Moringa Side Effects

Before we get into its moringa side effects, you might be wondering: what is moringa powder?

Short for moringa oleifera, moringa is a plant native to India and other tropical and subtropical regions.

Because almost all parts of the plant are edible, it has been used for centuries for both culinary and medicinal purposes. People have eaten its leaves as leafy vegetables, used the flowers in recipes, and extracted its seed oil for cooking. (Source)

It is also a superfood with a wide range of health benefits. It contains proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can reduce inflammation, control blood sugar levels, support immune function, and improve your overall health. (Source)

However, like any supplement, moringa powder is not without its potential drawbacks.

This article covers the safety of the moringa plant and explores why its benefits outweigh its risks.

Benefits Of Moringa

Despite being used for centuries worldwide, research on the moringa plant is sparse. This means many of the supposed health benefits of moringa are based on anecdotal evidence or small, isolated studies.

What we do know about moringa is that it is a rich source of essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

It contains:

• More protein per gram than yogurt
• More vitamin A than carrots
• More vitamin C than oranges
• More potassium than bananas
• More calcium than milk

According to the FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), it also has antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and hypoglycemic properties. (Source)

Based on these properties, moringa may provide the following benefits: 

• Improved gut health
• Improved immune function
• Improved blood sugar levels
• Improved energy levels
• Improved sexual health for men
• Improved breast milk production for women
• Improved inflammation levels

Moringa Side Effects

The moringa plant has a centuries-long history of serving culinary and medicinal purposes.

Nearly all parts of the plant are edible and considered safe to eat as food.

Some parts of the moringa plant are safer to consume than others.

Let’s look at the safety and side effects of each part of the moringa plant.

Moringa Leaf Side Effects

The moringa leaf is the safest, most well-researched part of the moringa oleifera plant. (Source)

It is widely considered safe and has no known side effects when taken within recommended doses.

Moreover, the moringa leaf is difficult to overconsume. You would have to eat an extremely large amount of leaves, about three grams per pound of body weight, to experience an adverse effect.

Moringa Powder Side Effects

Moringa powder is made by grinding moringa leaves into powder form. Because of this, moringa leaf powder is just as safe as the moringa leaf.

No serious side effects have been reported by moringa powder use. However, it may cause mild symptoms like digestive discomfort in some people.

It may also interact with certain drugs,  including diabetes, thyroid, and blood pressure medications. We’ll get more into that later in this article.

Moringa Root And Seed Side Effects

The seeds and roots of the moringa plant are not as well-researched and come with potential health risks. This is especially true for moringa roots, which may contain toxic properties.

If you decide to try moringa seeds or roots, make sure only to take the recommended dosage. Some research shows that overconsumption of these substances can be toxic to the body and lead to cellular damage. (Source)

While some parts of moringa are safer than others, you should consume all parts of the plant with caution.

As with any supplement, it is best to consult a health professional before trying moringa. If you experience any adverse side effects, you should stop taking moringa immediately.

How Common Are Side Effects?

The safety of moringa depends on which part of the plant you consume. Most of the moringa’s side effects are not associated with its leaves but rather its seeds and roots.

Also, moringa’s safety is largely dose-dependent. Side effects only seem to occur when moringa is taken in extremely large doses. In clinically recommended doses, side effects are rarely reported.

The main takeaway here is, to take moringa safely, use moringa leaf powder and stay within the recommended dosage limits.

Best Dosage For Moringa

The recommended dose of moringa differs for each part of the plant. 

For moringa leaf extract, doses up to 500 mg are best.

For moringa seed extract, doses up to 300 mg are best.

For moringa water leaf extract, the form most commonly used in studies, it is best to take 60 to 90 mg per pound of body weight. However, the water leaf extract is not common in supplement form.

For moringa root extract, it is best to take 68 mg per pound of body weight. This means a person who weighs 170 pounds should take about 11 grams of moringa root extract.

Who Should Not Take Moringa?

Moringa has its perks, but it is not for everyone.

Here are three situations where a moringa supplement may not be right for you.

Moringa And Diabetic Medication

Moringa has hypoglycemic properties, which means it can lower blood sugar levels.

Due to this, combining moringa with diabetes medication may potentially bring blood sugar to dangerously low levels. (Source)

It is best to check in with a health professional before taking moringa if you take diabetes medication.

Moringa And Blood Pressure Medication

Moringa powder can potentially lower blood pressure.

While this is beneficial for people with high blood pressure, it may negatively interact with some blood pressure medications. (Source)

If you want to take moringa for your blood pressure, it is best to check in with a health professional first.

Moringa And Thyroid Medication

Research shows that moringa may influence some thyroid functions. (Source)

Due to this, it is believed that moringa may interfere with certain thyroid medications, although there is not enough substantial evidence to confirm or deny this. (Source)

Regardless, it is best to check with a health professional before taking moringa if you take thyroid medication.

How To Add Moringa Into Your Diet

The best way to add moringa into your diet is by taking a moringa-based green powder supplement.

While eating whole veggies is better than eating them cooked or as a supplement, moringa keeps all of its benefits throughout the grinding process. That means you are still getting a rich source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants.

Plus, when combined with a green powder, you also get a wide range of superfoods, probiotics, and adaptogens that are hard to get through your everyday diet.

This is why we recommended Supergreen Tonik as your go-to greens powder. In addition to 500 mg of moringa in every serving, it contains a blend of 38 superfoods, adaptogens, and nutrients designed to promote your overall health.

It is a great way to meet your moringa needs while increasing your vitamin and mineral intake.

Plus, Supergreen Tonik is third-party tested and free of proprietary blends, so you know exactly what you’re getting in every serving.

Final Thoughts

While every supplement comes with potential drawbacks, the downsides of moringa are quite small.

Its surplus of beneficial ingredients and ample health benefits makes a moringa-based green powder worth it.

Kelly McGeehan, MSc

Kelly McGeehan is a freelance health and wellness writer based in Oahu, Hawaii. She’s a proud former Owl, graduating with her Master’s degree in English from Temple University. She is also a competitive runner with 15 years of mileage under her spikes. Kelly combines her background in healthcare, wellness, and fitness with her writing background to create content for various health-related businesses.

She brings a passion for holistic health to the keyboard and writes to inspire others to live happier, healthier lives. In her free time, you’ll find her reading on the beach or training for her next half marathon.