10 Powerful Health Benefits Of Moringa Powder + How To Use It (2024)

Meetmoringaoleifera. In its nativeIndiaandNepal, it's known as "drumstick tree," "miracle tree," and "tree of life"; today it's also grown inAfrica, Latin America, and Asia and also goes by the "horseradish tree."

Moringapowder, made from the leaves of themoringatree1, has a number of science-backed benefits and medicinal uses.

Thissuperfoodhas been used as a traditional remedy in phytomedicine and ayurvedic healing for thousands of years.

Here are the 10 besthealth benefits of moringa oleifera, plus our favorite ways to add this super green to your diet:

Many of the healthy foods you eat have a single standout nutrient. Think carrots andvitamin A, citrus andvitamin C, nuts and vitamin E.In fact, the leaves are more concentrated invitamin C2 than oranges. That means moringacan contribute to everything from better vision and immunity to bone health and skin radiance.

Moringaleavesstick out as asuperfoodbecause one cup of chopped leaves has notable amounts of:

Whether you're a vegetarian or just trying to cut down on meat, it's not always easy finding convenient plant-based protein.

Sure, there are lentils and tempeh, but sometimes you just want a quick, no-cook add-in to sprinkle on smoothiebowls or add to soup.

That's where moringa comes in. Powders made from its crushed leaves are packed with protein—3 grams of protein per tablespoon, in fact—and have a leg up on legumes because they contain all the essential amino acids3, necessary for muscle repair, energy production, and mood regulation.

Stress can skew your sex life. It can throw hormone levels off, spiking cortisol and decreasing dopamine to lower libido.

In animal studies,moringahas not only been shown to bring down cortisol levels4, but it may also naturally boost testosterone levels, a known sex drive5 supporter.

In one study,moringaextract worked to enhance sexual performance6 in stressed rats by suppressing cortisol and increasing testosterone.

Menopause can throw women's hormones out of whack—and make them feel off, butmoringamay help.

A study published in theJournal of Food and Science Technology found that postmenopausal women who took a combination of moringa leaf powderand amaranthleaf powder7for three months not only had decreased markers ofoxidative stress, but they also had better fasting blood glucose and increased hemoglobin levels, which could mean more balanced hormones.

Think of your liver as the body's detoxifier. It filters the blood, detoxifies chemicals, and metabolizes fat—andmoringamay help it work better.

Free radicals12are created by things like pollution, fried food, and sun exposure. They damage your cells by robbing them of an electron, causingoxidative stress, cell damage, and premature aging.

The antidote: antioxidants, like the flavonoids,polyphenols, and ascorbic acid found inmoringa2. A diet rich in antioxidants has been shown to prevent premature wrinkles and possibly make you live longer13.

Spikes in insulin andblood sugar levelscan cause mood swings and sugar cravings and even lead to the development oftype 2 diabetes and obesity. Entermoringa.

Oneclinical study16 also showed therapeutic antioxidant propertiesas well as lower fasting glucose levels in postmenopausal women who took a supplement withmoringa, and amaranth, leaves for three months.

Moringaleafpowdercontains about 30% fiber18, most of it insoluble, something you not only need for digestion but that may also reduce your risk of disease.

Moringais a natural antibiotic and antibacterial and may help inhibit the growth of various pathogens19 that can cause digestive upset.

Moringa'santi-inflammatorypropertieshave been shown to help with digestive disorders, like colitis19; plus, a recent study in mice found that it may improve gut bacteria20.

It's estimated that worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias.Moringaleafis high in vitamins C and E, which combat theoxidative stress21 associated with Alzheimer's.

Animal studies of both Alzheimer's22 and dementia23 are showing promising results. More good news:Moringahas also been linked to increased dopamine23 and serotonin24 ("happy hormones"), and with more research, it could possibly be used to help treat depression25 in the future.

You'll also want to stay clear of moringaseedsandmoringaseedextractconsumption, as they have shown a level of toxicity in immune cells.

Moringacan also have a laxative side effect when consumed in large quantities or lead to stomach upset, so we suggest starting with a small dose—½ to 1 teaspoon per day.

Made from dried and groundmoringaleaves, the powder has a mild flavor with a slightly earthy taste, so it works well with many different recipes.

Moringa Oleifera has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and has been associated with numerous benefits.

And while there is plenty of recent research1 to back the benefits above, like all supplements, moringa isn't regulated by the FDA27 and more research is needed to determine whether it is safe to consume regularly.

We always recommend considering a doctor's guidance before making any health-related decisions.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on December 7, 2015. A previous version of this article indicated that moringa leaf powder can reduce liver fibrosis. We have since clarified that statement to indicate that preliminary research in animal studies has shown that consuming moringa reduced symptoms of liver fibrosis. A previous version of this article indicated that moringa leaf powder can improve thyroid health. We have since clarified that statement to indicate that preliminary research on moringa for thyroid health is mixed.