Moringa Benefits For Women

Being a woman is tough, especially as we get older.

With changes in hormones, a decrease in energy, and an increase in the risk of developing certain conditions, getting older is no walk in the park.

Besides adjustments in diet and lifestyle, there may be other complementary alternatives to medicine that can help solve some of those womanly woes, such as moringa.

Discover the amazing moringa benefits for women! In this article, our nutritionist shares insights on how moringa can improve women’s health and wellness.

What Is Moringa?

Moringa Oleifera is a famous medicinal plant derived from North India. It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions.

Various species of moringa can also be found in Asia, Africa, and South America. It is widely cultivated for its nutraceutical properties and is commonly used as a supplement or alternative to medicine.

Moringa goes by many names including the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the horseradish tree, and the ben oil tree. 13 different varieties of moringa have been used for their medicinal properties but moringa oleifera is the only one that is widely cultivated outside of its natural habitat.

Moringa has been used for thousands of years for its supposed anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-depressant properties.

All parts of the moringa plant can be used for medicinal purposes as herbal medicines. Some parts of the world even use moringa in their cuisine, consuming the pods and leaves. (Source)

Nutritional Benefits Of Moringa

Moringa is not just popular for its medicinal properties. This plant is also incredibly nutritious.

Supplement companies have started capitalizing on the health benefits associated with this powerful herb and moringa powder, tablets, and capsules have become a popular choice for health enthusiasts and average consumers alike and it’s easy to see why.

The leaves of the moringa tree are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. One serving (about 1 cup of chopped leaves) contains a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, and iron.

You can also consume the pods of the moringa tree however, these are not as nutrient-rich as the leaves apart from vitamin C.

One serving of moringa pods contains over 150% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C, a reference guide for nutrients to consume (or not exceed) each day. The % DV helps you determine what foods contain a good amount of certain nutrients and can be found on standard food labels as a helpful resource. (Source)

It should be noted, however, that moringa is also rich in phytates, also referred to as anti-nutrients. Phytates can inhibit the absorption of various nutrients including iron, zinc, and calcium.

These compounds are also present in grains, seeds, legumes, and nuts. Although they inhibit absorption, moringa, along with other foods that contain phytates, can still be a healthy addition to your diet. (Source)

Additionally, moringa leaves are a rich source of antioxidant compounds, specifically vitamin C, beta carotene, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid.

Antioxidants are natural substances found in plant foods that protect your cells against free radicals. These compounds provide protective benefits that may play a role in the prevention of various conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. (Source)(Source)(Source)

For example, the antioxidant quercetin is believed to help reduce blood pressure in those with hypertension while chlorogenic acid may help with blood sugar management following meals to help improve insulin resistance. (Source)(Source)

Research has found the moringa plant also contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds, such as isothiocyanates, which can be found in the leaves, pods, and seeds.

Although the research on its anti-inflammatory effects is promising, most studies have been conducted on animals and further human trials are still needed. (Source)

Moringa Benefits For Women

Now that we know more about the nutritive value of the moringa plant, let’s talk about its role in women’s health.

Some purported benefits of moringa for women include helping with weight management, improving libido, boosting lactation, and providing a good source of iron and other essential nutrients.

Moringa And Weight Management

Moringa has been used as a medicinal herb for a large variety of conditions and benefits, including weight management.

Although there are no current studies that have found moringa to be a successful treatment for weight loss, promising animal and test-tube studies have found that moringa can potentially help increase the breakdown of fat and reduce your body’s ability to store fat mass. (Source)

Because there are no human studies, further research is needed to determine the efficacy of moringa as a supplement for weight loss purposes.

There are some small studies available that have explored the use of moringa for weight loss when combined with other ingredients, such as turmeric and curry, but none that looked at moringa as a sole supplement for weight reduction. (Source)

Moringa And Libido

Some research suggests that moringa may also help increase sexual drive, which is commonly reduced more significantly in women than men with age.

In fact, this herb is commonly touted as a natural aphrodisiac but, does moringa help sexually?

According to one study, moringa oleifera extract provided to stressed rats increased sexual performance. It’s believed this may have been related to an increase in testosterone however, further research is warranted in human trials to determine if moringa actually works to increase sexual desire. (Source)

Moringa And Lactation

Breastfeeding women know the fear of not making enough milk to feed their infants all too well.

Moringa has been used in many varieties of lactation products to help boost milk production for mothers, but does research support this as an actual therapy?

