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Moringa is a plant that has exceptional nutritional values, and hence - healing properties. Moringa contains four times more vitamin A than carrots, seven times more vitamin C than oranges, 17 times more protein than milk, and 25 times more iron than spinach. No wonder moringa is called the "miracle tree" or "tree of long life" and belongs to the superfood group, the he althiest food in the world. Check what other properties moringa has and what it is used for.

Moringa oleifera(LatinMoringa oleifera ) is a plant with exceptionalnutritional properties , thanks to which it is included in the group of superfoods, i.e. the he althiest products in the world. Moringa is known in some countries as horseradish tree, stick tree and ben tree.

This plant, originating in India, has beenusednot only in natural medicine, but also in cosmetics and cooking.

All parts of the tree can be used in many ways.

Flowers, leaves and bark provide a valuable raw material for medicines, as do the roots, which taste like horseradish (hence the other name of the plant "horseradish tree").

In turn,moringa oilis obtained from the seeds, which can be used for food and skin care. Grains - incl. due to their antibacterial properties - they are also used in water purification.

The bark can be used to make ropes and paper.

The whole plant is also used as biomass for the production of alternative energy (e.g. biofuels), and its "waste" is an ideal ecological fertilizer.

Moringa - nutritional values ​​

Moringa contains:

  • twice as much protein as soy
  • four times more vitamin E than wheat germ
  • four times more vitamin A than carrots
  • seven times more vitamin C than oranges
  • 15 times more potassium than bananas
  • 17 times more protein than milk
  • 25 times more iron than spinach .¹

Moringa is also high in manganese, chromium and boron.

Manganese is important for bone and joint he alth, and chromium is important for metabolism and stressstress.

Boron plays a dominant role in the economy of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. It is also a micronutrient important for the work of the brain.

Moringa is the plant with the highest boron content (31 mg / 100 g). Quince (approx. 10 mg / 100 g), almonds (3.4 mg / 100 g) and beets (2.1 mg / 100 g) contain large (but not so large) amounts of organic boron compounds .¹

Moringa - a we alth of antioxidants and more

Moringa also contains all essential amino acids,26 anti-inflammatory substancesand omega-3, -6 and -9 fatty acids.

Moringa is also high in46 antioxidants (antioxidants) . Thanks to this, moringa is one of the products with the highest antioxidant capacity (ORAC for short - Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), i.e. the ability to catch and neutralize free radicals, and thus - the ability to protect body cells against oxidative stress that can lead to development many diseases, including cancer, diseases of the heart and vascular system and diabetes.

It has been shown thatORAC index for moringa leaf powder is 157,600and is higher than for:

  • acai berries (102,700)
  • green tea (1 253)
  • berries (9 621)
  • dark chocolate (20 816)
  • garlic (5 708)
  • goji berries (3 290)
  • red wine (3 607) ²

so food that is considered a treasury of antioxidants. Only dried cloves (314,446), dried cinnamon (267,536) and dried oregano (200,129) have a higher ORAC index.

Of the 46 antioxidants contained in moringa, it is worth paying attention to zeatin, salvesterol and chlorophyll.

Zeatinis a substance that ensures that all vitamins, minerals, trace elements and amino acids are absorbed by the body.

In turn,salvesterolbelongs to the group of substances called phytoalexins. They are produced by plants in response to infections caused by plant pathogens. Scientists have found that salvesterol also hasanti-cancer properties- it converts into a toxic substance in cancerous tissue, leading to tumor destruction.

In addition, it has been shown that moringa has the highest concentration ofchlorophyllof any plant tested so far.¹ Chlorophyll is a green pigment that supports cleansing processes - it creates strong connections with some of the toxic compounds (including some carcinogenic substances) - thanks to this, a smaller amount of harmful compounds reaches the body's tissues.

Moringa - used inkitchen

Moringa is widely used in the kitchen.Fruits and young shootsare eatenafter cooking .Young leavesCress-flavored can be eaten similar to spinach.After drying and grindingthey are added to soups, salads, cocktails, yoghurts or milk-fruit shakes.

Powdered moringa leavesshould be consumed max. 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon (1.5 g) with food or in the form of tea or cocktails.

They can also be usedto make tea , which has a sweet note. For food purposes, you can also usemoringa oil .

Moringa - use in cosmetics

Moringa oil is recommended for skin and hair care. Thanks to it, they will become soft and intensely moisturized. The oil is easily absorbed and the greasy film does not stay on the skin for long. It can also be used for a relaxing massage.

Moringa - where to buy? What's the price?

Moringa can be purchased in stores as:

  • powdered leaves (the price is about PLN 30 for 50 g)
  • tablets or capsules (prices range from PLN 50 to even over PLN 100, depending on the number of capsules and the manufacturer)
  • Moringa teas (approx. PLN 50 per 100 g)

Moringa - contraindications

It is not recommended to use moringa roots, bark and flowers during pregnancy. The substances contained in these parts of the plant can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage. Additionally, there is not enough information available about the safety of using other parts of the moringa during pregnancy. Therefore, women expecting a baby should not reach for this plant .³

Category:

Alternative medicine