What Is Moringa Powder, and What Does It Do?

Moringa powder has been used as a remedy for centuries. Filled with vitamins and antioxidants, here are its potential benefits and how to use it in your daily life.

By Rachel Rodek Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

— On Oct 10, 2022

What Is Moringa Powder and What Does It Do

In this article:

It may seem like new healthy foods are everywhere these days. And though many of these foods and supplements can help you feel healthier, there are also a lot of false claims to sort through.

Moringa leaf powder is one of these trendy health foods that has become popular in the wellness world. The moringa tree is native to Asia, Africa, and Latin America and has been used for thousands of years in ayurvedic and herbal medicine. There are so many possible health benefits attributed to Moringa oleifera that the tree has earned the nickname "miracle tree." Other names for this tree include the drumstick tree and the horseradish tree.

Antioxidant-filled, nutrient-dense, and a plant-based source of protein, there is a seemingly endless list of ways moringa leaf supplements may help you feel your best. Here’s a closer look at what moringa could do for you, its purported benefits, how to use it, and possible side effects. We will also cover the importance of finding a superfood dietary supplement to get your daily moringa and other supplements.

"I have tried a lot of greens but this is by far the best. I drink mine with milk every Morning using a hand mixer so it's frothy and cold. I see a difference in my digestive system since I started drinking it. I highly recommend the product and get it on the subscription as it sells out fast and you have to wait. Well worth the money."

Debra S, United States, September 2022

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The Bottom Line

What is moringa powder? Moringa oleifera contains essential vitamins and nutrients, has been used for centuries as an herbal supplement, and is emerging as one of many dietary plant compounds.
What are the benefits of moringa powder? The possible health benefits include regulating hormone levels, alleviating stress, assisting digestion, supporting immunity, defending against free radicals, and strengthening hair and nails.
What are the side effects of moringa powder? Since there is not much research on moringa leaf, experts recommend consulting your physician before adding it to your diet.
How to use moringa powder. Moringa powder can be taken in a capsule or as part of a dietary powder.
Why we recommend Live it Up Super Greens. Live it Up Super Greens is a dietary supplement with moringa leaf and other nutritionally dense superfoods that was created to help make getting your essential vitamins and minerals easy.

What Is Moringa Leaf?

This health food powder comes from the leaves of Moringa oleifera, also known as the Moringa oleifera tree, drumstick tree, miracle tree, or horseradish tree. Native to Asia, Africa, and South America, the moringa tree has been used as an herbal remedy in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years.

Though more research is needed on the health claims of moringa leaf and its uses in traditional medicine, many scientists and dietitians agree that it could harness incredible nutritional value and host a number of potential health benefits.

Every part of this miracle tree is edible, but the moringa leaves are most frequently made into a superfood powder after being dried. Depending on whether you opt for capsule supplements or a dietary powder, moringa leaf powder does not need to be refrigerated and can last on a shelf for months. Other parts of the drumstick tree that have historically been used in herbal medicine include Moringa oleifera seeds and Moringa oleifera root extract.

In recent years, the many possible nutritional benefits of moringa powder have made it a popular supplement for its high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and macro and micro-nutrients.

What Does Moringa Powder Do?

Since all parts of the moringa tree have many of the essential vitamins and nutrients needed to support the body’s functioning, moringa is used in different ways around the world.

Perhaps the most common form is moringa leaf powder. Studies have shown that the powder is the most nutritionally dense form of Moringa oleifera. Just 100 grams of the powerhouse moringa leaf powder provides vitamins C, B, E, and riboflavin, plus essential minerals to help with the body’s functioning. These minerals include zinc, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

A recent study even showed that Moringa oleifera contains a higher concentration of vitamins C, E, and iron than oranges and other nutrient-dense foods. These vitamins and minerals may help with improving immune function, sleep, fighting off infections, and hormone regulation.

If the high concentration of vitamins isn’t enough benefit, moringa leaf powder is also an ample source of antioxidants. These substances may help the body neutralize free radicals that can lead to oxidative stress, which can be harmful to cells and hinder body function.

Since the body is exposed to free radicals every day (think air pollution, alcohol, and sun exposure), Moringa oleifera may be a useful addition to your diet.

What Is Moringa Powder Used for?

Because of its high concentration of vitamins and minerals, moringa has been employed to help with a range of health challenges. In Senegal and Benin, moringa extract was used to help with malnutrition in children because of the plant’s powerful nutritional and antioxidant properties.

Aside from being used as an herbal therapy for malnutrition, moringa leaf may be helpful against inflammation caused by infections or injuries. Moringa also contains isothiocyanates, compounds that may assist the body’s recovery processes. Just 100 grams of the powder also provides 27 grams of plant-based protein, equal to nine times the protein found in yogurt.

