Moringa Herbal Medicine

Moringa uses, health benefits, side effects, warnings.of use.

Moringa (Moringa Oleifera),Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued plant, distributed in many countries of the tropics and subtropics.such as the Philippines, India and Africa. Moringa is widely used as vegetable ingredient in cooking, as herbal medicine for a number of illness and other practical uses. Moringa contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals. As an anti-oxidant, it has activity to help protect cells from damage.

Moringa Scientific Name : Moringa Oleifera

Also known as: "Malunggáy" in Philippines, "Sajina" in India, "Shojne" in   Bengal, "Munagakaya" in   Telugu, "Shenano" in   Rajasthani, "Shevaga" in   Marathi, "Nuggekai" in Kannada, "Drumstick Tree, Horse Radish Tree, Ben Oil Tree" in English, "La mu" in Chinese.

The Moringa plant can grow to as high as 9 meters with erect white trunks. The compound leaf has about 3 to 9 leaflets. Moringa has white fragrant flowers that produces long pods with 3-angled winged seeds.
Moringa may be propagated by planting its seeds about an inch in the ground or matured Moringa stem cuttings of about 3 feet in length may also be planted into the ground. Planted Moringa cuttings grows faster compared to planted seeds.
Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) has been used as herbal medicine in many cultures for hundreds of years, Moringa is known as a very nutritious plant where it is used to combat malnutrition in third world countries especially for infants and nursing mothers.
Moringa has an impressive range of medicinal uses and health benefits, with high nutritional value. The Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol. Moringa oleifera act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine, particularly in South Asia.

Moringa Health Benefits and Tradional Medicinal Uses

Moringa in Traditional and Folkloric Medicine

Moringa is widely believed to contain high value nutrients and consumption of which promotes general well being. Moringa is also called a "miracle tree" primarilly for the various health benefits it can provide for almost all kinds of diseases and medical conditions. More over almost all of its parts have use - from its roots, pods, seeds, barks, flowers and leaves. Listed below are some of the traditional health benefits of Moringa.

• Decoction of boiled roots used to wash sores, cuts, skin ulcers, wounds and other skin diseases to alleviate pain and promote healing.
  
• Moringa is also used for stomach and intestinal problems such as ulcers and constipation.
  
• Moringa roots and bark have been used as abortifacient.
  
• Moringa flower with soy milk  is used as aphrodisiac and promote fertility for men.
  
• While Moringa roots are believed to suppress fertility, chewed as a contraceptive by women.
• Moringa roots are also used to treat snake bites,
  
• The juice from Moringa roots is used to treat ear related problems (otalgia).
• Moringa leaves pounded and combined with coconut oil is used to treat scalp problems and to promote hair growth.
  
• Boiled Moringa leaves contain immune boosting nutrients used in sickness recovery.
  
• Boiled Moringa leaves used to promote milk production in nursing mothers.
  
• Moringa leaves combined with honey and calamsi to treat cough and asthma
  
• Moringa is used as skin restorer to promote skin rejuvenation.
  
• Moringa soup is used to lower high blood pressure
  
• Moringa tea from bark or leaves is used to treat insomnia and restlessness.
  
• Moringa pod is chewed to treat and prevent intestinal parasites in children.
  
• Moringa is also recommended for sufferers of diabetes
  
• Moringa is consumed to strengthen the bones especially for growing children and older people due ot high calcium content.
  
• Moringa oil or poultice is used to treat bone and ligament related conditions that involve inflammations such as gout, rheumatism, back pain, sprains and all srts of swelling.
  
• Moringa is also used to improve eye problems. Believed to contain high amount of vitamin A, more than that of a carrot.
  
• Moringa is used along with other herbal medicines to treat cancer.
  
• Leaves and fruit used for constipation and as diuretic.
  

Science Based Health Benefits from Moringa

Moringa: Combat Malnutrition, used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Contains vitamins A, B and C, calcium, iron and protein.
Moringa oleifera exerts protective effects against STZ-induced diabetes. In a study published in the Journal of Diabetes (2012) entitled "Evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of Moringa oleifera in experimental diabetes" has shown the significant antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of the extract in mice subjects.

