10 Health Benefits Of Planting The Moringa Oleifera Tree
At tentree, we plant 10 trees for each item purchased in our store, and the Moringa Oliefera is one of many trees that we plant in countries around the world. It also happens to be one of the most useful trees around. Here's a list of the top ten benefits of the Moringa Oleifera Tree!
1. It's a miracle tree
In most cultures, the Moringa Oleifera is referred to as the Miracle Tree or The Tree of Life and the majority of it is edible and can be consumed by all ages. We’re off to a good start.
2. It's nutritious
Moringa contains more that 90 nutrients, 46 antioxidants, and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds. It also has 18 amino acids, including the 8 essentials that our bodies need to survive but cannot manufacture ourselves (and must be supplied through diet). All this is 100% naturally occurring in the Moringa, whereas most multivitamins and calcium supplements available on the market are made using synthetic ingredients that the human body absorbs very minimal nutrients from.
3. The flowers are tasty
The flowers can be cooked down and are said to taste of mushrooms. The flower juice is useful for treating urinary problems and as a natural laxative. Tea made from the flowers has also been used as a common cold remedy.
4. The seeds are medicinal
The seeds can be eaten like peas or roasted like nuts but are often ground into powder and used in treatment of scurvy skin diseases, insect bites, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramps, STDs, and boils due to their antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. They have been used as a relaxant for epilepsy. And after oil has been extracted, the seed cake can be used as fertilizer or a flocculent to purify water.
5. Its oils are useful
The oil extracted from the seeds can resist rancidity and is used to treat bladder and prostate problems, as well as stomach disorders. It can relieve headaches when rubbed on the temples and is also used in perfumes, skin care, and hair oil. It is also being studied for its potential as a biofuel.
6. The leaves are edible
The leaves are commonly known as the most nutritious part of the Moringa and have no proven side effects to this date. Gram for gram, these leaves have 7 times the Vitamin C of an orange, 4 times the Vitamin A of carrots and calcium of milk, 3 times the potassium of bananas, the Vitamin E of spinach, and the iron of almonds, and 2 times the protein of yogurt. Regularly consuming Moringa leaves has been linked to a boosted immune system, lower blood pressure, improved digestion and mood, and weight loss due to its high fiber and low fat and calorie levels. They’re also regularly used to treat fevers, bronchitis, anemia, and eye and ear infections.
7. Even the roots have a use
The roots and bark are used to relieve lower back or kidney pain, for cardiac and circulatory problems, and as a condiment (much like horseradish), tonic, or tea for inflammation and digestion. (the roots and bark have all of the properties above but are more concentrated and should have more care taken when used as a medicine because the alkaloid spirachin (a nerve-paralyzer) has been found in the roots).
8. It's a natural birth control, but a benefit to pregnancy too
Moringa has been used as a sexual virility drug to treat erectile dysfunction in men and increase sex drive (as an aphrodisiac) in women. It has also been known to prevent pregnancy; But in the case of having a baby, it will increase and nourish breast milk production.
9. Not all benefits are to your health...
In Jamaica, the sap is used for a blue dye and in Haiti the trees are grown as windbreaks and to help reduce soil erosion because it is fast growing (flowering begins within the first 6 months of planting) and drought resistant. It is also in full-leaf at the end of the dry season when most other foods are typically scarce.
10. It's critical for ending world hunger
Moringa has been advocated as a natural nutrition for the tropics and is being used to combat malnutrition (due to its high protein and fibre content) by major NGOs such as Trees for Life International, Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, and Volunteer Partnerships for West Africa.
But beware that with the awareness increasing of the benefits of Moringa products, demand is skyrocketing and there’s already low quality product control happening. Be sure to read your labels and make sure the product you want has only 100% moringa oleifera and no fillers or additives, your capsules are vegan or vegetarian, and the manufacturer is reliable in where they source their product from. (A good way to tell is that your powder is a bright green and not brown.) Best of health to everyone from tentree!
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