webby, Author at moringacenter.org

Never Try Moringa Without First Knowing the Facts

Moringa is nothing It’s been around for years. This “new” health supplement has actually been used by many cultures for hundreds of years but many still do not know about what is also called “the miracle tree” and “the tree of life.” As a health supplement, a profusion of healing and nutritive properties are attributed to it.

Moringa is said to boost one’s energy level, with healing and disease-preventive properties. It’s supposedly good for a whole range of conditions like depression, diabetes, skin disorders and weakness after exertion. These are just a few of the properties that Moringa has. A few more worth mentioning is its effectiveness in healing ulcers, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, relieving arthritis, correcting sleep disorders and so much more! Moringa is also said to even fight tumor and cancer cell growth.

Is Moringa really everything it is claimed to be? Let’s get the facts straight on Moringa oleifera. Also known as “the drumstick tree,” it grows long pods that look like, well, drumsticks. It is very easy to grow, especially in dry soil. This tree is known to grow in South and Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Africa, and Oceania. In the US, Hawaii seems to have the ideal conditions for its cultivation.

Moringa is also called the “horseradish tree” because its edible roots resemble and are similar in taste to horseradish. Uncooked, Moringa leaves are said to be slightly bitter, spicy and piquant, similar to mustard. When cooked, they are comparable in taste to spinach.

Nutrition-wise, Moringa tops the charts. When we talk about vitamin A, carrots are usually what come to mind as an excellent source. But, gram for gram, Moringa leaves can give 4 times more vitamin A than carrots. And milk has always been the best calcium source, right? Sorry, Moringa has 4 times more calcium than milk. Bananas shrink back in shame when faced with the mighty Moringa, because its potassium content is 3 times higher. Didn’t your mom always tell you that orange juice was rich in vitamin C? Well, yes she wasn’t lying. But Moringa boasts 7 times more vitamin C! And if you’re thinking of having some yogurt for a protein boost, try Moringa instead. Moringa has twice the protein content of yogurt. It is one of the few plants sources of whole or complete protein.

Moringa is said to contain 92 nutrients, 46 antioxidants, 36 anti-inflammatory compounds, and 18 amino acids, 9 of which are essential amino acids. With so many important nutrients and healing elements in Moringa, it’s no wonder it can address a multitude of illnesses.

Moringa actually also has beautifying properties. It is also used in soaps, shampoos, and lotions. Though already know for its use in cooking and as a health supplement, sometimes the properties of its oil is overlooked. It is said that ancient Egyptians left jars of Moringa oil in the pyramids. Even then, it was already highly-prized.

Nowadays, the all the amazing goodness of Moringa can be obtained easily. The testimonies of those who have benefited from this miracle supplement abound. And yet, Moringa remains humble. It simply wants to do its job of healing and nourishing. Get to know Moringa so you won’t miss out on its incredible benefits!

Can Moringa Tree Improve Your Mood?

Feeling blue, don’t want to get out of bed, or you don’t have the energy to face the world? Any of these are bad, and outright depression is even worse.

Anxiety, fatigue, and stress are all things to avoid, although that’s not always possible. Sometimes the reason is clear and it just takes a short while to work through a problem. Other times the reason isn’t so clear and try as you might you can’t make headway, or you don’t even have the energy to give it a good try.

Moringa oleifera might offer some help. Ayurvedic practitioners know that Moringa Tree, as it’s commonly called, can increase energy, lift mood, and inspire a feeling of well-being in many people. That’s not to say that you can expect the same results, especially if you’ve been feeling bad for a long time.

Moringa Tree will also be useful for someone experiencing stress or depression because of poor nutrition. That’s because Moringa Tree provides lots of protein, an array of important vitamins and minerals, and all the essential amino acids.

It’s called a superfood because it offers so many nutrients at high levels.

Even if a nutritional lack isn’t causing your problem, Moringa Tree is worth thinking about as a possible aid to feeling better.

You’re advised to start with your doctor, and that’s mandatory if you’re already taking a prescription medication because Moringa Tree may interact with it and cause you even more problems.

Once you get the go-ahead from your doctor, you have a variety of ways in which to use Moringa. You can use powder or capsule supplements. If you can find them, you can eat the fresh leaves and pods. You can use Moringa oil for cooking as you would use other vegetable oils. And you can drink Moringa tea.

