Moringa - A Miracle Tree

ABOUT MORINGA 

•Moringa is known as 'Miracle Tree' or 'Tree of life' as it has many uses and can cure many ailments. It contains everything the body needs to regenerate, rebuild, heal and nourish. It is commonly called as drumsticks tree. 

• There is no other plant species on Earth with more densely packed nutrients.

•All parts of Moringa tree are edible and have been consumed by humans since ages. 

•Moringa contains around 539 known compounds which can prevent 300 diseases according to Ayurveda. 

• John Hopkin School Research on Moringa stated that there is enough scientific evidence to support the traditional information about the benefits of Moringa. Many such researches have conducted which supported the positive impacts of Moringa if taken in right amount. 

•Out of 13 species of Moringa, Moringa Oleifera has the finest benefits.

BENEFITS 

1) Delay senescence 

•Regular and daily use of Moringa rejuvenate skin by preventing formation of dead cells. 

• Moringa is jammed with cytokinin called 'zeatin'. Zeatin is most powerful of all cytokinin. Cytokinin is a plant hormone that helps plant cell to divide and protect them against oxidation. Studies found that zeatin increases the activity of some antioxidant enzymes. Moringa contains thousand times more zeatin than any other known plant, hence helps to delay ageing. 

2)Obesity issues 

• Although eating Moringa cannot directly decrease obesity. But it increases the metabolic rate and thereby promote the rate at which fat loss occur. 

3) Handling diabetes

•Moringa contains ascorbic acid, which leads to insulin secretion in the body. Vitamins like B1 and B12 also plays a vital role in regulating insulin amounts and Moringa is rich in all these vitamins.

4) Improve digestive tract 

• Because of bad diet and lifestyle issues, we may experience inefficient digestion. Moringa improves the way digestive enzymes work.

5)Heart ailment 

• Moringa contains around 36 different anti inflammatory compounds and these compounds help strengthening immunity of body and aid in solving heart troubles. 

• It contains a lot of methionine, which lowers the cholestrol level and hence reduce the risk of suffering from heart attack. 

6) Cure cancer 

• Moringa helps to strengthen the body cells. Hence making the process of chemotherapy less painful.

• This tree is believed to cure cancer since it can improve immunity to a great deal and also contains a lot of antioxidants. 

• Benzyl isothiocyanate and Niazimicin chemical compounds play important role in curing cancer, which researchers found to be present in Moringa. 

• Moringa also curtails the rate at which tumor grow according to a research.

7) Skin care 

• Moringa is the only natural products which can bring the best return for skin. Many skin problems can be solved just by using Moringa. 

•Our body contains a lot of free radicals which are responsible for ageing. Moringa has around 46 antioxidants which helps to mitigate the effects of free radicals. Hence preventing wrinkles and revitalising skin. 

• A combination of antioxidants is always better than a single antioxidant. This is why Moringa tea is effective than any other herbal or green tea. 

•Moringa leaves contain 30 different antioxidants especially flavonoids, which helps to flush out unwanted toxins from body and keeps skin fresh and young.

• Sulphur present in Moringa leaves is abundant in Collagen, which improves the overall elasticity of our skin. 

• It helps to treat acne. 

- Wash Moringa leaves. Crush the leaves and apply on your face. Leave for 15 minutes. Apply weekly for best results. It moisturise your skin and exfoliate it.

•It can act as skin toner, exfoliator, cuticle strengthener, makeup remover (you can read their recipes from the books mentioned in references)

8) Helps fight malnutrition

• Amino acids and proteins are building blocks of life. 

• Moringa is the only plant that has many essential amino acids. Our body need proteins that act as building blocks to maintain healthy body. 

•Phytonutrients are concentrated on outer skin of many fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, grapes, sweet potatoes etc. Now apart from fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals; phytonutrients are also considered essential nutrients. 

•Best known phytonutrients are cartenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, indoles, lignans, isoflavones. It is best to get phytonutrients from fresh fruits and vegetables. But if they are not available, get Moringa powder which supply with daily spectrum of phytonutrients.

