Moringa oleifera is a plant species of the genus Moringa and the family Moringaceae. An amazingly hardy plant, it grows well in dry and sandy soil and resists drought and disease. In addition, it grows so fast it is sometimes harvested by cutting back the stem and allowing the moringa tree to regrow each season.
Moringa oleifera is an incredibly nutritious plant that is cultivated and harvested in many areas of the world, but most commonly in areas where other plants are unable to thrive. A traditionally harvested food source in Africa, virtually every part of the moringa tree can be used for food, medicine, or put to some other beneficial use.
Moringa Oleifera Benefits
The moringa plant is nutritionally dense. Along with it’s ability to thrive in harsh climates, this makes it a popular crop to cultivate in areas where food is scarce. Moringa leaves contain high levels of Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, beta carotene, and protein.
For this reason, Moringa oleifera leaves are often used as a primary food source or supplement for preventing malnutrition in children and nursing mothers. According to the Philipine Bureau of Plant Industry, “Moringa leaves have the calcium equivalent of 4 glasses of milk, the vitamin C content of 7 oranges, potassium of 3 bananas, 3 times the iron of spinach, 4 times the amount of vitamin A in carrot, and 2 times the protein in milk.”
In addition to the leaves, the moringa seeds and fruit are highly edible and nutritious as well. The seed pods (sometimes called drumsticks) are protein-rich and contain every essential amino acid, making them useful as a primary protein source. Even the flowers can be cooked and eaten, and contain high amounts of calcium and potassium.
Moringa root is also used as a condiment in some areas of the world, but the practice has become discouraged as it contains certain alkaloids that may be toxic. However, all other parts of the moringa tree are safe to eat.
Moringa Oleifera Nutrition
The nutritional properties of moringa oleifera are virtually unequaled in the plant kingdom. Just 25 grams of moringa leaf powder will satisfy the following nutritional requirements for an average child:
- Protein 42%
- Vitamin C 22%
- Calcium 125%
- Potassium 41%
- Magnesium 61%
- Vitamin A 272%
- Iron 71%
Again, the Philippine government found that ounce for ounce moringa oleifera leaves contain the calcium in four glasses of milk, the vitamin C contained in seven oranges, the potassium content of three bananas, three times the iron content of spinach leaves, four times the vitamin A in carrot, and twice the protein found in milk.
Considering the nutritional density of this amazing plant, there are few food sources in the plant or animal kingdom that even come close to the benefits of the moringa oleifera plant. No wonder it is often referred to as “the miracle tree”.
How You Can Enjoy The Benefits of Moringa Oleifera
There are many sources of moringa oleifera products on the internet, including moringa leaf powder and capsules. However, it is difficult to determine the quality of such sources, as moringa is treated as a food source and is therefore unregulated. For this reason, to enjoy the full benefits of moringa oleifera it is advisable that you seek the most reliable and highest quality of moringa products.
To date, there is only one company that has been able to extract the whole beneficial properties of the moringa plant for use as a daily whole food supplement. Their process includes all the nutritious parts of the moringa tree in a single convenient source, including:
- Moringa protein
- Antioxidants
- Moringa omega oils
- Moringa vitamins and minerals
Since moringa is an all-natural product with these vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and proteins naturally occurring in the plant, the nutrition contained in the products is easily absorbed and readily used by the body.
To learn more about the only standardized moringa oleifera food supplements that are derived from all the beneficial parts of the moringa tree, and that are manufactured to GMP standards, click the link below: