E-Book 26
Moringa The ‘Miracle Tree’
Moringa Leaf Powder
M
oringa is native to the foothills of the Himalayas but is now wide spread throughout the tropics. It grows quickly to heights ranging from 5-10m (1). It is used traditionally as both a medicinal and dietary crop with modern reseach confirming its high content of health-promoting vitamins, minerals, protein and phytochemicals.
Traditional Uses of Moringa For many indiginous people around the world plants are one of the key resources used for treating a wide range of ailments. A study into the use of plants for medicinal purposes found that moringa was one of the most important species used by traditional healers in the silent valley of Kerala in India (2) as well as being used as both food and medicine in other parts of India (3), Nigeria (4), Ghana and many other African countries. Its uses range from the treatment of pain, weakness, fever, asthma, coughs, high blood pressure, epilepsy, wounds, and skin infections to chronic and potentially fatal diseases such as HIV/AIDs, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, malaria, cardiovascular disease and liver maladies (1,4)
Nutrient Content of Moringa Leaves Analysis of moringa leaves has found them to contain a wide range of macro and micro nutrients including magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese and iron (5). Moringa is also a rich source of antioxidants including glucosinolates, isothiocyanates (6), carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, phenols and vitamins C and E (7). As we shall see when we delve into the research it is these nutrients and phytonutrients that give moringa many of its health promoting properties.
Moringa corrects iron deficiency One study into the effects of moringa leaves on iron deficient rats found that moringa leaf combined with ascorbic acid was superior to ferric citrate combined with ascorbic acid in overcoming the effects of iron deficiency (8). Given that many iron supplements cause side effects such as constipation, and that the iron in plant foods is not always bio-available, BonPom’s moringa powder is an excellent option for those with low iron levels.
Moringa has protective effects against cancer The phenolic compounds in Moringa have been shown to exert cytotoxic effects and anti-tumour activity (14) making it a potentially useful treatment in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer with promising results for the effects of moringa on cancers of the lungs and pancreas. With increases in exposure to airborne pollutants and cigarette smoke the incidence of lung cancer is expected to rise. Recent research has found that moringa exhibits anti-proliferative effects against lung cancer by increasing oxidative stress and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells (15) as well as inhibiting cytokine production in lungs that have been exposed to cigarette smoke. It appears that Moringa could potentially be used to reduce tissue damage in those exposed to pollutants such as cigarette smoke (16).
Moringa contains glucosinolates which are the precursors to isothiocyanates. The isothiocyanates in moringa have been shown to decrease inflammatory markers, making it potentially useful for alleviating low grade inflammation in the many chronic and acute diseases that have inflammation at their root (9).
Fewer than 6% of patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas live up to five years after diagnosis. Chemotherapy is currently the standard treatment, however, these tumours often develop drug resistance over time. Agents for increasing the effects of chemotherapy or reducing the cancer cells’ resistance to the drugs are required to improve treatment outcomes. Investigations into the potential of moringa leaf extract found it to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer cells (17)
Moringa supports blood sugar control
Moringa supports liver health
Moringa is commonly used in folk medicine as an anti-diabetic agent. A recent study into the effects of moringa leaf extract on diabetic rats found that it normalised elevated blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It also regenerated damaged liver cells and pancreatic beta cells due to its antioxidant properties (10). Oxidative damage is at the heart of many complications of diabetes and other health problems meaning the regular intake of moringa leaves may protect diabetic as well as non-diabetic patients against oxidative damage (11).
Eating a high-fat diet over a period of time can lead to many health problems including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which, in turn, often leads to multiple complications. A study of mice with fatty liver disease found that moringa leaf extract had both preventative and curative effects on the liver (18).
Moringa reduces inflammation
Moringa protects brain health Dementia is an increasingly prevalent problem but the currently available treatment options have only limited efficacy. This makes prevention and delay of the onset of dementia a top priority for public health. Since oxidative stress plays a big role in age-related dementia the antioxidant and brain enhancing activities of moringa have been investigated. Findings suggest that moringa improves spatial memory and reduces neuro-degeneration in rats. The researchers conclude that moringa leaves are potential cognitive enhancers and neuro-protectors and may be useful in delaying or preventing the onset of dementia. (12). Further to this rats fed moringa who subsequently had an induced stroke suffered less brain damage and oxidative damage than those who had not had the moringa. This is likely to be due to the protective effects of the antioxidants in moringa on the brain (13) and makes moringa a good option for those at risk of stroke.
Conclusion In short, moringa leaf powder is an excellent choice for those with potentially chronic low grade conditions such as inflammation or iron deficiency, as well as providing a good insurance policy for those wishing to prevent or delay the onset of wide spread degenerative diseases in the long term. It is also a good all round high nutrient, protein rich, savoury food that can be incorporated into the diet in a number of ways.
Notes of Caution Moringa has a slight laxative effect so it is recommended to start with a small amount and monitor reactions. If you are on blood thinning medication consult your doctor before taking moringa powder.