Probably the easiest way to use Moringa is by taking the capsules and drinking tea, especially if you don’t have the energy to cook or to figure out how to incorporate a new food into your diet.

Moringa powder is easy to use because you can add it to smoothies, or stir a little in fruit juice, or sprinkle it on salads or mix it into salad dressing. Moringa tastes somewhat peppery and not everyone likes the taste. If you find that you don’t, use it in smoothies where you also add a little fruit to mask the flavor of the Moringa.

Start slowly. Start with just a small amount, perhaps a scant quarter of a teaspoon, and see what happens. Be aware that Moringa can have a laxative effect, so you don’t want to take any chances. Then, over the course of a couple of days, gradually increase the amount to maybe a teaspoon a day, and according to the directions on the packaging of your product.

It might help to keep a diary of how you’re feeling each day. Sometimes it’s hard to see results, but keeping a record helps you see how your mood might change over time.

Also be aware that taking Moringa isn’t like taking a pill where you might expect a quick fix. Moringa is a food, and its value will be in using its nutrition over time.

Herbs for Weight Loss

If you wander around the shelves of supplements in a natural food store, you’ll notice hundreds of products, many of which are herbs or products with an herb as a main ingredient. It doesn’t take long to understand that herbs can do a lot to support health.

One of those things herbs can do is help you lose weight, although they work in different ways. For example, some herbs, like green tea, will help raise your metabolism. Others, like burdock root act as appetite suppressants.

Some, like bee pollen and Moringa Tree are excellent sources of important nutrients, which helps when you’re dieting.

Using herbs doesn’t mean you can forget dieting or exercising. You’ll still need to do both of those things. But herbal medicine can be a partner in your efforts.

Most herbs are available in a variety of forms. While you can sometimes find fresh herbs, or maybe grow your own, you can also buy most of them in tea, powder, or capsule form.

It’s easy to use herbal capsules, but having also various teas available is sometimes helpful. As you go through the day and feel hungry or want a little something, you can often satisfy yourself with a cup of tea.

Alfalfa

This herb is a diuretic, and it is thought to help digestion.

Bee Pollen

Bee pollen provides good nutrition, and it stimulates metabolism and helps to reduce appetite.

Burdock Root

Burdock root is also an appetite suppressant, and it is known to increase metabolism.

Cha de Burge

This herb is an appetite suppressant and it is thought to reduce deposits of fat.

Caralluma Fimbriata

This herb is known to reduce hunger, and it is also thought to help suppress appetite.

Cardamom

Cardamom is useful in improving most digestion problems.

Chickweed

Chickweed is an appetite suppressant, and it will help you break down fat.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon not only tastes good, but it helps lower bad cholesterol and is effective in balancing blood sugar problems.

Fennel Seed

Besides helping to suppress appetite, fennel is thought to facilitate the elimination fat cells from the digestive system, and it might help your energy levels.

Forskolin

You might try forskolin, a product from the Coleus Forskohlii plant. It helps you convert fat to energy.

Green Tea and Green Tea Extract

Green tea is well known for increasing metabolism.

Licorice Root

If you constantly want to eat sweets, you might try licorice root.

Moringa Tree

We don’t have studies, but people who use it report they eat less food because they feel fuller and are satisfied with less food. Moringa is high in fiber, which might help, and it provides many nutrients so it will feed your body.

Parsley

The humble parsley is a powerhouse. You can easily buy it fresh and use it in many ways. For example, you can add it to soups and mix it with juices such as carrot juice. It packs a nutrition punch and is a diuretic. It also helps in balancing blood sugar.

Seaweed

Most seaweeds provide a variety of minerals, and they also stimulate the thyroid.

How Can You Use Moringa Oleifera?

Often called a superfood, Moringa oleifera, or Moringa Tree, is a vital food in much of tropical Asia and Africa. The tree grows quickly even in poor conditions and the leaves and pods are harvested year round.

People eat the leaves and pods, and make cooking oil from the seeds. Some also eat the seeds, and what remains after making oil can be used for purifying well water.

Moringa Tree is also used as a cosmetic in many areas, for example, it’s an excellent moisturizer, and western pharmacology is researching possible modern uses.

