Amazing Health Benefits of Moringa to Nigerians

Moringa, also known as Moringa oleifera, has recently become popular in Nigeria.

It is a plant that has existed for thousands of years and has been used traditionally as an ayurvedic medicine to cure a wide range of diseases. 

It is found mainly in Africa, Asia, and South America. 

According to research, it has a cure for over 300 diseases but recently received an amazing amount of appraisal from people around the globe for its health benefits and a massive amount of nutrients. 

The moringa tree is also known as the MIRACLE TREE for a good reason.

Every part of the tree, from the leaves, flowers, seeds, pods, bark, and sap to the roots, has medicinal properties.

Read on to find out the many awesome benefits of moringa in more detail.

Health Benefits of Moringa 

Here are 9 top health benefits of moringa; 

1. Lowers blood sugar level

High blood sugar is a serious problem and a significant sign of diabetes.

High blood sugar levels can increase the risk of heart and kidney diseases and poor blood circulation.

Your blood sugar level must be kept within a standard limit. 

Several research supports the fact that moringa lowers blood sugar level. 

It was found that adding 50 grams of moringa to a daily diet reduces the risk of high blood sugar by 21 percent, and it contains the antioxidant chlorogenic acid, which helps to stabilize blood sugar level.

2. Reduces inflammation

Inflammation is the natural response of the body to injury or infection. 

It is a protective mechanism, but because of unhealthy living and diets, it can increase in the body. 

Moringa has been found to contain isothiocyanate, which significantly lowers inflammation. 

3. Weight loss

One animal study showed that moringa in the diet could help reduce weight gain.

4. Rich in antioxidants

Moringa has antioxidants that protect against the damaging effects of free radicals present in the environment.

The damage caused by free radicals is the cause of some chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart problems, and Alzheimer’s.

Moringa is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene that fights against free radicals.

5. Boosts sex drive and birth control

Moringa has been proven to boost testosterone levels, i.e., sex drive. It’s also been shown to enhance sexual performance. 

Women have also been warned off moringa as it reduces the conception rate. 

So, women who want to conceive, pregnant women, or nursing mothers should stay away from it.

They should also avoid consuming moringa as the chemicals found in the root, bark, and flowers can be harmful to them. 

Moringa seeds and moringa seed extracts, in particular, have toxicity in immune cells. 

6. Protects and nourishes the skin

Moringa contains natural antifungal and antiviral compounds that protect the skin from infection.

It can be used for athletes’ feet, to get rid of acne, heal insect bites.

The oil can be added to the skin as an astringent oil to fight off bacteria and fungal infections.

7. Lowers cholesterol

High cholesterol increases the risk of heart problems, and eating moringa leaves has shown improvement against cholesterol.

Read also: Health Benefits of Groundnut

8. Maintains mental health

Moringa protects the brain’s health as it is rich in an Amino acid called tryptophan which is linked to the feel-good or happy hormone serotonin.

Moringa leaves are high in vitamins C and E, which prevents the oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer’s. 

Rich in the antioxidant known as thyroid, which fights off fatigue, depression, mood swings, and insomnia.

9. Protects the liver

Those with tuberculosis can benefit significantly from moringa because it reduces the effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs. 

The leaves of moringa accelerate repair in the liver cell.

The leaves contain a high concentration of polyphenols that protects against oxidative damage and may reduce it.

Moringa also increases the protein level in the liver. 

The liver is the site for blood detoxification, and the liver enzymes are stabilized with moringa.

10. It helps to balance hormones

A 2014 study published in the journal of food and science technology tested moringa alongside amaranth leaves and found that supplementing moringa with amaranth leaves causes an increase in antioxidants. 

It has therapeutic potential in helping to prevent complexities due to aging and natural hormonal changes.

 The study also found that women subsequent to menopause who took this mixture for 3 months had a significant decrease in markers of oxidative stress and brought about more balanced hormones. 

Other health benefits of moringa include;

• The oil detoxifies harmful substances in the body.
• It is suitable for stomach-related problems such as ulcers, digestive disorders, gastritis, constipation, and bloating.
• It works well for asthma.
• It is suitable for bone health, a perfect solution for arthritis and damaged bones. 
• It prevents the development of cancer cells.

Read also: Important health benefits of Tiger nut. 

Benefits of Moringa Seeds

As written above, all parts of moringa have exceptional properties.

Each with a cure for a particular disease or the other. 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of moringa seeds and the health benefits of moringa seeds.

Moringa seeds come in an enclosed green pod, which is obtained from the moringa plant.

The seeds and pods turn black when dried and can be chewed directly, ground into powdery form, and oil can be extracted from it.

They can also be steamed, boiled, or roasted for various purposes.

Moringa seeds are a great source of iron, zinc, vitamins, and other minerals, and it comes with many benefits.

Below are ten of the numerous benefits of moringa seeds:

1. Good source of iron

The body needs iron to carry blood and oxygen to muscles, tissues, and other organs. 

Those who have low iron levels in the body experience various health issues.

A deficiency of iron can lead to anemia and other symptoms like constant fatigue, difficulty breathing, weakness, headaches, and poor mental assimilation.

