Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsDosageInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Dosage
Interactions
Moringa may have benefits for healing wounds, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart and gut health. In addition, studies have looked at whether it can help manage conditions such as asthma, edema, and diabetes. However, more research is needed to confirm these health benefits.
Moringa comes from theMoringa oleiferatree in India. The tree’s leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers have long been used in traditional medicine throughout South Asia andSoutheast 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.
In the United States, the FDA does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), Consumer Labs, or NSF, and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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Research on the potential health benefits of moringa is limited.
Supplement Facts
1. May Help Control Blood Sugar
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.
2. May Promote 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 ananimal study, it is not known whether these effects would translate to humans.
3. May Reduce Edema
The oil from moringa seeds may help reduce fluid accumulation, known asedema. 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.
4. Has Antibacterial Properties
A laboratory study found that extract from the moringa leaf had antibacterial properties againstStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia 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.
5. May Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects
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.
6. May Help Lower 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.
7. May Have Heart Protective Effects
A number of studies have looked into moringa’s effect onheart health. One animal study found that N,α-L-rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide, an alkaloid extracted from moringa leaves, had cardioprotective effects.
8. May Reduce Cholesterol and Weight
A review of studies noted that 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.
9. May Protect Against Eye Damage
Animal studies suggest that the extract of moringa leaves may help preventcataracts. 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.
10. May Improve Gut 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.
11. May Promote 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-alcoholicfatty liver disease. Again, however, it’s worth noting that animal studies don’t always translate well to human beings.
12. May Have Neuroprotective Effects
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.
13. May Help Protect the Kidneys
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.
14. May Improve Asthma Symptoms
Some studies in humans have found that moringa seed may help reduce the severity ofasthma 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.
15. May Help Manage Mental Health
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.
16. May Have Anticancer Properties
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.
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 worsenhemochromatosis. 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.
Who Should Not Take Moringa?
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.
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.
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:
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 potentialinteractions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Summary
Moringa comes from theMoringa oleiferatree in India.Moringa oleiferaleaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, and flowers have been used in traditional medicine throughout Southeast Asia.
Moringa has been studied for potential health benefits, including controlling blood sugar, promoting wound healing, and reducing edema. However, it’s too soon to recommend moringa for certain health-related purposes.
As a supplement, it is often found in capsule, powder, and extract forms. The dried pods and seeds are also available.
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.
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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