LSo what’s all the fuss about Moringa I hear someone say? Why is everybody talking about it? Is this yet another supplement that I have to buy that ends up in my storage cabinet with all the others I bought a few months ago? So many health supplements and do’s and dont’s. How does one make a good decision in what to put into your body, when everyone is trying to sell some sort of “Miracle” cure or vitamin, that would
make you jump out of bed in the morning and feel like a modern day hero? Well I don’t know about you but I definitely don’t jump out of bed, I sort of gracefully snooze a few times and then pep talk myself into getting out under the nice comfy and warm blankets. I am definitely not the average morning person. So let’s look into Moringa and find out what all the fuss is about, shall we?
WHAT IS MORINGA?
Moringa Oleifera is a very hardy, drought resistant tolerant evergreen tree native to North Western India. Although native to India this tree is successfully grown in various countries across the Globe. Most parts of the tree are used including the leaves, seeds and flowers. Moringa is given the name “Miracle Tree” because of its long list of benefits. The leaves are used as part of a traditional ancient medicine and is said to cure or prevent about 300 diseases. It has been used medicinally and as a food source for at least 4000 years.
Some benefits of Moringa include protecting skin, nourishing hair, fighting inflammation, promoting heart health, stabilising mood and enhancing neurotransmitter function, stabilising blood sugar levels, treating stomach disorders, protecting the liver, enhancing eyesight, boosting immunity, preventing stone formation, help prevent cancer, treating anaemia, treating asthma and helping to balance hormones. Let’s look a bit closer at all the benefits this “Miracle Tree” is said to have.
Protects Skin and Nourishes Hair
Moringa has antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral qualities, keeping your skin protected from infectious threats. It effectively hydrates and detoxifies your skin, while neutralising the effects of harmful toxins brought on by pollution, sweat and certain chemical products. Moreover, the plants high protein content shields dermal cells from damage caused by mercury and cadmium, for that reason Moringa is used in several skin care products. Moringa likewise strengthens Hair and protects if from harmful UV rays and pollutants. It stimulates hair growth and helps prevent hair thinning.
Provides Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory effects
Moringa grants similar results to conventional medicine without all the nasty side effects. It has significant levels of antioxidants, essential amino acids, carotenoids and antibacterial compounds which work similarly to most anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAID’s
Anti Aging
Moringa leaves has anti-ageing properties owing to its significant amount of Viamin C, Beta Carotene, Polyphenols, Quercetin and Chlorogenic Acid. All these components not only reduce inflammation but also combats oxidative stress and decelerate the progression of age related disorders.
Promotes Heart Health
Fatty Deposits create blockages within arteries, increasing your risk of heart attacks. Isothicoyanates and niaziminin, two bioactive components found in Moringa prevents the thickening of arteries.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Moringa effectively regulates blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the body therefore reducing the impacts of hypertension and preventing other heart conditions.
Stabilizes Mood
Moringa is an excellent source of protein particular the amino acid tryptophan that is beneficial in maintaining proper neurotransmitter function. It also enhances the production of serotonin, a hormone that gives you vitality and promotes well being.
Thyroid Health
Moringa promotes thyroid health which helps maintain high energy levels and fight fatigue and insomnia.
Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels
Consistently high blood glucose levels raise the risk of diabetes. Diabetes carries complications that affect the heart, kidneys, eyes, liver and other organs in the body. Moringa help fight type 2 diabetes with its hormonal balancing and glycemic acid and isothiocyanates that help regulate blood glucose levels, allowing cells to utilise glucose as required.
Treat Stomach Disorders
The isothicyanates in Moringa can effectively treat various disorders of the digestive tract such as ulcers, gastritis and constipation. It is a great herbal alternative to over the counter antacids. Moringa has antibiotic and antibacterial qualities which help inhibit the growth of pathogens including Helicobacter pylori and coli form bacteria that cause diarrhoea. The notable content of Vitamin B aids in proper digestion and converts food into energy rather than accumulating body fat. For this same reason Moringa promotes weight management.
Protects The Liver
Moringa fights liver damage caused by certain drugs as well as speeding up the recovery process. Moringa helps restore normal glutathione levels in the body to its phytochemical composition of catechin, epicatechin and Vitamin C.
Enhances Eyesight
The abundant antioxidants in Moringa help to improve vision and provides protection against retinal damage. It also prevents capillary membranes from solidifying, thus providing retinal dysfunction.
Boosts Immunity
Moringa helps stimulate the immune system, enhances cellular immune response and yields positive effects on several other immune system parameters including leucocyte count. Moringa features immunosuppressive properties, which is extremely helpful with individuals with autoimmune diseases, so their bodies won’t reject certain conventional treatments. The immunosuppressive properties of Moringa ameliorate the production of antibodies, allowing new organs and other transplanted material to settle in the body safely.
Prevents Stone Formation
Moringa is effective in breaking down uterus, bladder and kidney stones. It helps reduce the development of stone deposits and regulates endogenous oxalate synthesis.
It also protects the kidneys from nephrotoxicity, a kidney problem due to exposure of certain toxins of a consequence of taking certain drugs. The nephroprotective effects of Moringa soothe renal injuries and serves as an effective bio-absorbent eliminating heavy metals and toxins out of the body.
Help Prevent Cancer
Moringa has protective qualities attributed to the presence of its phenolic components, guercetin and kaempferol. Furthermore niamzimicin, a bioactive compound in Moringa inhibits the spread of cancer cells and induce caspase mediated cell death.
Serves as an Anti-Bacterial Agent
Moringa features a broad spectrum of protection against food-borne microorganisms including E-Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas, Deruginosa and Salmonella to name a few. It’s inhibitory effects makes Moringa ideal for preservation and sanitation purposes. Likewise Moringa has anti fungal properties and kills certain fungi such as the Penicillin and Aspergillus.
Treats Anemia
Moringa effectively treat anemia as it facilitates the absorption of iron, increases red blood cell count and regulates normal blood parameters. It also prevents the formation of abnormal red blood cells or sickle cells, owing to it’s zinc, flavonoids and phenolic acids. Sickle cells are an abnormal form of these red blood cells and are crescent in shape, having a particularly difficult time in optimising oxygenation.
Treats Asthma
Moringa provides relief from bronchial asthma and inflammation due to its anti-allergenic properties. It helps inhibit hypersensitive reactions relevant in several allergic diseases such as anaphylaxis and allergic rhinitis. Moringa lessen the frequency of asthma attacks and alleviate it’s symptoms such as dyspepsia, chronic coughing and bronchial constriction. Overall it promotes respiration and lung function.
Helps Balance Hormones
The production of hormones including somatotropin estrogen and testosterone declines throughout life as we age. These hormones are crucial in keeping the balance in many aspects of our overall health. Deficiency of such hormones may affect anti oxidative activities, cause major health problems and hasten the ageing process, hence resulting to reduces sex drive, thinning of hair, dulling of skin, increased abdominal fat, low energy and much more. Because of the exerts of estrogenic activity it can address infertility. Drinking Moringa may also help increase milk production in lactating mothers.
Conclusion
As you can see Moringa is not just another fad, money making supplement that does not deliver what it says. Being used for more than 4000 years for numerous ailments I think it’s safe to say that this “Miracle Tree” might be able to supply the body with much needed vitamins, minerals & antioxidants. In today’s life with all the pollution in our water and food sources we need something that can help the body cope and get rid of toxins and waste build up, helping the body cope better with stress and also with nutrients needed that we are not getting from our diet or lack of it. Why not give it a try and see for yourself.
Any information or statements made in this article is that of the Authors opinion and not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease.
