Maybe you’ve heard the buzz about the myriad benefits of moringa. Supposedly, it aids in weight loss, it’s anti-inflammatory, has innumerable antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids – and it may even assist your body in killing cancer cells.
Could it be true that moringa is indeed this ultra-healing superfood for the mind, body, and soul?
The short answer is: Yes! In this article, we’ll take you through the benefits backed by science and tradition so you can start using moringa to enhance your life and improve your connection with the universe.
What Is Moringa?
Moringa is a flowering plant indigenous to parts of Africa and Asia. In various climates, it can be as small as an herb or as large as a tree.
Referred to by local populations as “the Miracle Tree,” the benefits of Moringa can be sourced from almost every part of the plant. In South Asia, the fruit pods are consumed and oil is made from the seeds. Powders are made from the leaves and roots and tea is brewed from the leaves. The bark even has medicinal properties.
While there are 13 different species of moringa, the benefits of moringa that most consumers are after come from Moringa oleifera. Moringa oleifera is grown and cultivated in the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India.
When shopping for moringa, make sure the brand you buy is cruelty-free, organic, and has the Latin name on the label. Most brands list their sourcing process on their website. You’ll want a sustainable sourced brand that ethically supports the local growing communities.
Ancient Uses of Moringa
Moringa is referenced in ancient texts across the Meditarreanian, India, Asia, and Africa.
In the Bible, Moses used moringa seeds to purify water at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 15:20-25), refering to it as the “Tree of Life.” To this day, people use moringa seeds to purify water.
Moringa was also a staple in ancient Chinese medicine. Its roots were said to lift the spirit and cleanse the body.
We also find moringa referenced in Ayurvedic texts wherein ancient herbalists wrote of the herb’s ability to regenerate the deepest body tissues, all the way into the bone marrow itself. These texts date the use of moringa beginning over 4,000 years ago as a treatment for over 300 different diseases.
What Are The Main Benefits of Moringa?
The nutritional and spiritual benefits of moringa are tremendous, making this herb an increasingly popular superfood. Let’s start by looking at the facts and figures:
Gram for gram, moringa contains:
- Twice the protein of yogurt
- 4 times the calcium of milk
- 25 times the iron of spinach
- 15 times the potassium of bananas
- 4 times the vitamin A of carrots
- 7 times the vitamin C of oranges
- B-vitamins, magnesium, antioxidants, amino acids
Pretty impressive for an herb! And that’s just the beginning. As you can already tell, the benefits of moringa span physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
What Are The Side Effects of Moringa?
As with all herbs, we advise you to use moringa in moderation. While the benefits of moringa are increasingly evident, it may have side effects in higher dosages.
Moringa is at its safest when consumed by mouth, such as on a salad or in an herbal tea. However, some physicians suggest avoiding the root and its extracts as they may contain neurotoxins. A safe dosage of moringa is no larger than 6 grams per day.
Moringa may also cause uterine contracts. Consult a physician if you are pregnant or nursing about the use of moringa.
How You Can Harness The Benefits of Moringa
You can consume moringa in a variety of ways to achieve your health and spiritual goals.
Moringa is usually sold as dried leaves or in a powder. Rehydrated, moringa has a thick, spinach-y texture and flavor. Some people may find moringa to have a rather strong aroma. If you’re in this boat, give the powder a try.
If you’ve found it in its naturally nutrient-dense leaf form, you may enjoy moringa as tea. Mixed with other herbs, it adds an earthy flavor to your morning cup.
We use moringa in our Meditative State of Mind herbal tea. Combined with the floral notes of mint, chamomile, and lavender, this moringa-enhanced blend has calming and grounding effects.
You can also use moringa as a topping on salads or mix it into soup.
If you love Green Goddess smoothie blends, mix moringa in with your kale, spinach, and other veggie blend for a boost of superfood.
8 Soul Changing Benefits of Moringa
The Original Antidepressant: Moringa Seeds
In ancient Chinese and Hindu texts, moringa seeds were recommended as a cure for depression. Because of moringa’s energy inducing effects, they were believed to help consumers lift their spirits and find hope.
Certainly part of this plant’s incredible mood elevating effects come from its robust list of nutrients. However, a 2015 study backed by the US National Institute of Health found “significant changes” is the mood and behavior of both mice taking a moringa extract alone, as well as mice supplementing their fluoxetine with moringa.
Yes, we’re talking about mice. Unfortunately, there haven’t been enough studies of the effects of moringa on humans, but these preliminary studies are promising.
Moringa’s Leaves Remove Toxins
Moringa seed powder literally pulls toxins from cells in the body, including skin cells, muscle cells, blood cells, and even the cells of bone marrow. Because moringa is so rich in antioxidants, it may be used to reverse the trace amounts of arsenic you consume when eating apples and rice. As a heavy metal chelator, moringa breaks down the buildup of toxins that are commonly and unknowingly consumed via tap water.
Moringa Deepens Meditation
Moringa is at once calming, cleansing, and energizing. Drinking moringa as an herbal tea before your meditation or yoga practice can help awaken your spirit while quieting your mind. The earthy flavor of moringa can be used as a focal point during your practice to reconnect you with your innate relationship with the earth.
A Natural Supplement for Athletes
One of the most studied benefits of moringa is its incredible anti-inflammatory nature. Moringa can be used to replace common drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, which can be hard on your liver. Instead, mix moringa powder into your post-workout protein shake to recover naturally.
In fact, a study published in 2014 effectively treated rats with colon inflammation. This study shows promise for people suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in addition to athletes who need daily rounds of anti-inflammatory treatment.
Furthermore, moringa appears to improve mood and increase energize, and who doesn’t perform better when they feel better?
Helps Achieve a Healthy Weight
One of the benefits of moringa is its ability to increase metabolism and suppress appetite. Since moringa is not a weight loss supplement containing harsh chemicals, it is the perfect addition to a nutritious meal.
Tests on animals show that “moringa can reduce fat formation and enhance fat breakdown,” according to a study published in 2018. It’s still uncertain whether or not this translated to humans, but it’s a safe option to try.
Increases Spiritual Connection
Because moringa is such a “Miracle Tree,” it serves as a tangible reminder of the good that the universe offers in our lives. You can find moringa as an essential oil that you can use to calm your mind and increase your spiritual connection wherever you are.
Aids In Stabilizing Blood Sugar
Diabetics use moringa because it is shown to stabilize blood sugar levels, but these benefits of moringa are available to anyone. If you suffer from hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, meaning you feel faint or irritable depending on what and when you last ate, you may notice a reduction in these symptoms by adding moringa to your morning meal.
Raises Antioxidant Levels In Post-Menopausal Women
In a 2012 study, moringa was shown to increase antioxidant levels in post-menopausal women. Menopause causes a decrease in the bioavailability of antioxidants in women. If you’re not yet at menopause, you are still experiencing a monthly fluctuation of antioxidant levels. Use moringa to help your body naturally expel harmful toxins from your cells.