Ayurvedic medicine has used Moringa Tree in treating many health concerns for at least a few thousand years. So practitioners have experience with Moringa Tree, and they routinely use it today. Western researchers are studying Moringa Tree to determine possible uses in this society.

Western health experts now recommend the use of Moringa Tress as a food source and as a nutritional supplement. As an example, many now recommend taking a Moringa Tree supplement, in either powder or capsule form, in place of a multiple vitamin. That’s because Moringa is highly nutritious and it’s a natural food, which means it will be better absorbed and utilized in the body as opposed to synthetic vitamins.

Health experts are also recognizing that Moringa can be useful in treating a variety of conditions. For example, in Ayurvedic medicine Moringa Tree is well known for lowering blood pressure. So if you’d like to lower your blood pressure without taking prescription medication, you might speak to your doctor about trying Moringa Tree. On the flip side, if you already have low blood pressure Moringa Tree isn’t for you.

Health practitioners also recognize that Moringa Tree is useful in lowering cholesterol and stopping the formation of abnormal blood clotting. It also useful in treating diabetes. If you are concerned with any of these issues, you might speak to your doctor about using Moringa Tree, which could lead to helping you feel better and lowering your need for prescription drugs.

Another traditional use for Moringa Tree is in the treatment of asthma and allergies. Moringa Tree acts as an anti-histamine and so can be helpful.

You might also use Moringa Tree to disinfect food areas. It’s well-known for its antibacterial properties, and you can use it directly on cuts and wounds.

As for side effects, those taking a blood thinner should not use Moringa because it’s a blood thickener. If you take prescription medications you should also consult your doctor before using Moringa because it could have interactions with your current meds.

If you do use Moringa, you’re advised to gradually introduce it into your diet. Less than a quarter of a teaspoon would be good as a start. One reason is Moringa has laxative properties and you don’t want to take too much in the beginning or at any one time. About a teaspoon a day is a normal amount, but you should read the label on your supplement.

And even though Moringa has traditionally been used to treat menstrual problems and to improve the nutrition of pregnant and nursing women, these women should also consult their doctors because using Moringa Tree. Some experts suspect Moringa might not be good for infants.

How Losing Weight Can Improve Your Health

Most of us always seem to have a few excess pounds, at least in the gap between one diet and the next. Everyone wants to look good, and most of us fight the good fight to keep weight off.

But if you think about it, instead of dieting to improve your looks, maybe you should consider what excess weight does to our health. You can drop a few pounds, and do it over again if you need to, but a health problem isn’t always that easy to correct.

It’s common sense to maintain a healthy weight for good health, but that’s not quite the same thing as losing weight purposefully in support of better health. Maybe we think we won’t be able to keep the weight off. So we think losing a few pounds won’t make that much difference in the long run.

But it turns out that isn’t true.

With the advent of bariatric surgery, researchers have had good access to people as they lost weight. They’ve studied what happens to overall health as the pounds drop away, and the results should lead anyone to thinking about the benefits of weight loss.

From these studies, it’s not clear that even a small loss can make a difference in health. If you can drop just 10 percent of access weight, you will most likely improve your health.

Here are some of the recent findings on how people have improved their well-being.

Allergies and Asthma

Excess weight stresses the respiratory system, and stresses your ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

Inflammation is a problem in both of these diseases and reduced weight leads to lower inflammation levels in the body. It may have to do with improved nutrition, but pounds make a difference, too.

Foot and Knee Pain

In addition to improvements in arthritic conditions, you can expect to have less foot and knee pain as you lose excess weight. Your feet and knee joints will thank you for lessening the work they do to keep you mobile.

Heart and Vascular Health

Lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol, and an increase in the good HDL cholesterol are just a few of the changes you can expect in heart health by losing weight.

Memory

Studies have shown that compared to control groups people at a normal weight have better memories. How? Who knows, but it happens.

Sleep

Losing weight helps people get better sleep, and it’s been specifically shown to decrease sleep apnea.

Sex Appeal and Sexual Satisfaction

We all want to be admired by the object of our affection, but losing weight really will do more for your love life than just improve the way you look. In one study men with 30 extra pounds were tested to be about 10 years older than their actual chronological age as judged by their testosterone levels.

