Moringa is one of the things I added when healing my perioral dermatitis naturally.
Moringa
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I was first introduced to Moringa during the summer of 2014.
From April – November, we go to our local Farmers’ Market every single Saturday. Opening day is like Christmas, closing day like a funeral. We love our daily Saturday ritual there because we know so many of the farmers now, and we love knowing where our food comes from.
I have a few favorite stands, and one of them is my predominantly Asian-cooking food stand. Whenever I see a green vegetable or herb I have not yet tried, I ask the girls about it. I then take it home, figure out how to cook it and report back to them. They were the first stand there to have Moringa.
At the time, it was kind of a secret herb. I’d hear people ask if they had any, and when they said, “Yes,” they also said, “we have only a few back here, and if you want one it will be $3.”
Buying My First Moringa
Back in the summer of 2014, I listened to that for a couple of weeks whileI admired the leafy, abundant green. I’d go home and do research (I had to Google it several times because when they say it, it sounds like, “Molinga,” which I called it for a very long time.)
It didn’t take long before I began thinking about how I needed some of this plant in my life. Shortly after, I returned, bought a bunch of Moringa and I have never looked back.
What Is Moringa?
The Moringa Tree is,
often called the “the miracle tree” or the “tree of life.”
In the Philippines, they call it a “mother’s best friend.” In Senegal, it’s the “never die tree.”
Every part of the tree is edible. It contains pods, leaves, seeds and roots.
A drought-resistant plant, it is highly sustainable. It “commonly tops 3 m — or even 5 m –within a year of the seed being placed in the ground. This tree is raised for food rather than forestry. And beyond edibles, it provides products that make village life more self-sufficient: lubricating oil, lamp oil, wood, paper, liquid fuel, skin treatments, and the means to help purify water, to name but a few.” (source)
According to Mercola, it is loaded with:
- 9 times the protein of yogurt
- 10 times the vitamin A of carrots
- 15 times the potassium of bananas
- 17 times the calcium of milk
- 12 times the vitamin C of oranges
- 25 times the iron of spinach
Moringa is Healing
Moringa offers many healing benefits, which is the prime reason I have incorporated it as often as possible. Here are some of them:
- treat inflammation
- treat infectious disorders
- aid in digestive functioning
- improve liver function
- enhance milk flow in nursing mothers
- reducing high blood pressure
- eliminating water weight
- lowering cholesterol
- help regulate thyroid function
Sources: The Healing Powers of Moringa, The 6 Benefits of Moringa and Why Moringa is the New Superfood You Need to Know About
What Do You Do With Moringa?
I enjoy sprinkling the leaves over most everything. To get even more of a boost, I grind it into a powder form (so that I can consume more).
Here’s how I do it:
- I buy the Moringa leaves at the Farmers’ Market
- Then, I bring them home and lay them out to dry in a cool area, as it does not like to be hot. (You must make sure they don’t have any water on them or the moisture will get trapped while drying and mold.)
- They will become dried out about 1.5-2 weeks later.
- Crunch the leaves of the stems, and place them a grinder.
- Grind into a powder.
- Store in a sealed glass jar.
- Sprinkle liberally over anything and everything.
I love adding Moringa into the “batter” for my homemade bread recipe. It’s also easy to sprinkle over salads and also add to your chia pudding base.
Purchasing Moringa
I realize that not everyone can make their own Moringa powder. It’s widely available to purchase today.
Check out two Moringa brands I like: THIS Moringa and THIS Moringa.
Moringa is not going anywhere. In fact, I think it’s going to become the “next big thing.”
Have you ever had it?
p.s. Moringa is a plant, but because of how I use it, I think of it like an herb. I’ve loved herbs and spices for a very long time. I use them in hundreds of ways. I have a Pinterest Board dedicated to them.
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Xox,
SKH
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I just googled Moringa and it turns out its something that I grew up eating! We call it “kalamungay” (Filipino). I hated it growing up because my mom and grandma put it in EVERYTHING! Who knew it was so good for you!
That is super cool!
Not all moringa is created equal!! There are many different varieties and species!! Plus leaves only contain about 20%of the nutrients the plant actually provides!! If your looking for moringa, Zija is the only place you can get it and know your getting the best and all of what the tree provides for nutrition!!!
Im not sure where to find the plant/live form. If I were to purchase powder form, what would be the brand you’d recommend?
Hi, Machelle! Terrasoul is a good brand:) -> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013KP50PQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=agugi-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B013KP50PQ&linkId=6fc6c12dfb1f308cd70f042149676904
I have dermatitis and looking for a cure.
I was wondering, how much in amount do I add moringa in anything? for ex, in a smoothie? To get the vital nutrients?
Hi! Everyone has different needs. I typically use about a tsp, but check the nutrition label to determine how much you might need.
Wow you just HAD to include the part where the Asian people kind enough to sell it to you couldn’t pronounce it though, didn’t you? Low-key back-handed racist comment BTW! Totally unnecessary mention in regards to explaining the benefits of moringa but your racist ass had to point it out in order to make fun of them! Stupid racist bitch…
I am approving this comment on my blog, but only because when I tried emailing you, it bounced. Go figure. It wasn’t that they couldn’t pronounce, but that I couldn’t understand what it was called. They were my favorite stand; I talked to and bought from them every single week. And for the record, my aunt and Godmother is one of my favorite people on Earth. She is Vietnamese. I have three children; they are all African American. So please, don’t ever leave such a rude, disgusting, and thoughtless comment here again. Best wishes.
When you say “Every part of the Moringa Tree is edible. Its contains pods, leaves, seeds and roots.”
I found contradicting information on on webmd:
“Moringa is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth and used appropriately. The leaves, fruit, and seeds might be safe when eaten as food. However, it’s important to avoid eating the root and its extracts. These parts of the plant may contain a toxic substance that can cause paralysis and death. Moringa has been used safely in doses up to 6 grams daily for up to 3 weeks.” source: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1242/moringa
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