Moringa oleifera or drumstick tree, is a small tree from India, Pakistan, and Nepal that has been used for generations in Eastern countries to treat and prevent diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, anemia, arthritis, liver disease, and respiratory, skin, and digestive disorders.
- Moringa has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, its extract was shown to be more effective than antibiotics in eliminating certain types of bacteria and fungi in lab tests. It’s also been tested and proven effective as a treatment for certain oral infections.
- Moringa antioxidants can moderate inflammation that is the ultimate bad boy of the health world these days. its powder seems to have anti-inflammatory effects thanks at least in part to the presence of antioxidant polyphenols, isothiocyanates, ascorbic acid, flavonoids, and carotenoids.
- Moringa is heart-healthy, moringa leaf juice has demonstrated stabilizing effects on blood pressure and moringa extract has been shown to lower cholesterol.
- It may lower blood sugar, One study showed that Type 2 diabetics who consumed 8 grams of moringa daily saw their glucose levels drop by 28 percent. Powdered moringa demonstrated an ability to reduce blood sugar in non-diabetics as well.
- It contains an anti-cancer compound, Moringa leaf extract has been shown to keep cancer cells from spreading thanks to the presence of a phenolic substance called eugenol.
- It may regulate thyroid hormones In one animal study, moringa leaf extract was shown to be an effective thyroid hormone regulator, especially in female test subjects.
- Balances Hormones and Slows the Effects of Aging A 2014 study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology tested the effects of moringa (sometimes also called “drumstick”) along with amaranth leaves (Amaranthus tricolor) on levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in menopausal adult women. Knowing that levels of valuable antioxidant enzymes get affected during the postmenopausal period due to deficiency of “youthful” hormones, including estrogen, researchers wanted to investigate if these superfoods could help slow the effects of aging using natural herbal antioxidants that balance hormones naturally.
- Helps Improve Digestive Health, Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, moringa has been used in ancient systems of medicine such as Ayurveda to prevent or treat stomach ulcers, liver disease, kidney damage, fungal or yeast infections (such as candida), digestive complaints, and infections.
- Protects and Nourishes the Skin, Moringa contains natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral compounds that protect the skin from various forms of infections. Some of the common ways moringa is used on the skin include: reducing athlete’s foot, eliminating odors, reducing inflammation associated with acne breakouts, treating pockets of infection or abscesses, getting rid of dandruff, fighting gum disease (gingivitis), and helping heal bites, burns, viral warts and wounds.