Moringa, what the heck is it and why should it be part of my optimal health plan?
Moringa is a plant native to Africa and Asia and has been used in Ayurvedic Medicine for thousands of years. I first discovered this amazing plant when I was in Mexico a couple of years ago. In December 2019 I got unconfirmed covid-19 the morning of new years eve and was very unwell for over three weeks. Going into week 2 of feeling unwell, I felt so lethargic I couldn’t even walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath. I had heart palpitations, I was craving crushed ice and red meat, I was hacking up mucous multiple times a day and I had a dry cough that kept me up at night. I had to do something because I really didn’t feel right and I was not in my comfort zone. At the time, covid was not a thing so I just assumed it was a bad cold. I needed to figure out what I could nourish myself with that was around my cute little beach neighbourhood. I kept seeing this green powder at a local health shop and everyone deemed as the “miracle plant” and yes, it was a miracle.
I started taking 2 doses every day of moringa powder and on the third day my energy started to come back and my mind became clearer. Once I started doing more research on this amazing plant I realized this was helping with my overall inflammation and lack of iron caused by what I felt was covid. It is now an essential part of my holistic toolbox and I consume it multiple times per week.
Please note, this is my own experience with moringa and covid, there are no scientific studies specifically on moringa helping with covid symptoms that I know of, but there are many studies showing the beneficial effects on inflammation, heart disease, immune health, Alzheimer’s and so much more.
The best part about this healing plant is that the whole plant can be used. The seeds are turned into nutrient dense oils for cooking and to moisturize your skin, the leaves get dried and turned into powder to be consumed in tea, smoothies or energy shots, the roots are boiled for various cooking uses and the fruit helps sterilize water. Moringa helps improve the health of millions of children living in developing countries due to its synergistic nutrient profile.
There are many varieties of the moringa plant but the most widely used and most studied variety is the (moringa oleifera). For the sake of time when I speak of the therapeutic benefits and doses I will be speaking mostly on the dried leaf powder form.
Nutritional Benefits of Moringa
High in Vitamin A
High in polyphenols
High in Vitamin C
High in iron
High in Vitamin A
High in calcium
High in antioxidants and polyphenols
It has all 9 essential amino acids and is almost a complete protein
Moringa has been shown to help with the following conditions
Reduces chronic inflammation
Alzheimer’s disease
Heart disease
Vision health
Malnourished population
Cancer
Digestive issues such as ulcers, candida overgrowth and fungal overgrowth
How to Consume and Where To Purchase
I recommend purchasing the organic powdered leaf form of this plant. It can be purchased on Amazon, The Light Cellar in Calgary, Mary’s Naturals in Nanaimo and Community Farm Store in Duncan.
For a therapeutic dose, I take 1 teaspoon in 2oz of fresh orange juice mixed with 2oz of water twice a day. Mix it up with a small whisk or hand milk frother and chug it back. For ongoing use I take 1 teaspoon in 2oz of fresh juice and 2oz of water 3 times a week
So maybe it’s time to consider adding this amazing plant to your lifestyle and see what it can do for you and your optimal health lifestyle.
References and Links
15 minute video on Moringa
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25374169/
Moringa and Alzheimer's Disease and Heart Disease