lower weight gain
- Helping to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure
- Prevents swelling
- Enable the body to transform fats into energy
- Reduce tiredness and raise energy levels
Selection, Preparation & Storage
Moringa is also referred to as a “miracle tree,” and has a long history of use in South Asia in traditional medicine systems. This is available in capsules, powder, extract, dried pods, and seeds and is sold in and online in health food stores.
Moringa has no universally recommended dosage. Follow the packaging direction and do not exceed the daily dosage quoted on the product label.
How To Make Moringa Tea At Home
Moringa powder is easily accessible online today, and in grocery stores. They can be boiled in filtered water and passed through a sieve to get the moringa tea, a bright green tea. But if you don’t trust brands and packaged powders then at home you can also start making moringa powder. Everything you need to do is strike some fresh moringa leaves with your palms, dehydrate them and then grind them to produce a powder. Conversely, to make moringa tea, you can just clean the leaves, and boil them in water for a few minutes.
Whether you have any medical illnesses, be sure to consult a dietitian or doctor before you add this tea to your diet.