Moringa oleifera may have been unfamiliar to some Americans until recently, but it’s actually been used as a traditional herbal medicine for centuries. In fact, it’s been mentioned in the Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine, one of the world’s oldest medical systems, as a cure for over 300 diseases.
One of the ways to harness the benefits of Moringa is by steeping its leaves in hot water to create an energizing tea that provides a wide array of nutrients. Continue reading this article to learn more about the benefits of Moringa tea, its nutritional profile and the ways you can make it at home.
What Is Moringa Tea?
Moringa tea comes from the leaves of Moringa oleifera, a tree that’s native to the sub-Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but is now commonly grown in various tropical and subtropical areas around the world.
Also known as “horseradish tree” and “drumstick tree,” Moringa has been dubbed as a “miracle tree” because of its potential medicinal properties. It also earned the superfood status, thanks to its extensive nutritional content, which you may still obtain even after brewing its leaves into tea. Some of these nutrients include:
| Vitamin B6 | Iron | Potassium |
| Vitamin C | Riboflavin | Protein |
| Vitamin A | Calcium | Flavonoids (such as quercetin and kaempferol) |
To make Moringa tea, the freshly harvested leaves are dried at room temperature to retain their valuable nutrients before they’re crushed, powdered or shredded into loose pieces. These loose Moringa leaves may be steeped as is or placed into tea bags. In terms of flavor, pure Moringa leaf tea is said to have a slightly “green” or earthy taste, though it lacks the bitterness of kale or spiciness of arugula.
Here Are the Many Health Benefits of Moringa Tea
The health benefits of Moringa oleifera tea are attributed to its rich nutritional profile. A lot of these benefits are not just backed by traditional beliefs, but also are supported by scientific research. To get a better idea of what Moringa tea is good for, check out some of its potential health benefits below:
| Helps fight against free radicals — Moringa is an excellent source of antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin and chlorogenic acid — all of which may help fight the oxidative damage caused by free radicals. |
| Helps improve your gastrointestinal health — Moringa has antibacterial properties, which may help improve your gut flora and ease bacteria-related digestive problems, such as gastritis and ulcer. |
| Helps regulate your blood sugar levels — Studies show that eating 50 grams of Moringa leaves may help lower blood sugar levels of diabetics by up to 21 percent. |
| Helps reduce inflammation — The flavonoids, phenolic acids and isothiocyanates that you can get from Moringa tea are found to be helpful in alleviating inflammation, which can be a precursor to chronic diseases. |
| Helps reduce the effects of arsenic toxicity — According to animal studies, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa may help prevent the health risks caused by long-term exposure to arsenic, a powerful carcinogen that can be obtained from contaminated water and foods. |
| Helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular system — According to MindBodyGreen, Moringa powder may help improve your cardiovascular health, as it assists in curbing plaque formation in the arteries, reducing cholesterol levels and regulating blood lipids. |
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, Moringa tea may also help maintain proper liver function, and may even boost brain function, which can be beneficial against Alzheimer’s disease.
Moringa Tea’s Caffeine Content
One of the known benefits of Moringa tea is its ability to give you a natural boost of energy, just like coffee. But unlike coffee, Moringa tea does not contain any caffeine. It owes its energy-boosting effects to its combination of nutrients, particularly its coenzymes. One of these is NADH, which comes from niacin from B vitamins and is involved in the cells’ energy production.
NADH helps improves brain, heart and muscle function. It has cognitive benefits as well as components that help improve your senses and concentration. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you’ll be pleased to know that you can enjoy Moringa tea without putting yourself at risk of caffeine-related side effects, such as insomnia, jitteriness and anxiety.