Moringa has iron three times higher than spinach. Moringa can be eaten daily to increase the iron level.

2. High in fibers

This is another health benefit of moringa seeds. It helps to transport food along the digestive system and aids the digestion of food because of its high level of fiber. 

3. Great for kidney health

Another benefit of moringa seeds is it reduces the risk of kidney diseases.

Kidney diseases are considered among the major health problems in the world, such as kidney injury and chronic kidney diseases. 

Consuming moringa seeds leads to fewer chances of developing problems in the kidney.

The high amount of antioxidant levels in moringa helps reduce toxicity levels in the kidney.

4. A form of astringent

It is also applied topically as an astringent. Moringa seeds in this area helps to fight bacterial infections and treat wounds, cuts, and bites from insect and other animals.

5. High level of oleic acid

Oleic acid is a fatty acid that stands as one of the antioxidants in moringa seeds.

It is one of the characteristic benefits of moringa seeds, accounting for 73.57% of the total fatty acids. 

Oleic acid is mainly used for preventing heart disease and reducing cholesterol. It is also used for preventing cancer. 

6. It improves sleep

One of the many benefits of moringa seeds is their ability to aid the treatment of insomnia. 

The oil extracted from moringa seeds is a rich source of many vitamins and minerals, and essential amino acids that aid sleep-inducing hormones. 

This oil produces an easing effect and helps the user sleep longer and better.

7. Improves vision

Improving eyesight and poor vision is another unique benefit of moringa seeds, as it contains a good level of Vitamin A.

Those who use moringa seeds have testified to experience a better vision.

8. It heals gastric ulcers

Moringa seeds have excellent ulcer-healing properties. 

A study on rats showed that moringa seed extract helped reduce ulcers, and acid pepsin secretion was reduced.

Read also: Health benefits of Ginger and Garlic. 

9. Aids heart health

The practical benefits of moringa seeds on our cardiovascular structure promote overall heart health. 

It helps protect the heart from high chances of having hypertension and other heart-related problems. 

10. It improves bone health

Several research says moringa is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin k, protein, and phosphorus.

Thus, making the bone stronger in the following proportion: Calcium – 24.7%, Vitamin K – 158.7%, and Protein – 25%.

Those with arthritis, damaged bones, and other disorders should benefit from moringa seeds by consuming moringa seeds extracts.

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Benefits of Moringa Seeds to The Skin

Moringa seeds also have various benefits for our skin. These are some of the numerous benefits; 

1. An excellent skin moisturizer

Moringa seed oil has significant omega-9 fatty acids making it one of the best natural skin moisturizers.

This oil locks in moisture and gives the skin a natural glow. 

Moringa seed oil is a common ingredient in beauty and cosmetic products like;

• Body creams
• Face cleansers
• Soaps 
• Aromatherapy oils
• Fragrances and perfumes
• Body oils 
• Hair treatments and products.

2. Anti-aging agent

Moringa seeds contain anti-aging properties and reduce damage caused in the skin by free radicals from the environment.

It was found to be highly loaded with collagen, which helps clear wrinkles on the skin.

3. Cleansing agent

It is a powerful cleansing agent as it lessens blemishes on the clean and inflammation caused by acne.

Benefits of Moringa Seeds to The Hair

Moringa seeds do the hair a lot of good. To avoid chemical products, moringa is another natural alternative that can be used for hair health.

1. Promotes hair growth

One of the essential benefits of moringa seeds for hair is that it boosts hair growth. 

Moringa contains vitamin A, vitamin B, and omega-3 fatty acids. The iron in moringa seeds helps prevent hair loss. 

All these nutrients nourish the hair and enhance proper hair growth.

2. Repairs damaged hair

Another essential benefit of moringa seeds is the zinc in moringa seeds. It improves the hair by repairing damaged hair follicles. 

Zinc protects the hair from drying and keeps the oil glands in the scalp healthy.

Moringa seeds are loaded with amino acids that help build and repair damaged hair cells and hair edges. 

3. Improves scalp health

Moringa has a high level of oleic acid which makes it one of the best benefits of moringa seeds. 

It primarily contains oleic acid, and since oleic acid is a type of fatty acid, it cleanses your scalp without stripping off the moisture but retains it.

The anti-inflammatory properties of moringa also reduce various problems like itchy scalp, dandruff, flakes, and scalp wounds. 

How to Use Moringa Seeds for Hair

To gain the most out of moringa seeds, the oil is an excellent way to incorporate moringa seeds into your hair care routine.

The oil boosts hair health and revitalizes dull hair strands.

The seeds could be dried under the sun, ground to powdery form and the oil extracted through a cold press or double boiling method.

While in powdery form, it can be used as a hair mask for hair treatment or added generally to hair products like shampoo, conditioners, hair creams, and leave-in treatments.

Conclusion

With all of the above, you would agree that moringa is one of the blessings of nature to humanity.

If you’re not using it yet, you should start now.

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About Author

Lawal Jesutofunmi Mary

Lawal Jesutofunmi Mary is a Skin care expert, hair care consultant and content writer communicating helpful information on hair and skin care through writing. She is an avid reader who loves to broaden her horizons through reading. Writing reviews of books on personal growth and self development gives her joy.

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