You’ve heard of superfoods like green tea, kale, and spirulina–but have you heard of moringa?
Moringa oleifera, commonly known as Moringa, is a tree found in the Himalayan mountains and parts of India and Africa. Also known as the Drumstick Tree and Ben Oil Tree, Moringa has been used in Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing practices, for thousands of years.
Drought-resistant and native to areas where malnutrition is prominent, the leaves, pods, and seeds of moringa trees are cultivated by local inhabitants for a variety of uses. In Ghana, village women pound the seeds and boil them to create oil that is often used for cosmetics. Moringa leaves are ground with shea butter to make soaps and ointments. As moringa is anti-fungal and anti-viral, it is excellent for hand washing.
In areas with a lack of sufficient medical care, natives use moringa to alleviate headaches, help digestions, and boost immune systems.
Nature’s Natural Defense
Moringa is full of phytonutrients: anti-inflammatory chemicals and antioxidants that play a role in natural disease prevention and treatment, provide immune support, and may contain memory enhancing properties. According to this study, the leaves have a more concentrated amount of these nutrients than most foods–7 times more vitamin C than oranges and 4 times the vitamin A of carrots, for instance. High levels of calcium, iron, and protein aid muscle growth, and the plant has also been shown to help with digestion issues.
With that much immune boosting, this plant packs a powerful punch against harmful bacteria and viruses.
Researchers are currently investigating whether moringa can supplement traditional medical care for high-risk conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. Additional studies have shown antidepressant potential when moringa is used along with traditional prescriptions. While moringa alone is no cure-all, this botanical marvel boasts a wealth of benefits in conjunction with medicine.
Ways to add moringa to your diet
There are tons of ways to sneak moringa into your diet. Cooking the leaves can add some nutrients to your soups and stews. When blended or ground in a food processor, the leaves can also be mixed in dips like guacamole. The easiest method is moringa powder. Available online and at various supermarkets, it’s as simple as adding a scoop to your drinks like teas and smoothies or baking it into pancakes or banana bread.
Support Ghanaian agriculture
Buying locally sourced moringa from Ghana not only ensures a quality product, but also helps support the natives whom Pockets of Promise (POP) gives aid to.
Pockets of Promise is dedicated to providing nutritious food to underprivileged children in our Feeding Program. Learn more about how Pockets of Promise aids India, Ghana, and Uganda, and click the button below to donate.
Disclaimer: The heath topics discussed on this website are intended for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on this site.
Keywords: moringa, miracle tree, superfood, phytonutrients