Moringa

Related Terms

1,3-Dibenzyl urea, 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-O-(6'-O-oleoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-sitosterol, 4-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzylglucosinolate, 4(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)-benzyl isothiocyanate, 4(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)phenylacetonitrile, 4-[(2'-O-acetyl-alpha-l-rhamnosyloxy) benzyl]isothiocyanate, 4-[(4'-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]isothiocyanate, 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1-->4-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)-benzyl thiocarboxamide, 4-hydroxyphenyl-acetamide, 4-hydroxyphenylacetontrile, 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, al-Ban, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-tocopherol, al-yassar, aromatic glucosinolates, ascorbic acid oxidase, aurantiamide acetate, ben-oil tree, benzaldehyde 4-O-beta-glucoside, benzoic acid 4-O-alpha-rhamnosyl-(1-->2)-beta-glucoside, benzoic acid 4-O-beta-glucoside, benzolive tree, benzyl glucosinolate, benzyl isothiocyanate, benzylamine, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Br, Brassicales (order), caffeic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, calcium, chlorogenic acid, cis-11-eicosenoic acid, Cl, cleansing tree, Co, Cr, Cu, cytokinins, des-sulphoglucosinolate, drumstick tree, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, fumaric acid, gallic acid, gamma-tocopherol, gergedi (Nigeria), glucoconringiin, glucosinolates, Go-Lacta?, halleko, hausa tree, heteropolysaccharide, horseradish tree, iron, isobutyl isothiocyanate, kaempferide 3-O-(2'',3''-diacetylglucoside), kaempferide 3-O-(2''-O-galloylrhamnoside), kaempferide 3-O-(2''-O-galloylrutinoside)-7-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kaempferol, kaempferol 3-O-(6''-malonyl-glucoside), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-[alpha-rhamnosyl-(1-->2)]-[alpha-rhamnosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-glucoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-[beta-glucosyl-(1-->2)]-[alpha-rhamnosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-glucoside-7-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-glucoside, kaempferol glycosides, kaempferol rhamnoglucoside, kelor, la mu, lectin, LI85008F, lutein, Madhuca latifolia, malunggay, marango, methyl N-4-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy) benzyl carbamate, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, mkimbo, mlonge (Tanzania), mlongo, Mn, moonga, Moringa aptera, Moringa concanensis, Moringa oleifera, Moringa peregrina, Moringa pterygosperma, Moringa stenopetala, Moringaceae (family), moringine, mother's best friend, mronge, mrongo, mucilages, mulangay, munga, mzungu, mzunze (Kenya), natalac, nebeday, neoxanthin, never die tree, Ni, niazimicin, niaziminin A, niaziminin B, niazirin, niazirinin, O-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(2"-heptenyloxy)]-propyl undecanoate, O-ethyl-4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl carbamate, oleic acid, O-(rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl glucosinolate, p-cymene, phosphorus, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, phytic acid, potassium, procyanidin, Prolacta?, pterygospermin, quercetin, quercetin glucosides, quercetin-3-O-(6''-malonyl-glucoside), quercetin 3-O-beta-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoglucoside (rutin), radish tree, rutin, saijhan (Hindi), sajna, selenium, Shigru (Sanskrit), S-methyl-N-{4-[(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl]}thiocarbamate, spirochin, Sr, surjana, syringic acid, Ti, vaccenic acid, vanillin, violaxanthin, vitamin A, vitamin C, West Indian ben., zeatin, zeatin nucleotide, zeatin riboside, zeaxanthin, zinc, zogale (Nigeria).
Note: This review covers several different species of Moringa, including Moringa aptera, Moringa oleifera, Moringa stenopetala, Moringa peregrina, Moringa pterygosperma, and Moringa concanensis.