Although the many possible uses of moringa leaves are far-reaching, there is little scientific data supporting their effectiveness in humans compared to animals. Further study is required to substantiate these claims. So, it’s important to know that even with its many potential nutritional benefits, moringa powder cannot be used as a tried-and-true remedy for serious illnesses and health challenges.

What Are the Potential Benefits of Moringa Powder?

What Are the Benefits of Moringa Powder?

Because of the many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the moringa tree, moringa leaves offer a wide range of possible benefits to your body's wellness. Remember that Moringa oleifera is not a single solution for many health challenges and should accompany advice from your doctor.

Here’s a look at some possible health benefits of taking moringa powder:

Moringa powder may help reduce inflammation because of its high antioxidant properties and vitamin C concentration.
Moringa leaf extract is rich in vitamin C, which may support immune function and aid in maintaining your body’s defenses against free radicals.
Some experts link moringa leaves to assist with brain function and memory.
Moringa powder also has antibacterial properties, which may help support the body’s natural defenses.
Studies link moringa leaf powder to aiding respiratory function.
Protein-dense moringa leaves may support the growth of strong hair and nails.
Moringa powder may support liver health by helping with liver damage.

Moringa may help balance hormones linked to women’s health, thyroid health, digestion, and sleep.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Moringa Powder?

Even though Moringa oleifera has an endless number of potential benefits, that doesn’t mean it is perfect. Like all things, there are some side effects you may experience with this superfood supplement. Here’s what you should be aware of before adding moringa leaf into your daily routine:

Moringa may contain chemical compounds harmful to pregnant women or people who are nursing.
Large quantities of moringa leaf may have a laxative effect on the body or cause an upset stomach.
Some experts warn against taking moringa leaf if you’re also taking thyroid medication. Be sure to check if moringa may negatively interact with any medications you’re taking.

How to Use Moringa Powder

Moringa oleifera is easy to incorporate into your diet. Some people opt for moringa extract capsules that you take as a vitamin or try moringa powder—this form can be blended into smoothies, stirred into juice, or sprinkled on top of your meal.

One of the easiest ways to get the proper amount of moringa powder is by opting for a dietary supplement. You could opt for tableted supplements or a supergreens powder that contains moringa alongside other superfoods that can support your physical and mental wellness.

Why We Recommended Live it Up

Finding ways to incorporate superfoods into your daily diet can be difficult, especially if you want to eat lesser-known health foods like Moringa oleifera. That’s why some people opt for superfood powders like Live it Up Super Greens.

Moringa is nutritionally dense by itself, but when paired with probiotics and other essential nutrients, this plant-based supplement becomes a nutritional powerhouse. Live it Up's unique green supplement blend makes it easy to get essential nutrients without any of the added sugars or preservatives that are often found in other dietary supplements—just add one scoop to your daily smoothie or juice.

What’s more, the brand demystifies common wellness lingo. Every ingredient in the natural dietary supplement is stated on the label. Or, visit their website for a deeper look at the possible health benefits of the selected greens and superfoods.

Opting for Live it Up Super Greens also makes getting your greens delicious. Whether you are kale-adverse, can’t stand the smell of nutritional supplements, or don't want to worry about finding moringa powder at your local store, Live it Up’s powder packs delicious flavor so that eating healthy isn’t a chore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moringa oleifera is popular in the health food world but still relatively unknown on a larger scale. To help you decide if moringa leaf is right for you, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions we hear.

What does moringa powder do?

Moringa leaves are filled with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and protein to support everyday health functions. Experts have linked the superfood to assisting immune function, reducing inflammation, and fighting free radicals.

What is moringa powder used for?

For thousands of years, Moringa oleifera has been used traditionally to aid malnutrition, support the immune system, hormone regulation, sleep, digestion, and more.

Is moringa powder good for you?

Moringa oleifera is generally considered safe for most people and has nutrients that are essential for keeping your body healthy. One tablespoon of the superfood powder contains three grams of protein, 120 mg of potassium, 182 mg of calcium, and 20.5 mg of iron.

This superfood also has antioxidant properties and other essential vitamins, including high levels of vitamin C.

How much moringa powder should you take per day?

Depending on which form you choose, experts recommend a daily serving of two to six grams of moringa leaf. Try not to exceed this limit, since high doses of Moringa oleifera can have laxative side effects or lead to an upset stomach.

References

About the author:

Rachel Rodek Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

Rachel is a registered dietitian based in Martinez, California, with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in working with prenatal and postpartum women and their infants, as well as with athletes from beginner to pro. When not helping others, she enjoys spending time with her kids, being physically active, and tending to her abundant household plants.

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