6 Top Benefits Of Moringa Powder !

Moringa powder is truly a nature’s wonder as it is loaded with nutrients. It will be a great loss if we don’t make use of this highly nutritious food. From improving hair and skin health to preventing cancer, moringa powder has wide medicinal uses. If you live in a place where you don’t have access to fresh moringa leaves, I would highly suggest using moringa powder.

What Is Moringa Powder?

It is the powder got by grinding the dried leaves of moringa leaf tree. Its botanical name is Moringa olifera and it is native to India. It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree. We use its leaves, flowers, and fruits in cooking. Both the leaves and the fruits are very nutrient rich and since they are available very cheaply, they are widely consumed all over India. India exports more than 80,0000 kilos of moringa leaf powder every year. The United States, Germany, and UK are the largest importers of moringa leaf powder from India.

Moringa Powder Nutrition

100 grams of the powder consists of 27 grams of protein, 2.3 grams of fat, 38.2 grams of carbohydrate, and 19 grams of fiber. Moringa powder is rich in vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and iron.

Moringa Powder Health Benefits

1. Anti-microbial and Anthelmintic Properties:

We usually don’t use moringa leaf extract as an antimicrobial agent but I was surprised to learn that it is effective against many microbial strains which include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhi, Proteus vulgaris, Helicobacter pylorai, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Micrococcus kristina!

The water extract of the leaves has been reported to have antifungal properties against many fungal strains like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavous, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans, etc. It also has been proven to have powerful anthelmintic properties.

2. Antioxidant Properties:

Reactive oxygen species are directly connected with cell death. Environmental stressors like pollution and exposure to harmful chemicals can increase the production of ROS leading to oxidative damage and cell death.

Moringa powder is very high in antioxidants and has been proven to be effective against many cancer cell lines including pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal carcinogenesis. Since it reduces oxidative stress effectively, it protects us against neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s too.

3. Lowers High Blood Sugar Levels

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 150 million people suffer from diabetes mellitus and this number is expected to double in the coming years. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, moringa leaf is effective for both types in rat studies.

I also found a study done on humans where 20g of moringa leaf powder was given to 17 diabetics and 10 healthy subjects. The glycemic meal response was lower in diabetic patients and healthy subjects showed no difference so it was concluded that it can be used as a hypoglycemic herbal drug.

4. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is very common and it is one of our body’s natural responses to injury. But it becomes a huge problem when the inflammation remains for a long duration of time. Chronic inflammation has been linked to various health problems including heart disease, cancer, etc.

Many herbs and spices help reduce inflammation and moringa tops that list. Isothiocyanates and tannins present in moringa powder are said to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Lowers Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol levels have been linked to an increased risk of heart problems. Many plant foods including moringa powder help reduce cholesterol levels and the bioactive compounds present in moringa powder prevent cardiovascular disease.

B-Sitosterol and flavonoids like quercetin present in moringa help decrease cholesterol absorption, tannins reduce inflammation and chlorogenic acid help lower cholesterol in plasma and the liver.

6. High In Nutrients

Moringa is a very good source of vitamin A vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and protein. Moringa is called poor man’s food as it is available very cheaply in India, regular consumption can treat many nutritional deficiencies. The leaves contain high amounts of vitamin A which can help prevent night blindness and other eye problems.

People suffering from anemia also will benefit from consuming moringa regularly, you can read the study supporting this claim here. The fresh leaves are always best to consume but if you don’t have access to the fresh leaves, I would suggest consuming the powder in the proper dosage.

Moringa Powder Dosage:

One teaspoon of the powder is suggested daily dosage but I would suggest starting with 1/4 teaspoon of moringa powder and working your way up, this way you will not suffer from any stomach discomfort.

Moringa Powder Side Effects:

If you overconsume moringa powder, it can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea. Overconsumption can also reduce blood sugar levels and blood pressure drastically so please practice caution.

How To Make Moringa Powder?

To make moringa powder, collect fresh moringa leaves and wash well to get rid of any dirt. Now separate the leaves, wash them well, and spread them on a clean kitchen cloth to remove excess moisture. You can either shade dry or sundry till the leaves are crisp and then powder. During the summer season, we can shade dry but during the winter season, I would suggest drying them under direct sunlight.

Three Top Ways To Use Moringa Powder

1. Moringa Health Drink:

Take a cup of buttermilk and add 1/4 teaspoon of moringa powder, and a pinch of black salt also called kala namak. Finally, add roasted cumin seed powder and mix well. This is a refreshing drink that is loaded with nutrients. People suffering from high blood sugar levels and high cholesterol levels will benefit from consuming this drink regularly.

2. Moringa Hair Pack:

To make the hair pack, take two tablespoons of moringa powder in a bowl. Add equal amounts of fenugreek powder. Finally, add enough curd and 1 tbsp of coconut oil to form a paste. Mix well into a smooth spreadable paste. To use, apply this pack all over the hair and scalp, wait for it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wash and condition your hair as usual. This pack will help arrest hair fall very soon.

3. Moringa Body Scrub:

For making the body scrub, take equal quantities of moringa powder and rice flour in a bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder and enough rose water to mix into a paste. Mix well and use it as a body scrub. This scrub will help exfoliate the skin gently, fade scars, and will make the skin smooth and glowing. This is due to the high amount of antioxidants present in moringa powder.