What Is Moringa Good For?

Medically reviewed by Allison Herries, RDN

Moringa is a nutrient-packed food that comes from the Moringa oleifera tree in India. Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers have long been used in traditional medicine throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Moringa powder is often added to smoothies, nutrition bars, and energy drinks or drank as tea. In oil form, it is used topically for hair and skincare.

This article discusses the potential uses, risk factors, and side effects of taking moringa.

Explainer

Dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted third party, such as the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF.org.

Even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn't mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, talking to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and checking in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications is essential.

Supplement Facts

• Active Ingredient(s): Phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols

• Alternate Name(s): Drumstick tree, horseradish tree

• Legal Status: Not currently regulated by the FDA

• Suggested Dose: No suggested recommended dose; needs more research.

• Safety Considerations: Not recommended for pregnant people or children. Moringa may also lower blood glucose levels.

Purported Uses of Moringa

Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent a disease.

Research on the potential health benefits of moringa is limited.

Diabetes

The majority of research into the effects of moringa on diabetes control has been in animals. These types of studies are insufficient to make any conclusions about moringa's use in humans with diabetes.

However, one small human study did find that moringa leaf powder reduced post-meal blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes by up to 40 milligrams per deciliter. More research is needed on the effects of moringa and diabetes control.

Wound Healing

One study found that oil extracted from moringa seeds could help wounds heal faster. The researchers found that the oil helped increase collagen in the wounds of mice with diabetes and those without. 

The researchers noted that moringa is high in oleic acid, which they also used separately in the study. They found that both the moringa oil and the oleic acid were helpful for wound healing.

Since this was an animal study, it is not known whether these effects would translate to humans.

Edema

The oil from moringa seeds may help reduce fluid accumulation, known as edema. An animal study found that topical application of moringa oil inhibited ear edema in mice. Again, because this was an animal study, it's unknown if it would work as well on humans.

Bacterial Infection

A laboratory study found that extract from the moringa leaf had antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, two food-borne pathogens.

Because the study was done in vitro (outside of a living organism), it's unclear whether moringa could work as a treatment against these bacterial infections in human beings. 

Arthritis

Researchers gave rats with and without arthritis extract of the moringa leaf, extract of the moringa seed, or a combination of both. They found that oil from both the seeds and leaves increased anti-inflammatory processes, but that the oil was more effective.

The researchers noted that further studies would be needed to learn what compounds cause the anti-inflammatory effect. Studies in humans would also be needed before moringa oil could be recommended for arthritis.

High Blood Pressure

A few animal studies have found that extract of moringa leaves can act as a vasodilator, which could lower blood pressure. It may also fight oxidative stress.

Studies in humans also found that moringa may help lower blood pressure. In one study, subjects given 120 g of cooked moringa leaves for one week had an overall blood pressure decrease compared to controls. Another study in obese males with high blood pressure found that moringa leaf significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Heart Health

A number of studies have looked into moringa's effect on heart health. One animal study found that N,α-L-rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide, an alkaloid extracted from moringa leaves, had cardioprotective effects.

Other studies have had similar results, concluding that various forms of moringa may have the ability to protect the heart from free radicals, inflammation, and tissue death. In one, moringa was found to protect against heart damage caused by DOX, an anti-cancer drug. Because these were animal studies, however, more research is needed to see if moringa has the same effects in humans.

Obesity and High Cholesterol

A review of studies noted that several studies have found moringa may help reduce bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, and reduce body weight.

Most of these studies have been done in animals, however, a few clinical trials in overweight and obese adults found that a formula containing 60% moringa leaves extract could help reduce body weight and BMI and improve good and bad cholesterol levels.

Eye Health

Animal studies suggest that the extract of moringa leaves may help prevent cataracts. There is also some evidence from animal studies that suggests moringa may help prevent diabetes-related damage to the eyes.

However, it's unclear how these results might translate to human beings, and more research needs to be done before moringa can be recommended for eye health.

Gastrointestinal Health

Some of the compounds found in moringa leaves have been shown to improve gastrointestinal health. For example, niaziridin, which is found in high concentrations in moringa leaves, seems to improve absorption of dietary vitamins and minerals. It may also increase the bioactivity of certain antibiotics.

