Words: Lucy O’Connell | Images: Akan Moringa
If you’ve kept your ear to the ground (or, rather, to the trees) in the health food world, you’ll know that the Moringa plant has been gaining popularity as a new “superfood”. Richard Gaisie, co-owner, Akan Natural Moringa, tells us all about this wonder plant.
What is Moringa?
The Moringa oleifera tree is native to the foothills of the Himalayan mountains in India and regions of Africa. Its preferred regions for growth are subtropical climates and it’s seen as a plant-based multivitamin with multiple medicinal uses.
What are its benefits?
The leaves of the Moringa tree contain 90 nutrients and have naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Young and old people can benefit from it as it also contains essential amino acids/proteins that the body cannot produce and which we have to get from our food. According to the ancient Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda, it can be used against 300 diseases and has been scientifically shown to be an effective natural immune booster. It can also be used for weight loss, as it’s a natural appetite suppressant. The benefits can sound a little too good to be true, so we always encourage people to research for themselves – plus we have more information on our website.
What are the best ways for people to take Moringa?
It’s not known to have any side-effects, but it can be potent and works on your system quite quickly, so we suggest starting with half a teaspoon before moving onto the daily recommended dosage of a teaspoon. Start by adding Moringa powder to your daily smoothie, yoghurt, porridge, soups or stews – but don’t cook with it, rather just add when serving, in order to preserve the rich nutrient content. You can also get single serving sachets for travelling, Moringa veggie capsules and a range of Moringa teas. Although it’s a food, we would, of course, advise those who are currently on medication to consult their physician before taking Moringa.
For more information on Akan Natural Moringa Products, phone 021 790 8577 or visit their website.