And here again studies show that losing just 10 percent of body weight results in higher levels of sexual satisfaction. So if need a reason to put effort into weight loss, here it is!

Type 2 Diabetes

Problems with blood sugar are more common among overweight people, but what you need to know is that many people who’ve lost significant weight have been able to reverse a problem with Type 2 Diabetes.

How to Win the Weight Loss War

Are you struggling to lose a few pounds, never mind worrying about keeping them off, and feel like you aren’t making progress?

You’re not alone. Many people have this problem. Health experts who study the problem think that weight management in today is more complicated than counting calories or exercising until you drop.

What’s different about weight, and weight loss, in today’s world, different from what our parents experienced, is that while we may eat and exercise the same, we tend to weigh almost 10 percent more.

How is that possible? Maybe the experts don’t have all the facts. Maybe we are eating more and exercising less, but health experts don’t think so.

One reason they give is that our hormones are impacted by a variety of environmental factors. Science has a name for these, endocrine disruptors. They could be anything from pesticides to preservatives added to food. This seems to lead to lowered metabolism.

Health experts have also discovered that it’s more difficult for obese people to lose weight. In other words, the more you need to lose the more difficult it seems to be.

What can you do if you need and want to lose weight and it isn’t happening? Experts recommend that you don’t try a fad diet, and they recommend that you don’t jump from one diet plan to another in an effort to gain results.

It seems the best thing you can do is to evolve a healthy way of eating that you can stick to in the long run, and then have patience that over time you will see results.

Eat as much fresh, natural, and unprocessed food as possible. This isn’t necessarily easy because it means more trips to the grocery store, and it takes more food preparation time, but it’s worth it to protect your weight and ultimately your health.

Pay attention to your surroundings. For example, use glass containers for food instead of plastic wrap. And think about your home. For example, do you use chemical air fresheners? Take a trip to the library and you’ll find lots of information on how to live with fewer pollutants.

You also need exercise. If you don’t exercise, you need to start. If you do exercise, maybe it’s time to change your routine. In either case, pick something you enjoy doing. And maybe find an exercise buddy, which might help you stay motivated.

Finally, you need an attitude adjustment, or what you might call an expectation adjustment. You need to change your idea of what weight loss means for you and what you call success.

For example, say you want to lose 20 pounds, and you’ve tried hard for two weeks and only lost two pounds. Maybe it’s time to change your goals so that you plan smaller increments of weight loss. Maybe those two pounds are actually a good result for your situation.

The point here is to honor what you did achieve and to keep going. And over time you might find ways to tweak your diet and your exercise plan to make them more effective, but that will only happen if you don’t give up.

Is Moringa Oleifera for You?

Moringa Tree, as it’s more commonly known, is found everywhere in tropical Asia and Africa. What’s of particular interest about this tree is that the leaves and pods are edible. Yes, Moringa Tree is an edible, or mostly editable, tree.

And what’s even more interesting is that Moringa Tree is an excellent source of nutrition, maybe one of the best, a superfood. It’s been an important food source for at least two thousand years in India and in many African countries. The leaves, pods, and oil from the seeds are commonly eaten. Moringa Tree provides excellent protein, is packed with vitamins and minerals, and loaded with all the essential amino acids.

For example, the leaves provide vitamin C and beta-carotene, protein, vitamin B6 and riboflavin, calcium, potassium, and iron. While the leaves are more nutritious than the pods, one serving of the pods contains more than a day’s supply of vitamin C.

The dried leaves are used to produce supplements, which you can find in natural foods stores or on the Internet in powder or capsule form. And you might also see Moringa Tree as an ingredient in other supplements.

If your local grocery doesn’t happen to carry Moringa Tree leaves or pods, you could grow your own tree, assuming you have a large area available. That’s because the trees grow quickly, although you would probably want to keep yours trimmed to facilitate harvesting the leaves and pods.

Otherwise you can get Moringa oleifera in supplement form. But why would you consider supplementation?

Moringa Tree has been shown to be of benefit for a variety of health concerns. It helps lower cholesterol, reduces higher than normal blood sugar levels, and decreases inflammation by fighting free radicals. So if you’re tired of oatmeal, or your doctor said you need to watch your blood sugar, or if you’re experiencing stiff finger joints as you age, you might consider Moringa Tree as a possible remedy.

