Our guest is Karin Russell is a herbalist and natural health consultant.
Can you tell me a little about the moringa tree and what makes it so special?
- Moringa has a great nutrient profile. It’s high in protein, with 18 amino acids (including the 9 essential amino acids). It also has 95 nutrients and 46 antioxidants.
- It’s not just the leaves that are edible.
- The tree is grown in temperate climates. It does best in subtropical and tropical areas.
- It does not like frost but will grow easily under right conditions.
- You can eat the leaves, flowers and drumsticks (the tree is also known as the drumstick tree).
- It originates in India and North Africa.
- In North and Central Africa is has been an important food because of its high nutritional value and many uses.
- It grows large, so perhaps not such a great garden tree unless managed.
- You can eat the leaves in salads or can cook them to make a dish similar to marog or other spinach dishes. You can cook it with potatoes, rice and soup as well. Moringa is also used in Indian curries. It’s extremely versatile, both fresh and as a powder.
- The drumsticks (the pods) can also be eaten. These can be chopped up and used similarly to beans except that they cook a little longer (they can be quite tough). The younger pods are, however, quite delicious.
- The mature seeds can be used for oils. Moringa oil is a very good skin oil, both nourishing and protective.
- Even the bark and roots can be used medicinally.
What does it taste like?
- It tastes like other dark leafy greens.
- When you cook it, you can mask the taste with spices.
- If you can eat the leaves fresh, the taste is milder.
- The leaves used to make the powder tend to be older, and the taste is more intense. But it’s easy to hide in smoothies.
What are its medicinal properties?
- Moringa may help those with Type 2 diabetes – or those wanting to prevent diabetes – to control their blood sugar levels.
- It helps with blood pressure.
- It has been used for controlling cholesterol.
- It may help to balance hormones.
- It may be anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory.
- Like other true greens, use it as a food to make sure you get all the essential nutrition that the plant provides.
- Moringa is good for digestive health as it’s high in fibre.
How to use moringa?
- If someone has access to a tree, it’s best to eat the leaves, pods and flowers. Your food is your medicine and you’re eating to stay healthy.
- Supplements are available in powder or capsule form.
- If you’re making a smoothie, one tablespoon is sufficient. This can be increased depending on the circumstances.
- The great thing about moringa is that it can be heated without losing its nutritional value.
What are the key takeaways from this discussion?
- For optimal health and vitality, moringa is a good choice to include in your diet. A small amount gives you a lot of nutrition thanks to its dense nutritional profile.
- Moringa is also affordable compared to many other superfoods.
- Moringa is a generally safe food. It’s likely to be grown organically, which is important when buying either the leaves or the powder.
Looking for moringa powder then why not try our moringa powder from SynerChi Organics.