• Moringa contains more than 90 different Vitamins and minerals. Just to state a few, it contains Vit A, Vit B, Vit D, Vit E, Vit K. And 14 times more calcium than milk, four times more potassium than banana, nine times more iron than spinach, two times more protein than yogurt, two times more vitamin A than carrot, 4 times more fibre than oats. 

• Moringa contains variety of nutrients in combinations that are easy for body to assimilate and digest. 

• Because of its high nutritional value it is grown in many under developed nations to reduce poverty and malnutrition. 

9) Economic benefits 

•Moringa can be used as quick source of money by growing it commercially.

•Price at which Moringa is sold is quite higher than the cost of producing it, providing for huge profit margins. But don't compromise on the quality while producing Moringa, this way whole purpose will be destroyed.

CULTIVATION OF MORINGA TREE 

• It's a very low maintenance tree and usually grows in semi arid climate. 

• Moringa doesn't need much rainfall. It can grow with only little irrigation.

• One of the nickname of Moringa is 'never die' due to its incredible ability to survive harsh weathers even drought.

• It is the most beneficial plant to be grown in your backyard. To make Moringa powder, dry it's leaves and grind them in mixer. 

WAYS TO CONSUME

• Moringa dried leaf powder can be eaten in any form eg in salad, dish, smoothie or tea

• Excess heat destroy enzymes of Moringa leaves. So never cook them (or any other powder) for too long. 

• Add cinnamon, lemon and basil to Moringa tea to offset the earthy taste of pure Moringa leaf tea. It is naturally caffeine free so it can be consumed as relaxing beverage before bed. 

•Moringa seeds and leaves are used to make Moringa oil which can be applied on skin and on hair.

• Pods of the tree are eaten as 'drumsticks ki sabji'.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS 

• All questions pertaining to safety for use of Moringa ends up with the type of cultivation. 

•If too much chemicals, fertilizers are not used and seeds are of good quality then, according to extensive research there are no side effects of using Moringa until and unless someone has allergy towards it or if consumed in high quantities. 

• Consumption of 1tsp or 1tbsp of Moringa powder daily  is considered appropriate. Continue this first for 3 weeks to see if you can feel any positive impact or not then continue for 3 months if you want to.

•So far studies report no adverse effect on humans who consumed Moringa in right amount. But consult your pharmacist before taking Moringa powder if you are under any medication or pregnent. 

• If you still have apprehensions about consuming Moringa then you can substitute it with other rich sources of polyphenols like fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee. 

FACTS 

• In Ancient Egypt, Moringa oil was used to preserve body to last for thousands of years.  

• Ancient warriors of India were fed Moringa leaf extract which supplied them extra energy and relieves stress & pain. 

• Moringa is a holistic plant that contains all basic building blocks of life that are 100% absorbable by the body. 

• Scurvy (caused by deficiency of vitamin C) doesn't occur most of the animals because they can make their own vitamin C but humans and many other species cannot and thus they have to obtain it from diet. Either eat citrus fruits or take Moringa powder to supplement your diet with vit C. 

• Calcium is most abundant mineral found in human body but after the age of 30-35 it cannot be stored in the body and thus it has consumed daily. So if we don't take calcium regularly, all reserves of calcium will be destroyed and bones will become weak. Taking Moringa powder can beat the calcium deficiency. 

To Do Tip - Try to add 1tsp of Moringa powder in your daily routine for 3 months and see the drastic positive impact on your skin and body. 

Note : Although so much research on Moringa has been done but still more research is required to see the clear benefits of Moringa. This article provides the information for general public. But if you are suffering from any disease, don't take Moringa powder before consulting your doctor first.

* Please comment about how useful this information was for you and also share with your family and friends.

References ; 

1) Moringa A Superfood - by Phattarapong 

2) Moringa of Tree of Life - Umar, Muhammad

3) All Things Moringa - Hakim Bey