Moringa - The Miracle Tree from India

What's inside? The ingredients of Moringa powder

Moringa oleifera is a tree native to northern India. The tree has many names, such as clarifier tree, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, behen tree, and behen nut tree. The leaves of the tree are used to produce Moringa powder. The powder is characterized by a high density of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.

These include, for example:

• Vitamin A, E, K, and B2
• Magnesium
• Iron
• Zinc
• Antioxidants
• Dietary fiber (24 %)
• Plant proteins (25 %), including essential amino acids

Effects of Moringa

It is undisputed that Moringa is characterized by many nutrients that are important for the human body. For thousands of years, users have reported the positive effects of the plant. Although many people are already convinced of the effects of Moringa, there are still many aspects to investigate from a scientific perspective. Especially regarding the contained antioxidants, the plant could prove to be helpful.

Moringa and its Antioxidant Effect

Antioxidants are capable of neutralizing free radicals in the body. Free radicals play a significant role in chronic diseases, as they can lead to oxidative stress, which can greatly influence the development of such diseases. Rodrigo R, González J, Paoletto F., The role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of hypertension, Hypertens Res. 2011 Apr;34(4):431-40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21228777 The extracts from the Moringa tree contain, in addition to Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene, a very effective antioxidant called Quercetin, which can be used in the fight against high blood pressure. Moringa powder also contains Chlorogenic acid (also found in coffee) and could be helpful for high blood sugar.In a scientific study that exclusively involved female participants, the test subjects were administered 1.5 g of Moringa powder every day. After a usage period of three months, a significant increase in the concentration of antioxidants in the blood was observed Kushwaha, S., Chawla, P., Kochhar, A., Effect of supplementation of drumstick (Moringa oleifera) and amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor) leaves powder on antioxidant profile and oxidative status among postmenopausal women, Journal of Food Science and Technology November 2014, Volume 51, Issue 11, pp 3464–3469, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13197-012-0859-9 .

Moringa powder in the fight against high blood sugar and inflammation

Bacterial, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and allergic stimuli can lead to inflammation. The body then responds with its body tissue to internal or external stimuli as well as damage.The organism initiates the body's repair mechanism with an inflammation and attempts to eliminate the unwanted triggers. Many people suffer from inflammations, which include, for example, joint inflammations, skin inflammations, endocarditis, pneumonia, and myocarditis. Some medicinal plants and hormones (such as cortisol) possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help mitigate inflammatory responses. Even if the actual cause of the inflammation is not addressed, they can provide significant relief to those affected. The Moringa plant also has anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, the isothiocyanates (mustard oils) come to the forefront Cheenpracha S, Park EJ, Yoshida WY, Barit C, Wall M, Pezzuto JM, Chang LC., Potential anti-inflammatory phenolic glycosides from the medicinal plant Moringa oleifera fruits, Bioorg Med Chem.2010 Sep 1;18(17):6598-602. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2010.03.057. Epub 2010 Mar 29. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20685125 . However, Moringa powder could also prove effective in the fight against elevated blood sugar levels. Although only a few studies have been conducted on humans, research results show that the plant was able to lower blood sugar levels in animal trials. In a scientific study involving 30 women, the fasting blood sugar level decreased on average by 13.5%. For this, the female participants consumed 7 g of Moringa powder daily over a period of 3 months ².

Moringa Forms of Administration

Moringa is available in the following forms:

• Powder
• Capsules
• Tablets
• Pressings
• Tea
• Oil

Due to its ease of use, Moringa powder is particularly popular. Simply sprinkled into drinks or food, it can enrich the diet. Tablets, pressings, and capsules, on the other hand, are easy to carry and provide high flexibility in daily routines. Some users rely on an infusion with Moringa tea. For this, the Moringa leaves or the dried flowers of the plant are processed. The application of Moringa in the form of oil is incredibly simple.Like olive oil, Moringa oil is also applied to the skin and gently massaged in.

Dosage and side effects of Moringa

The taste of Moringa is described as earthy and reminiscent of matcha tea or spinach. For this reason, the powder is excellent for mixing into foods. Although it doesn't matter at what time Moringa is taken, users report a pleasant energy boost when they incorporate it into their morning routine.

According to the manufacturer, 3-5 g should be taken daily. However, scientific studies have used up to 8 g of the powder. Because Moringa powder contains sharp and bitter substances (glucosinolates), there may be intolerances in some cases. Therefore, manufacturers recommend starting with a gradual dosage and increasing it slowly.It seems that the powder is more tolerable during heat treatment.

Users can adhere to the following guidelines:

• A half teaspoon daily to acclimate the body to the powder.

• After one to two weeks, the dosage can be doubled to one teaspoon daily. Alternatively, users can also take half a teaspoon of the powder twice daily.

• The dosage can be increased again after a few weeks. Although there is no upper limit, many users take a maximum of 6 g daily. This dosage has also been safely used in scientific studies.

In general, Moringa products are very well tolerated and rarely cause side effects.In rare cases, however, diarrhea may occur, in which case the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Although the plant has been successfully used for thousands of years, no information can currently be provided regarding its safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, pregnant or breastfeeding women should refrain from taking it. The bark and root bark of the tree are considered toxic due to their alkaloid content, so the root should not be consumed regularly.

Buy Moringa Products

Moringa products are becoming increasingly popular, which is why more and more manufacturers are entering the market. However, it is important for users to note that there can be significant differences in quality. Moringa is most commonly available in the form of powder or capsules.Transparent manufacturing practices and a comprehensive list of ingredients distinguish reputable manufacturers. Users should also pay attention to the absence of harmful substances. To be on the safe side, a corresponding organic product is recommended. It is crucial that the processed material comes from a reputable source. Quality should be guaranteed by avoiding contaminants that can arise from fertilizers, heavy metals, pesticides, mold, and heavy metals. Important: Depending on the cultivation forms or seasons in which the valuable ingredients are obtained, the corresponding content may also vary. The countries of origin can also significantly influence the product. Although it is difficult to provide a general assessment of the credibility based on the ingredients, users should pay attention to the package insert. If in doubt, it is worthwhile to inquire with the manufacturer or seller.