Moringa oil has been used both in the kitchen and in cosmetics thanks to its he alth and care properties. Moringa oil is primarily a treasury of oleic acid, which lowers cholesterol and thus prevents atherosclerosis and heart disease. It also regulates the pressure level. Check what other properties moringa seed oil has and how to use it.
Moringa oilfounduseboth in the kitchen and incosmeticsthanks to your he alth and care properties. And he has a lot of these. No wonder - this oil is obtained from the seeds of a plant called the "longevity tree", belonging to the group of superfoods, i.e. the he althiest products in the world. A characteristic feature of moringa oil is that, as one of the few oils, it consists mainly of oleic acid, which has a positive effect on he alth.
Moringa oil - a good source of oleic acid
Moringa oil mostly (74.9%) consists of oleic acid from the group of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA).
Moringa oil is equal to olive oil in terms of the content of beneficial oleic acid.
Oleic acid by reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol lowers the content of "bad" LDL cholesterol. In addition, it reduces viscosity and lowers blood pressure. Therefore, moringa oil may play an important role in the prevention of atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Among the "good" fats found in moringa oil, we can also mention palmitoleic acid (MUFA) and acids: linoleic and linolenic (PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acids). As in any oil, moringa oil also contains saturated fats that are harmful to he alth, which increase the concentration of bad cholesterol. They constitute 20 percent. its contents.
Fatty acid content in moringa² oil
| name of the fatty acid | percentage of moringa oil | type of fatty acid |
| oleic acid | 74.9 percent | unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) |
| palmitic acid | 12 percent | saturated fatty acids |
| palmitoleic acid | 2.7 percent | unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) |
| stearic acid | 2 percent | saturated fatty acids |
| lauric acid | 1.9 percent | saturated fatty acids |
| arachidic acid | 1.8 percent | saturated fatty acids |
| Linolenic acid | 1.7 percent | unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) |
| Linoleic acid | 1.2 percent | unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) |
| myristic acid | 0.86 percent | saturated fatty acids |
Moringa oil - healing properties
In addition to oleic acid, moringa oil also contains other substances that have a positive effect on he alth - vitamins (A and E), sterols and antioxidants. Especially thanks to the latter, it has numerous he alth properties. Among other things, it has the potential to regenerate toxin-damaged liver, as shown by Nigerian scientists .¹ When the liver is damaged, substances such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are released into the blood and levels are elevated. A study by non-Berry scientists found that consuming moringa oil reduced levels of ALT and AST. So they suggest that this oil can be used for liver damage caused by certain toxins, such as hepatitis B viruses and medications.
Moringa oil - use in the kitchen
Cold pressed moringa oil can be used in salad dressings or with mayonnaise. Due to the large amount of monounsaturated acids, which have a high smoke point, it is also suitable for frying, but for a short time. However, in this case, refined moringa oil is the best.
Moringa oil should be kept in a cool place, preferably in a dark glass bottle, away from light (it makes it rancid, like any fat). After opening, it is best to use it within 3 months.
Moringa oil for hair and face. The use of moringa oil in cosmetics
Moringa oil is recommended for softening and moisturizing the skin. The unsaturated fatty acids contained in it strengthen the skin's protective barrier, prevent water from escaping from the skin, improving the level of its hydration, and have a soothing and nourishing effect. In addition, they activate the regenerative processes of the damaged lipid barrier of the epidermis and reduce inflammation and stabilize the skin's metabolism. Therefore, moringa oil is recommended primarily to people with dry and mature skin.
Oilmoringa can also be applied to the hair. It prevents hair loss by strengthening the roots. It helps in the fight against dandruff. Moringa oil can be used both before and after washing. Before washing, it can be used as a regenerating conditioner - just apply the oil to unwashed hair and make a compress with a towel, wash your hair after at least 30 minutes. It can also be used as a pre-styling serum - just apply a small amount to damp hair.
The oil can also be used for massage or for skin care after bathing.
Bibliography:
1. Edible oils for liver protection: hepatoprotective potentiality of Moringa oleifera seed oil against chemical-induced hepatitis in rats, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22757719
2. Ashraf F., Gilani S., Fatty Acids in Moringa oleifera Oil, "Journal of the Chemical Society 2007", vol. 29, no. 4
3. Physico-chemical and Antioxidant Properties of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil, "Pakistan Journal of Nutrition" 2011, nr 10 (5)