Native to Northern India and also found in Asia, Africa, and South America, the Moringa oleifera is a plant that is often called the “drumstick” tree or the miracle tree. All parts of the plant – leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root – have been used in medicine for over 5000 years. It’s potentially one of the planet’s most valuable plants, not just for its health benefits, but its benefits for the earth overall with its potential to improve malnutrition, starvation, rural poverty, public health, deforestation and is considered a “poor-person” plant.
Health Benefits of Moringa Seeds
This small, pea-like plant has more benefits than it does peas. From improving immune systems to acting as an aphrodisiac, the Moringa plant is a nutritious powerhouse that naturally boosts overall health.
Here are some of the many health benefits with connections to Moringa seeds:
- Antioxidant-Rich
Antioxidants affect the levels of free-radicals in your body. Free radicals in high levels lead to oxidative stress, which lead to chronic illnesses like heart diseases and type-2 diabetes. Moringa seeds are rich in plant nutrients like phytochemicals that have shown to strengthen cells and protect them from pathogens. They protect the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood, and overall immune system.
- Better Sleep
Moringa oil has shown to improve sleeping problems such as insomnia with its 18 essential amino acids.
- Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
With high levels of zinc, the plant helps regulate blood sugar levels as well as reduce sugar and protein in the urine and improves hemoglobin levels.
- Organ Health
Just as with blood, the moringa plant improves function in two of the vital organs, the heart and kidneys, as well as the eyes. The antioxidants protect the body from cardiac damage and toxicity levels in the kidneys. They also reduce retinal vessels, prevent capillary membrane thickening, and prevent retinal dysfunction.
- High Fiber Levels/Digestion
Say goodbye to stomach pains thanks to the Vitamin B that you get when you eat more moringa seeds. Its high levels of fibers help with digestion and its antibacterial and antibiotic properties protect your gut from pathogens.
- Anti-inflammatory
Moringa has anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties that improve joint pain.
- Cancer Fighting
Niazimicin is a compound that helps suppress cancer cells from developing by accelerating their death count.
- Better Skin and Hair
Moringa oil has been used in skin care and hair products because of its protein levels that protect cell damage. This means it strengthens skin and hair cells as well as improve problems like rashes or sunburn. Plus, its hydrating and detoxifying elements make it a good moisturizer for hair and skin.
More Studies of Moringa Needed
Though the moringa plant has been used in medicine for thousands of years, scientists today are still conducting research to have concrete evidence that it does work. Most studies revolving moringa have been conducted on mice or in test tubes and need more human testing.
Nonetheless, it’s called the miracle tree for a reason. If your new year’s resolution was to be healthier, then definitely eat more moringa seeds!