Studies also show that Moringa Tree may also protect against the effects of arsenic in food or water. Contamination is a problem in some areas of the world, and rice grown in contaminated areas is sometimes found to contain arsenic. Arsenic contamination is not necessarily a problem in this country as you would need to consume such food or water for a long period before experiencing problems. But it seems that a little Moringa Tree couldn’t hurt.

If you are thinking of adding Moringa Tree supplements your diet, be aware that the supplements don’t typically provide the same nutrition as the whole food, so read the label before you decide.

You also need to know that Moringa Tree is an anti-nutrient, meaning it’s a food that may interfere with your body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients. You might have heard similar things about spinach and kale, that spinach has oxalates and that eating too much kale could interfere with nutrient absorption.

Although it sounds serious, this probably isn’t something you need to worry about, either. First, you’d need to eat a lot of the anti-nutrient food, in this case Moringa Tree leaves or pods. Second, you can decrease the possibility of an anti-nutrient problem by cooking the food. One study found, for example, that boiling Moringa Tree leaves is a good way to limit the anti-nutrient quality of the leaves.

Is Moringa Tree a Perfect Food?

Moringa oleifera, or Moringa Tree, is in the news because of its superior nutrition, and because of its many uses in Ayurvedic medicine and interest from medical researchers in western countries. It’s even called a superfood, but is it a perfect food? Should everyone eat Moringa Tree? Or does it come with side effects?

Well, you want to avoid Moringa Tree root unless you’re under the care of a doctor, but most of the rest of the tree is edible. Eating too much of the root could cause paralysis, even death, so stay away from it. The leaves are especially nutritious, and the pods have lots of vitamin C. Moringa oil is highly prized for cooking and as a moisturizer. Moringa is also available as a tea.

Pregnant women need to be aware that eating the roots, bark, or flowers can bring on uterine contractions, possibly leading to miscarriage, and some experts think Moringa might not be safe for infants. So if you’re pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor before ingesting Moringa Tree, and before using the oil on your skin.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, be advised some researchers suspect that Moringa Tree might interfere with fertility. If this is your situation, you’re advised to speak with your doctor.

Don’t ingest Moringa if you’re taking blood thinning medication because Moringa is a blood thickener. Another important medicinal property or Moringa is that it lowers blood pressure, so if you already have low blood pressure your doctor will most likely advise against Moringa Tree.

Health experts also suggest that you talk to your doctor before taking Moringa Tree if you are using any other prescription medications because Moringa could have a negative interaction with your drug.

And some data suggests that Moringa may decrease white blood cells, which among other things could lead to bleeding gums. So if you have a concern in this area, talk to your doctor before using Moringa.

Next is something to keep in mind for a time when you might need it. One of the qualities of Moringa is it has a laxative effect, with the likelihood of this increases along with the amount you ingest, and especially if your body isn’t accustomed to the food. You could also experience gas, diarrhea, or heart burn.

Some health practitioners suggest cooking Moringa to avoid heart burn, for example cooking the leaves as you might cook spinach and cooking the pods as you would green beans. But most advise against cooking with the powder because cooking decreases nutritional value.

As with most other green supplements and superfoods, Moringa Tree powder has a strong taste and is potent. The taste is reminiscent of radish and is not for everyone, particularly if you ingest a lot at one time. It might cause you to feel slightly nauseous.

Many of these possible side effects, like diarrhea or heart burn, can probably be avoided by starting with a small amount of Moringa, possibly as little as a fourth of a teaspoon, and gradually increasing the amount over a few days.

Lose Weight Fast, But Safely

Are you wondering how fast is fast, and how slow do you have to go to be safe?

Almost everyone wants results fast. Let’s face it, being on a diet is no fun. Besides, you probably have a specific reason for wanting the pounds off and you want to get on with it.

So what’s wrong with a fad diet if it works?

What’s wrong is it usually doesn’t work, at least not in the long run, you know, when you start eating like other people again. The truth is you don’t need a fad diet.

The key is to find a way to lose weight quickly, but to support your body with good nutrition while you’re doing it. That way, once you achieve your weight goal you’ll not only have lost the pounds, but you’ll have the basics of new eating habits to help keep you at your new weight.

So what is this new way of eating?