Liver Health

Laboratory studies suggest that moringa seed extract may help prevent the deposit of fat in liver cells. In one study, researchers gave mice fed a high-fat diet a chemical called gastrodigenin rhamno-pyranoside (GR), which they extracted from moringa seeds. They found that the GR seemed to protect the mice from liver injury and was associated with a reduction in blood serum fat content.

Based on the results of this study, the researchers called GR a "potential candidate" for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Again, however, it's worth noting that animal studies don't always translate well to human beings.

Neuropathic Pain

Moringa has been researched for its impact on the central nervous system, including neuropathic pain. In one animal study, researchers looked at the effectiveness of a topical cream purified from moringa seeds for neuropathic pain related to multiple sclerosis. They found that the cream helped relieve pain and improve function.

A few animal studies have also found that moringa may have a neuroprotective effect that could help improve symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. However, these are preliminary studies and more research would need to be done before researchers will know if moringa can help control neuropathic pain in human beings. 

Kidney Health

Moringa has been studied for its possible kidney health benefits, but more research is needed before scientists will understand if and how the phytochemicals in moringa might protect against kidney disease.

A review of studies suggested that moringa can help protect the kidneys by activating certain substances that suppress free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. It may also reduce inflammation, thus slowing the progression of kidney disease.

Asthma

Some studies in humans have found that moringa seed may help reduce the severity of asthma attacks. Subjects in one study were given 3 grams of finely powdered moringa seed each day for three weeks. At the end of the study period, the people receiving the moringa seed showed significant improvement in three different measurements of exhaled air.

This was just one study, however. Larger studies need to be completed before researchers will know if moringa can help people with asthma.

Mental Health Disorders

There has been limited research into moringa's ability to treat depression. In one study, researchers tested the effects of moringa leaf extract on mice and found that it had antidepressant activity but did not alter motor function. Again, studies in mice don't necessarily translate to human beings, but more research could help scientists understand whether moringa could be used to help manage depression.

Another study in mice found that moringa extract could help reduce anxiety in mice. When the extracts were combined with Valium (diazepam), a benzodiazepine commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, the effects of both the drug and the extract were enhanced.

Cancer Treatment and Prevention

A number of studies have found that moringa extract may have anticancer properties. Most of these studies have either been laboratory studies in cells or in animals.

A review study published in 2021 concluded that moringa extract has "highly significant antitumor activity" against breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancer cells. However, the authors also said that further research is needed before scientists will know the best way to use it for cancer treatment or prevention.

What Are the Side Effects of Moringa

Although few human studies have evaluated moringa, those that did showed it to be well tolerated without any side effects reported.

Some researchers have found that a high intake of moringa may cause an increase of iron in the blood, which can cause stomach problems and worsen hemochromatosis. It is not recommended to have more than 70 grams per day.

Talk to your healthcare provider and pharmacist before taking any dietary or herbal supplements.

Precautions

Pregnant people and children should not take moringa in any form, as not enough research has been done in these populations. Always speak with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Moringa has been used as a galactagogue (something that increases milk supply) in Asia. However, several studies have shown that it likely will not assist with increasing the milk supply. If you are interested in taking moringa while lactating, please talk with your healthcare provider or lactation consultant before starting.

Dosage: How Much Moringa Should I Take?

Explainer

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage is appropriate for your individual needs.

There is not enough scientific evidence to determine a standard or appropriate dose of moringa at this time. More research is needed on dosages for specific health needs and populations.

Interactions

More research is needed on the interactions between moringa, medications, and herbal supplements. There has been some research suggesting that the below medications may interact with moringa:

• Rifampin, which is used to treat tuberculosis along with other medications

• Januvia (sitagliptin), an anti-diabetic medication for type 2 diabetes

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Summary

Moringa comes from the Moringa oleifera tree in India. Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers have been used in traditional medicine throughout Southeast Asia. It is now also cultivated in other parts of the world, such as Africa, South and Central America, and Mexico.

As a supplement, it is often found in capsule, powder, and extract forms. The dried pods and seeds are also available.

Currently, it’s too soon to recommend moringa for certain health-related purposes. If you're thinking of supplementing with moringa, make sure to consult your healthcare provider first. No supplement should be used to replace standard medical care.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.