How to use Moringa Powder Moringa has a savoury flavour with hints of spinach and broccoli. It is best not to cook moringa powder, instead stir it into cooked foods just before serving. Here are some ideas for how to get your daily dose of moringa:
• Stir into porridge or yoghurt for a green nutrient boost at breakfast • Stir into soups, stews and casseroles at the end of cooking • Blend into smoothies • Sprinkle over salads
Recipes Green Goddess Smoothie 1 ripe avocado, skinned and stoned 1 cup of oat milk or almond milk 1 cup of fresh pineapple, de-skinned and cut into chunks 2 tsp moringa powder Put all the ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Gado-Gado Sauce 1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil 1 onion, peeled and chopped 1 tsp root ginger, finely chopped
References Hussain S, Malik F, Mahmood SJ. Review: an exposition of medicinal preponderance of Moringa oleifera (Lank.) Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Mar;27(2):397-403. Yabesh JE, Prabhu S, Vijayakumar S. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in silent valley of Kerala, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Jul 3;154(3):774-89. Sivasankari B, Anandharaj M, Gunasekaran P. An ethnobotanical study of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used by the village peoples of Thoppampatti, Dindigul district, Tamilnadu, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Apr 28;153(2):408-23. Popoola JO, Obembe OO. Local knowledge, use pattern and geographical distribution of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) in Nigeria. J Ethnopharmacol 2013 Nov 25;150(2):682-91
1 clove garlic, chopped
Asiedu-Gyekye IJ, Frimpong-Manso S, Awortwe C et al. Micro- and Macroelemental Composition and Safety Evaluation of the Nutraceutical Moringa oleifera Leaves. J Toxicol. 2014;2014:786979.
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Maldini M, Maksoud SA, Natella F, Montoro P. Petretto GL et al. Moringa oleifera: study of phenolics and glucosinolates by mass spectrometry. Mass Spectrom. 2014 Sep;49(9):900-10.
½ cup of peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter) ½ -1 cup of water Juice of half a lemon 2 tsp tamari soy sauce
Saini RK, Shetty NP, Prakash M, Giridhar P. Effect of dehydration methods on retention of carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity in Moringa oleifera leaves and preparation of a RTE product. J Food Sci Technol. 2014 Sep;51(9):2176-82. Saini RK, Manoj P, Shetty NP, Srinivasan K, Giridhar P. Dietary iron supplements and Moringa oleifera leaves influence the liver hepcidin messenger RNA expression and biochemical indices of iron status in rats. HYPERLINK “http://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25150122”Nutr Res. 2014 Jul;34(7):630-8
2 tsp of BonPom’s moringa leaf powder
Waterman C, Cheng DM, Rojas-Silva P, Poulev A et al. Stable, water extractable isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera leaves attenuate inflammation in vitro. Phytochemistry 2014 Jul;103:114-22.
Salt and pepper to taste
Abd El Latif A, El Bialy Bel S. Mahboub HD, Abd Eldaim MA. Moringa oleifera leaf extract ameliorates alloxan-induced diabetes in rats by regeneration of β cells and reduction of pyruvate carboxylase expression. Biochem Cell Biol. 2014 Oct;92(5):413-9.
Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper and cook for a few minutes. Add the peanut butter, water and lemon juice and stir well to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Add more water if necessary to achieve the desired consistency. Turn off the heat and stir in the tamari and moringa powder. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Jaiswal D, Rai PK, Mehta S, Chatterji S, Shukla S et al. Role of Moringa oleifera in regulation of diabetes-induced oxidative stress. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2013 Jun;6(6):426-32. Sutalangka C, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, Thukham-mee W. Moringa oleifera mitigates memory impairment and neurodegeneration in animal model of age-related dementia. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2013;2013:695936. Kirisattayakul W, Wattanathorn J, Tong-Un T, Muchimapura S et al. Cerebroprotective effect of Moringa oleifera against focal ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2013;2013:951415. Jafarain A, Asghari G, Ghassemi E. Evaluation of cytotoxicity of Moringa oleifera Lam. callus and leaf extracts on Hela cells. Adv Biomed Res. 2014 Sep 23;3:194. Tiloke C, Phulukdaree A, Chuturgoon AA, The anti-proliferative effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. Callus and leaf extracts on Hela cells. BMC Comp. Altern Med 2013 Sep 16;13:226
Serve over grated, steamed or roasted vegetables or use as a dip.
Kooltheat N, Sranujit RP, Chumark P, Potup P et al. An ethyl acetate fraction of Moringa oleifera Lam. Inhibits human macrophage cytokine production induced by cigarette smoke. Nutrients 2014 Feb 18;6(2):697-710.
www.bonpom.com
Berkovich L, Earon G, Ron I, Rimmon A, Vexler A, Lev-Ari S. Moringa Oleifera aqueous leaf extract down-regulates nuclear factor-kappaB and increases cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer cells. BMC Comp. Alt Med. 2013 Aug 19;13:212.
Copyright © 2014 BonPom Ltd. The contents of this newsletter remain the property of BonPom Ltd and may not be reproduced wholey or in part without the express permission of BonPom Ltd.
Das N, Sikder K, Ghosh S, Fromenty B, Dey S. Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract prevents early liver injury and restores antioxidant status in mice fed with high-fat diet. Indian J Exp Biol. 2012 Jun;50(6):404-12.