37 Moringa Facts: Learn Everything About The Superfood

The moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) of the genus Moringaceae is also known as the tree of life.

Moringa is native to the foothills of the Himalayas (northwestern India) and Africa. It is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world.

This miracle tree has been used for its medicinal properties from ancient civilizations. The historical uses of moringa oleifera go back to 150 BC.

The mention of its nutritional properties can be found in several ancient sacred texts of the Indian subcontinent such as 'Sushruta Samhita' (Sanskrit text on medicine and surgery), 'Charaka Samhita' (Sanskrit text on Ayurveda), and Sangam Literature (literature composed by Tamil scholars in the Sangam Age of Indian history).

People have used plants for various reasons since time immemorial. Moringa oleifera has been utilized worldwide for economic, nutritional, and medicinal purposes because its components contain excellent sources of proteins, vitamins, and minerals sources.

The moringa plant is known by several names such as 'morunga,' 'kelor,' 'saijan,' 'benzolive,' 'horseradish tree,' 'drumstick tree,' 'ben oil tree,' and 'never die tree.' Moringa oleifera has a low, earthy, soft fragrance, and it was widely utilized by the Romans, the Greeks, and the Egyptians in making and producing perfumes.

Even today, moringa is an ingredient in various products, including scents, bath products, food supplements, medicines, and many other items. Below you will find several interesting facts listed about this fantastic plant.

Facts About Moringa

Medicinal plants such as moringa oleifera have known health benefits. Find out other facts below.

It has grown across Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida, the Middle East, Cambodia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Islands.

The Moringa oleifera genus has 13 species in the world.

It is a monogeneric family belonging to the Moringaceae.

The moringa tree grows fast and is resistant to drought and mild frost.

Moringa oleifera is a deciduous tree that grows up to 10-13 yd (10-12 m) and has a trunk diameter of 17 in (45 cm).

Every component of the moringa oleifera has essential nutrients used for multiple medicinal purposes; moringa trees have high nutritional and commercial values.

Moringa leaves are high in health benefits such as minerals, vitamins, and other important phytochemicals (chemical compounds released by the plant to help fight bacteria, fungi, and plant infections).

Moringa oleifera has long drumstick-shaped pods.

These moringa pods are long shaped and contain seeds.

The flowers of moringa are creamy-white or white with a delicate structure.

They are small with a diameter of 0.5 in (2 cm).

The flowers are found in clusters on the **** of the moringa tree.

Each moringa flower has five thin petals that are delicate and very soft.

They appear to be droopy and slightly yellowish, with curving petals that grow in all directions.

The Moringa plant is easy to cultivate, one of its best features.

Moringa leaves can be kept for a long time without losing nutrients.

The leaves may be dried or frozen to keep for later use.

In tropical areas, moringa flowers are available all year.

In colder semi-arid to subtropical climates, the trees may blossom once in the spring and summer.

The young moringa flowers have a better texture and taste.

When they are cooked, they develop a flavor reminiscent of a combination between asparagus and mushrooms.

Moringa flowers are suitable for both raw and cooked applications.

You can fry or simmer them, but before you eat them, you need to soak them in water because there might be insects inside the petals.

Moringa's Benefits

Moringa is a fantastic new superfood that you should be aware of. For hundreds of years, this plant has been used in Asia and Africa for its therapeutic effects, and it is now **** attention in the western world as well!

Moringa is rich in nutrition because it contains various essential phytochemicals found in its leaves, pods, and seeds.

Moringa oleifera is rich in calcium, protein, ****, and iron. It's even higher in some nutrients than other tropical fruits.

Moringa is thought to have a lot of vitamin C. It has seven times as much as oranges.

It also has ten times as much vitamin A as carrots.

Its nutritional value is much higher than many other plant-based foods.

It has more iron than spinach (25 times), more **** than bananas (15 times), more calcium than milk (17 times), and more protein than yogurt (nine times).

The leaves and seeds (moringa pods) of moringa are high in antioxidants and are traditionally used to cure diarrhea, liver, and joint ailments.

Moringa oleifera leaf extract is believed by some to cure 300 known diseases!

Some of them are skin infections, malaria, dengue, eye and ear infections, pneumonia, flu, and bronchitis.

Moringa contains certain phytochemicals, which is why it has been used in traditional medicine for so long.

Niazimicin (moringa seed pods and leaves) is a component in moringa that helps slow down the growth of cancer cells to a certain extent.

Antioxidants in moringa preserve skin cells from losing their sheen by preventing free radicals from damaging them.

Moringa can help maintain blood sugar levels; it acts as an anti-diabetic agent, preventing type-1 and type-2 diabetes.

Moringa leaves contain polyphenols that regulate blood flow.

The increased nitric oxide helps reduce blood pressure and protects the cardiovascular system.

Uses Of Moringa

Moringa oleifera is a highly revered tree, and its many components are well-known. It offers several health benefits and is also sought after for commercial purposes.

The ben oil is extracted from Moringa seeds. It is rich in oleic acid it improves heart conditions by reducing cholesterol and inflammation.

It is also rich in tocopherols (vitamin E) and sterols (play a vital role in cell signaling).

The oil is also resistant to oxidative rancidity (a reaction of **** acids with oxygen).

Ben oil has been used in treatments for hair and skin.

It's been used as a fragrance base for hundreds of years in the perfume-making industry.

Moringa and its antioxidant properties are vital in making herbal medicines.

The pods of moringa are believed to be able to absorb **** pollutants (chemical pollution caused by carbon pollutants) and pesticides (substance mixtures for preventing pests).

Moringa oleifera seeds have properties that can **** stop bacteria from growing; this means that the seed extracts can help prevent waterborne diseases to some extent.

Moringa seeds are used in cosmetics, providing biodiesel and seedcakes.

When fermented, they can be used as green manure or fertilizer.

The root bark of the moringa tree has medicinal values. It can be used to treat several different health issues like dyspepsia (indigestion), eye diseases, and heart-related complaints to some extent.

Moringa leaves have a natural growth hormone called zeatin, a rejuvenating foliar that positively impacts crop yield. 

Moringa root and its gum have properties that can help fight certain kinds of bacteria, fungus, and inflammation.

Side Effects Of Moringa

Excess of anything is bad. This adage is pretty accurate! This food plant offers numerous benefits, but its intake should be correctly measured, keeping in mind the present health.

Expecting women and lactating mothers should not take moringa in any form (moringa powder and tablets) because a detailed or conclusive study of moringa on these groups is not available.

People suffering from kidney and hepatic diseases should avoid taking moringa, as its usage may worsen their condition.

Moringa has laxative properties; if taken in large quantities, it will cause stomach upset, flatulence, diarrhea, and heartburn.

Some people may also go through nausea and ****.

Moringa has diuretic properties; excess intake can reduce blood pressure and slow heart rate too much.

You should avoid eating the moringa root directly, as it contains alkaloid spirochin, a harmful neurotoxin.

If taken without cooking properly, Moringa can **** result in acid reflux and heartburn.

The flavor of moringa, when taken in vegetable form, could be strange and may activate your gag reflex.

It's preferable to take tiny portions slowly, chewing each one thoroughly before swallowing.

Some studies have shown that moringa can cause blood disorders, such as gum bleeding and petechiae (red dots appear under the skin caused by blood vessel issues).

People who are on blood-thinning medications should also avoid taking moringa in any form (moringa powder, tablets, leaf extracts).