It is believed that the most nutritious plant on planet earth is the Moringa Oleifera. Since the discovery channel documentary on the Moringa Oleifera. Some years ago, people worldwide have been taken notice of the powerful botanical and its amazing health benefits. This documentary highlighted the success seen in parts of Africa where people who add dried Moringa leaves into their diet are overcoming malnutrition.
Moringa is a type of tree of which there are over 13 documented species. The most common of which is Moringa Oleifera. The tree grows in equatorial region across the world (originally from Tamil Nadu). If you include all parts of the tree (leaves, seed, oil etc.) it contains over 90 nutrients.
Given its nutrient density, it’s no wonder the Moringa tree has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine and by communities where the Moringa tree grows naturally for over 300 common ailments and disease. Many communities use Moringa today to help fight malnutrition, increase lactation and to purify water.
In recent years, Moringa has become commoditised with farms being established almost anywhere it grows from Central America to Africa to India. For the most part, the leaves are harvested and sold in capsules, teas or in a powder form.
Is it a Miracle Tree?
The Moringa Oleifera Tree in particular is commonly referred to as “The Miracle Tree.” This is due to its nutrient rich properties but really it got this name from a publication issued by the National Institute of Medicine in 2008 naming Moringa the “plant of the year” and the branding of the tree. Thanks to emerging products on the market. The article included the following in its description. Moringa could:
- Save millions of lives
- Purify polluted water working as a coagulant and as an anti-microbial
- Provide “an excellent source of protein and iron”
- Be consumed as a tea and as a nutritious substitutes for milk
It is packed with 90+ verifiable, vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants, and omega oils including (but not limited): Omega 3, 6, 9
- All essential amino acids
- Anti-inflammatories
- Protein
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Vitamins A, B, (1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 12), C, D, E, K, Foliate (folic Acid)
The science of Moringa: what are the benefits?
It is no wonder that science, health and wellness industries, pharmaceutical companies and the public are taking notice of Moringa Oleifera given the potential it could provide in improving overall health and nutrition for a large number of people. After all, everyone could benefit from better nutrition right.
Over the past few years in particular there have been a significant number of research studies conducted that confirm and document the nutritional properties of Moringa Oleifera. It is important to note that there are far fewer studies demonstrating direct correlation of Moringa in mitigating, curing or managing disease or improving health outcome. Ongoing studies are exploring further the opportunity Moringa could provide to improve health outcomes like blood pressure control, lipids/cholesterol, weight, inflammatory disease, skin conditions and even the possible effect it could have on helping to prevent disease altogether.