A double-blind, randomized-control trial conducted on 88 postpartum women found that taking supplemental moringa capsules was an effective treatment for increasing the volume of breast milk. (Source)

Another study showed that women who consumed moringa cookies had an increase in the quality of their breastmilk, specifically the protein content. (Source)

Although research does support this theory, the studies available are small and more research is still needed to determine the mechanism and efficacy of moringa as a supplement for breastmilk production.

However, moringa is considered a safe supplement for most healthy adults who aren’t taking any medication for chronic conditions.

Side effects of moringa are minimal however, if you are breastfeeding be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before adding a moringa supplement to your routine.

Moringa And Iron

Because of menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth, women are more likely to experience iron deficiency than men during certain periods of life.

Moringa is a rich source of iron and vitamin C, a nutrient that helps to boost the absorption of iron.

Some studies have found that taking supplemental moringa powder can help to increase hemoglobin levels and reduce anemia.

Furthermore, recent studies even suggest that moringa powder may be more effective at treating iron deficiency anemia than traditional iron supplements.

Moringa might also be a more appealing option than conventional iron supplementation as it can come without the uncomfortable side effects often associated with taking iron, including upset stomach and constipation. (Source)

How To Take Moringa

Moringa can be consumed in a variety of ways depending on your personal preference.

You can consume moringa leaves, although they may be challenging to get and likely expensive depending on the source.

These leaves are mild in flavor and can be easily mixed into casseroles, sauces, dips, and dressings. It can be blended into smoothies or sprinkled on top of pasta dishes and more.

Although moringa in its natural form is best, it’s difficult to get high amounts of the beneficial compounds moringa provides without having to consume an exceptional amount of these leaves each day.

Because of this, the most common way to consume moringa is in supplement form.

It is available as a powder, a capsule, a tablet, and even a liquid. You can also often find moringa in combination supplements, like green powders.

For example, Human Tonik’s Supergreen Tonik green powder contains 500mg of moringa per serving.

Additionally, you can make your own green powder with moringa and other green vegetables you have on hand. Learning how to make green powders takes only a short amount of time but can save you money and provide a nutrient-dense homemade supplement with little effort.

If homemade isn’t your cup of tea, traditional green powder supplements work fine.

Although some may argue that green powders are not worth the money and a multivitamin is better, they are a convenient way to boost your nutrition if you are low on time, don’t like a lot of green veggies, don’t take pills or capsules well, or just want a nutritional boost.

Choosing The Right Moringa Supplement

If you do decide to go the supplement route for your moringa, you must choose a high-quality product you can trust, such as Supergreen Tonik green powder.

This product contains a hearty dose of moringa and other beneficial health nutrients, such as adaptogens, antioxidants, and loads of vitamins and minerals from green veggies.

Supergreen Tonik is also third-party tested and provides full transparency of its ingredients. This means they do not contain any proprietary blends, and you always know exactly what you are getting from their product.

These are all important factors to consider when choosing a high-quality supplement. Always look for third-party testing and avoid products that use proprietary blends.

Choosing a combination supplement, such as Supergreen Tonik, can also help to provide additional benefits aside from just using a moringa supplement alone.

Always speak to your doctor or healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your routine, especially if you are taking any medications for a condition. Some ingredients in these products may interact with certain medications.

Bottom Line

Moringa is a popular medicinal herb used in Ayurvedic practice as a complementary alternative to traditional medicine for various conditions and health benefits.

Many research studies link moringa to numerous benefits for women, including helping with weight management, increasing sexual desire, boosting lactation, and treating iron deficiency.

Although much research is available on moringa, many studies are limited to animal or test-tube subjects. Further research utilizing human trials is key for us to better understand the safety and efficacy of moringa as a potential alternative to traditional medicine.

Moringa supplements come in various forms but often work better than natural moringa leaf as it contains a higher concentration.

If you are considering a moringa supplement, always look for one third-party tested for quality and purity from a trusted brand.

Meghan Stoops, RDN

Meghan is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist from San Jose, California. She received her undergraduate degree from San Diego State University in 2015. Following an unexpected cross-country trip that landed her in Florida, she completed her didactic training through AdventHealth Orlando.

Meghan has extensive experience in multiple aspects of dietetics including critical care, motivational interviewing, writing, and research. She is passionate about health and wellness and has dedicated her free time to breaking down complicated nutrition topics and disseminating them to the public through the arena of writing.