With an excellent nutritional profile, it is no wonder moringa is hailed as a superfood. Often recommended to boost the quality of life and even combat malnutrition, moringa is prescribed to all walks of life. 

Ancient medicine talks about moringa and its various benefits. Records show warriors were fed moringa to boost immunity and heal faster while royalty consumed moringa to maintain physical and mental health. 

Pregnancy

Moringa works wonders during pregnancy, both while trying to conceive and post-conception. The fear around moringa is to do with the root, bark, and flowers. The root of moringa contains compounds that cause the uterus to contract. Ancient medicine talks about moringa root being used for the contraction of the uterus. It is recommended to be avoided during pregnancy and while trying to conceive. 

Moringa leaves, on the other hand, is chock full of iron, vitamins, and antioxidants. It is also a fantastic caffeine-free alternative to coffee. Incorporating a daily dose of moringa during your pregnancy goes a long way in boosting energy levels and keeping fatigue at bay. 

Pregnancy requires calcium, iron, and folic acid to be prioritized. These three are available in moringa leaves, allowing you to stay well-nourished. Additionally, moringa contains a good amount of fibre and helps in regulating bowel movements. 

Lactation

Moringa has been used through the ages to improve breast milk supply. New mothers in South India are fed moringa leaves stir-fried using pepper, salt, and turmeric. This serves to boost breast milk supply through the components present in the leaves. 

Additionally, it provides a daily dose of essential nutrients for nursing mothers. 

Thyroid

Moringa leaves are often prescribed to maintain healthy levels of thyroid activity. With necessary amounts of Zinc, various vitamins, and Selenium moringa helps optimize thyroid function. Tiredness is a major problem people with thyroid problems face. Moringa helps combat fatigue by regulating the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

However, if taking any medication to treat thyroid problems, please consult your health care provider before consuming moringa as it might lead to adverse reactions. 

Periods, PCOS, and fertility

Animal studies demonstrate that moringa helps in improving fertility with its incredible antioxidant concentration. Further, research indicates that moringa extract helps control and treat Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. 

Taken regularly along with lifestyle modifications and medicines we are confident there will be a marked improvement. Moringa can also be consumed on an everyday basis whether in the form of capsules or powder for general improvement in reproductive health. This goes a long way in regularizing periods as well, with high iron and calcium content. 

How to consume?

It is recommended that about two to ten grams of moringa can be consumed each day. This can be ideally consumed in the form of fresh leaves. Fresh leaves can also be dried and powdered. This powder can be stored for several months and makes for a great addition to dishes. 

If fresh leaves are unavailable, powder or capsules do the job splendidly. Powders especially are highly versatile and can be added to a variety of dishes. They pack quite the nutritional punch and make a great addition to smoothies, salads, and lattes. If you are someone who does not mind the strong earthy taste of moringa, moringa tea is quite the popular brew. Often mixed with slivers of ginger, lemon, and honey, having it first thing in the morning is quite popular.

In several Indian states, fresh moringa leaves and drumsticks are consumed in lentil-based gravies or as stirfries. Moringa powder can also be added to dips such as guacamole, brownie batter, savoury cookies, and more. 

It simply takes a little bit of creativity to incorporate moringa into your everyday diet. 

Or you could simply have a capsule of Moringa each day.