Moringa: Anti infectious: Antibacterial; Anti Fungal, . In late 1940's, The Department of Biochemistry at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore (PLN Rao) have found that Moringa or Moringa Oleifera leaves contain a compound "pterygospermin" that is known in medical science as having antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal properties.
Moringa: Treatment for Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia. A review relating to the "Therapeutic Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaves in Chronic Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia" was published in Frontiers in Pharmacology (2012) suggests the efficacy of Moringa leaves in the treatment of hyperglycimia and diabetes.
Moringa: Cancer Treatment and Prevention. Moringa or Moringa has been shown in studies to have an anti-tumor capacity. Moringa contains benzyl isothiocyanate. There are many studies that have shown this chemical and compounds derived thereof to have anti-cancer and chemoprotective capabilities. This chemoprotective aspect is critical for those who are battling cancer; this helps strengthen cells so that they can tolerate chemotherapy. Moringa is also considered in the treatment of prostate cancer and skin cancer. (Ref: Fuglie LJ (2000) New Uses of Moringa Studied in Nicaragua. ECHO Development Notes #68, June, 2000. ttp://www.echotech.org/network/modules.php?
name=News&file=article&sid=194)
Moringa: Anti-Inflamatory Activity: Moringa has been found to inhibit inflammation in a controlled scientific study conducted by Philippine DOST Scientists (Amelia P. Guevara, Carolyn Vargas and Milagros Uy). When an aquous seed extract of Moringa has been administered to a carrageenan induced inflammation, its was noted that the aquous seed extract of the Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) inhibited the development of edema in ratpaw. The Moringa is traditionally used to prevent and treat inflammations associated with rheumatism, arthritis and joint pains.
Moringa: Regulation of Thyroid hormone. A study regarding the "Role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid hormone status in adult male and female rats" as published in Pharmacological Research (200) suggests the possible health benefits of a lower concentration of moringa extract against hyperthyriodism.
Moringa - Reproductive health. Fuglie LJ (1999) The Miracle Tree: Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics has reported that Moringa or Moringa Oleifera is widely believed to have an aphrodisiac action that enhances the sexual activity. Moringa or moringa oleifera young leaves is also widely used to increase the flow of milk for lactating mothers.

Moringa Preparations, Usage and Side Effects

Moringa Herbal Medicine Preparation and Usage

Moringa as food. Moringa pods may be eaten raw or may also be fried with peanut similar taste. Moringa leaves and flower may also be cooked together with other vegetables and meat to form soups or viands.
Moringa decoction for washing sores and wounds, Boil Moringa roots and let it cool to tolerable warm temperature and use it to wash wounds and sores. By gargling the Moringa decoction, it may also be used to wash mouth sores and sore throats.
Moringa poultice. Grounded Moringa seeds, leaves and bark may be applied topically as poultice onto swollen flesh to relieve inflammation.
Moringa oil may be taken internally as mixed with foods, it is known to be a powerful antioxidant even used by the early people from Egypt. Moringa oil also known as Ben oil is widely used as oil base for perfumes and cosmetics. The oil is extracted from Moringa seeds by pressing.

Moringa Tea Preparation
as shared by Ms. Rhea Rodrigo - from comments thread below

1. Pick out 4 to 5 branches from the tree. Choose those with lots of leaves.
2. Place them on a tray and leave in a dry place anywhere in your home for 3-4 days or until the leaves dry up and become crumpled. No need for sunlight.
3. Pick out the crumpled leaves from the twigs and place in a dry pan over a low fire. Do not place water or oil in the pan.
4. Cook the leaves, turning them over with a cooking spoon so that the leaves are cooked evenly. They are cooked when they are toasted but not burned.
5. Store the cooked leaves in any container with a cover.
6. To make the tea, take a tablespoon of the cooked leaves from the container and place in a cup of hot water. Let sit until the water absorbs the green color and nutrients of the leaves. It takes the same amount of time as making ordinary tea from tea bags.
7. Remove the leaves from the cup.
8. Option: add honey.

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Where to Get Moringa?

Moringa tree can be found in the wild as well as culitvated in warm ttopical countries. The pods and leaves are harvested and are sold in wet markets and in the vegetable section in Asian grocery stores.
For other countries where Moringa trees don't grow, food grade preparations in forms of powder, tablets, syrups and capsules can be bought in respected health stores and Asian stores. Liniments, creams and lotions containg Moringa oil may also be available.
There are few online stores that sell Moringa tablets and capsules, Amazon is one, a sample product is Organic Moringa Powder 120 Veg Capsules. We do not endorse this product just for sample purpose only, and there are a ton of other related moringa products listed, we therefore suggest that you examine carefully the background of the manufacturer and analyze product reviews to be certain of quality.

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Moringa Warnings and Side Effects

Although Moringa consumption is generally accepted as safe. But according to Indian traditional usage, Moringa may have an abortificient effects. (Ref: Nath D, N Sethi, et al. (1997) Survey on indigenous medicinal plants used for abortion in some districts of Uttar Pradesh. Fitoterapia 68(3): 223-225)

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Moringa Herbal Medicine: Useful References

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