Background

Moringa has been used in a variety of industrial, folkloric, dietary, and medicinal practices. For cooking, moringa has been used as a frying oil and food seasoning and has been eaten as part of curries and salads. Due to its many healthy components, moringa has also been used as a nutritional supplement. Such components include amino acids, antioxidants, fat, minerals, protein, and vitamins. Moringa is thought to contain more vitamin C than oranges, more potassium than bananas, more iron than spinach, and more protein and calcium than milk.
The use of moringa in traditional medicine reportedly dates back to ancient times. In spite of the many historical uses of moringa, high-quality research on its proposed health benefits is currently lacking. Limited research in humans suggests that moringa may be used to treat asthma, malnutrition, and lack of vitamin A, and to purify water. In other research, moringa leaf was shown to increase breast milk production in the early period after childbirth. Further research is needed in these areas.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Moringa leaf has been used traditionally to promote breast milk production. Products such as Natalac, Go-Lacta?, and Prolacta? have been studied for this use. In human research, moringa leaf was shown to increase breast milk production in the early period after childbirth. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

 B


Moringa leaf has been used traditionally to promote breast milk production. Products such as Natalac, Go-Lacta?, and Prolacta? have been studied for this use. In human research, moringa leaf was shown to increase breast milk production in the early period after childbirth. More studies are needed to confirm these results.

 B


Limited research suggests that seed kernels from Moringa oleifera may be used for the treatment of bronchial asthma. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that seed kernels from Moringa oleifera may be used for the treatment of bronchial asthma. Further research is needed in this area.

 C


According to early research, Moringa oleifera leaf powder taken together with ground soybeans and peanuts may increase the weight of underweight children. Further research into the effects of Moringa alone is needed in this area.

 C


According to early research, Moringa oleifera leaf powder taken together with ground soybeans and peanuts may increase the weight of underweight children. Further research into the effects of Moringa alone is needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that Moringa oleifera may improve vitamin A deficiency, and increase the availability of beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor. When combined with nutritional counseling, Moringa oleifera may be used as a replacement for synthetic vitamin A supplements in children. More high-quality studies are needed in this area.

 C


Limited research suggests that Moringa oleifera may improve vitamin A deficiency, and increase the availability of beta-carotene, a vitamin A precursor. When combined with nutritional counseling, Moringa oleifera may be used as a replacement for synthetic vitamin A supplements in children. More high-quality studies are needed in this area.

 C


Moringa oleifera has shown opposing effects for water purification. Although moringa has been shown to lower bacteria levels initially, this effect appears to disappear over time. As well, moringa lacked any benefits compared to chlorine, an agent commonly used to purify water. Although promising, further research is needed in this area.

 C


Moringa oleifera has shown opposing effects for water purification. Although moringa has been shown to lower bacteria levels initially, this effect appears to disappear over time. As well, moringa lacked any benefits compared to chlorine, an agent commonly used to purify water. Although promising, further research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Factors such as age and health may affect the amount of Moringa prescribed to different people.
For asthma, three grams of dry, powdered Moringa oleifera seed kernel has been taken by mouth twice daily for three weeks.
As a breast milk stimulant, the following has been taken by mouth: a moringa capsule (commercial preparation containing 250 milligrams of moringa leaves) every 12 hours on days 3 to 5 after childbirth; 2 moringa capsules (Prolacta?, 350 milligrams per capsule) 3 times daily until ? 3 days before delivery.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Moringa may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Moringa may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Moringa may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Moringa may also interact with acetaminophen, agents that affect blood pressure, agents that affect the heart, agents that affect the kidneys, agents that affect the immune system, agents that affect the nervous system, agents that affect the stomach, agents that are toxic to the liver, agents used to increase breast milk, antiarsenic agents, antiasthma drugs, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antifungals, antiparasitics, antivirals, aspirin, carbon tetrachloride, chelating agents (chemical agents that bind metal particles), drugs that reduce eye clouding, fertility agents, inflammation-lowering agents, lipid-lowering agents, mosquito repellants, pain-relievers, penicillin, pentobarbitone, radiation therapy, rifampin, scopolamine, spasm-reducing agents, testosterone, thyroid hormones, tuberculosis treatments, urine-promoting agents, and wound-healing agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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