First, you need to eliminate processed and empty calorie foods from your diet. For example, you really don’t need white bread and sugary desserts. Maybe at some point in the future you can reward yourself with a treat you especially like, if you must, but your day-to-day food habits need to eliminate these foods.

Second, you need to eat unprocessed food and emphasize veggies and low-sugar fruits, and get plenty of lean protein. And you need to stay hydrated, so eliminate calories from sugary drinks and drink plenty of water throughout the day. For a change of pace, try fancy bottled water, but make water your drink of choice.

Look online, visit a book store, or head to the library and you’ll notice that several health experts have books available on healthy weight loss. Make sure the books you review are from health experts, not fad diet experts. When you see a plan that seems to fit the way you live, give it a try. What do you have to lose?

The bad news for some people is that you’ll need to exercise as well. Our bodies are made to move. Movement helps us establish and maintain an ideal weight, and it helps us stay healthy.

But the good news about movement is that you can move in ways you enjoy. You don’t need to do any specific exercise. Pick something you enjoy!

Some people like to dance, some like to jump around, some like aerobics, and some like yoga. It doesn’t matter how you move; it just matters that you move.

Visit the library again and get a feel for available programs. Or maybe your work has an exercise benefit. It couldn’t hurt to look into it. Who knows, you might just lose some weight and improve your health.

Finally, weight loss experts report that many dieters are successful because they not only change the way they eat and exercise, but they also keep a food journal. A journal is a way to track what you eat and how you feel. Over time you might spot emotional eating patterns that are interfering with weight.

To lose weight, and to keep it off, you’ll need to be sure you’re eating for fuel, and not eating to try and fill an emotional need. That may sound difficult, but often it’s a matter of noticing a pattern, of becoming aware of it, because then you can make a change.

Moringa Oleifera for Breakfast?

Yes, it’s for any meal, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You get big a nutritional punch to your diet by adding Moringa oleifera, or, as it’s more commonly known, Moringa Tree.

Never heard of it? If you grew up in Asia or Africa you might know it by one of its other English names, like Drumstick tree, because the pods are long, or Horseradish tree, because the leaves have a slightly peppery flavor.

Moringa Tree grows most everywhere in the tropics and has been valued for at least two thousand years as a food source, and also for its ability to treat a large number of diseases. It’s now being thought of as a superfood. You can use the leaves much as you would spinach, and you can eat the pods, cooking them as you would green beans. You can also buy Moringa Tree oil, which is processed from the seeds. The oil is used for cooking and eating, and you can use it on your skin as a moisturizer. The oil is valuable because it doesn’t tend to go rancid.

If you can’t find fresh Moringa, you can buy Moringa Tree in powder or capsule form at natural food stores or on the Internet. Moringa tea is also available. Keep in mind that even if you’re buying Moringa in supplement form, it’s a food. It isn’t meant to be a quick, one-time fix for what ails you. But used over time, it can greatly enhance your health.

As with other green supplements, start slowly. Most experts suggest starting with a quarter of a teaspoon or so for a couple of days. If that agrees with you, gradually add a little more over a few days and see how you feel. A teaspoon or so is a good amount in a day, but check the label of the product you buy. If you don’t like the taste, try capsules.

Why start slowly? If you aren’t accustomed to Moringa Tree, you might feel some nausea. Or Moringa can have a laxative effect, depending on how your body responds to it and on much you ingest.

Smoothies are a good way to use Moringa because if you don’t like the taste you can hide it by adding fruit. Sprinkle Moringa on salads and other dishes, or add it to juices. Most experts suggest not cooking with Moringa powder because cooking reduces the nutritional value. So sprinkle it on just before you eat.

Cooking the leaves as you might cook spinach is a common practice. Or you can use the leaves in a salad. Cook the pods as you would green beans.

Most herbal and natural food remedies come with the warning to your doctor before using them. If you haven’t tried Moringa Tree, that’s not bad advice, although Moringa is safe for most people. Moringa is counter indicated if you take a blood thinning medication because Moringa is a blood thickener.

Some traditional practitioners use Moringa to nourish pregnant and nursing women, and to help increase breast milk, but other health experts warn that Moringa might not be safe for infants. So if you’re pregnant or nursing, you’re also advised to talk to your doctor.