A cup of Moringa tea may look like your average green tea. But Moringa offers so much more in terms of health and wellness. Perhaps you’re a skeptic who isn't quite sure Moringa tea benefits are as legitimate as the marketing ads for Moringa tea leaves and powders make them out to be.
That's why we wrote this post to spill the tea on Moringa tea benefits, the scientific way. Keep scrolling to learn about the countless health perks a simple cup of piping hot tea has to offer for your overall well-being.
What Is Moringa Tea?
Moringa tea is brewed using the leaves from the Moringa oleifera tree. Instead of dried or fresh Moringa leaves, you can try Moringa leaf powder in the form of loose tea powder or even tea bags.
The good news is, Moringa tea is naturally caffeine-free. You can drink it any time of the day without worrying that it may make it hard for you to fall asleep that night.
What Does Moringa Tea Taste Like?
Moringa tea has a grassy profile with some bitter, earthy undertones. If you want to emphasize its subtle sweetness, try adding some honey to your cup of tea.
The Nutritional Value of Moringa Tea
Did you know that Moringa is so nutritious that it’s used to counter malnutrition in developing countries? In fact, Moringa leaves contain:
- 28.50% carbohydrates
- 25.02% proteins
- 10.42% fat
- 11.83% dietary fiber
- 1.108 milligrams of beta-carotene
- 326.4 micrograms per 100 grams of vitamin B1
- 15.2 milligrams per 100 grams of vitamin C
Fun fact: Moringa tea has more vitamin C than oranges, more vitamin A than carrots, higher calcium levels than milk, and more potassium than bananas. It also has nine times more iron than spinach and four times more fiber than oats, making it the ultimate superfood!
Moringa Tea Benefits: Optimal Health in a Cup
Moringa leaves are chock full of minerals, vitamins, and other beneficial plant-based compounds. So, sipping on a cup of Moringa tea is literally the same as drinking to your health. We’ll dive deep into the scientific literature for 15 proven Moringa tea benefits.
Safeguard Against Oral Infections
Moringa leaves are a potent source of antimicrobial phenolic substances, namely, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Scientific evidence indicates that the herbal leaves are effective against harmful oral microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans, which are associated with respiratory infections and dental cavities, respectively.
Aid in Weight Loss
When trying to lose weight, you may want to give Moringa tea a shot. Unlike weight loss supplements that may or may not give you real results, Moringa is scientifically proven to aid in losing weight.
Check out our post on Moringa for weight loss to get the details.
Relieve Migraines
The next time you’re in the clutches of a migraine, brew a cup of Moringa tea to help with the discomfort. According to a 2012 study in the International Journal of Green Pharmacy, Moringa leaves displayed antimigraine activity in a dose-dependent fashion.
Tamp Down Body Inflammation
Another well-known Moringa tea benefit lies in its anti-inflammatory prowess. The medicinal plant contains bioactive compounds called isothiocyanates that relieve inflammation. Among the various plant parts, research indicates that Moringa leaves display “potent antioxidant activity against free radicals.”
If you haven’t heard, free radicals not only feed into chronic inflammation but also incite oxidative damage. For that reason, scientists recommend using Moringa tea to “alleviate low-grade inflammation associated with chronic diseases.”
Regulate High Blood Sugar Levels
Here’s another Moringa tea benefit you should know: it contains several powerful blood sugar-regulating bioactives. For instance, scientists termed the isothiocyanates and kaempferol present in Moringa leaves as antidiabetic compounds. The herbal leaves also contain chlorogenic acid that stops glucose uptake in the intestines.
Last but not least, Moringa possesses quercetin which tells your muscle cells to absorb more glucose and signals to your liver to tamp down glucose production. The overall result is lower blood glucose levels after a meal.
Formidable Against Various Bacterial Strains
Aside from its antimicrobial activity, Moringa tea is also antibacterial. A 2011 study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine noted that Moringa leaves were effective against the following bacterial strains:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a type of germ usually present on the skin or nose that’s responsible for staph infections.
- Vibrio parahaemolyticus is commonly associated with gastrointestinal illnesses after eating contaminated raw or undercooked seafood.
- Enterococcus faecalis is a type of bacteria that naturally resides in your digestive tract. However, its presence in other body parts can trigger a serious infection.
- Aeromonas caviae is a bacterial pathogen commonly linked to gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and skin infections.
Alleviate Gut Dysbiosis
Countless bacteria live in your gastrointestinal tract. When your gut microbiota is flourishing, your digestion takes place smoothly. But when the gut microbiome goes out of whack, also known as gut dysbiosis, you may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as an upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea.
In such cases, you may be happy to know that Moringa tea helps correct gut dysbiosis. A 2018 study recorded that Moringa leaves elevated the levels of the beneficial gut bacteria, Bifidobacteria.
Neutralize Arsenic-induced Toxicity
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), groundwater in certain countries (including America) contains naturally high concentrations of the more toxic inorganic arsenic. Aside from contaminated drinking water, certain foods like seafood and poultry may contain some arsenic, too.
Unfortunately, short- and long-term arsenic-induced toxicity is linked to numerous health problems, including diarrhea, cancer, and even death. A 2014 study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine shows that Moringa leaves (which are used to make Moringa tea) can protect you from the toxic effects of arsenic. This makes Moringa tea a natural remedy against arsenic-induced toxicity.
May Help Manage Thyroid Disorders
If you struggle with hyperthyroidism (your thyroid gland releases too many thyroid hormones) or hypothyroidism (your thyroid gland produces too few thyroid hormones), some Moringa tea may help.
In a 2000 study, Moringa leaves lowered triiodothyronine (T3) and raised thyroxine (T4) levels in rat models. The researchers then concluded that Moringa may help regulate hyperthyroidism.
In a more recent study, Moringa leaves reduce the concentration of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) while increasing that of T3 and T4. The study’s findings highlighted that the herb is “preliminarily safe and effective in the management of primary hypothyroidism.”
May Strengthen Your Immune System
One of Moringa tea's benefits has to be its function as an immune booster. If you recall, Moringa leaves are jam-packed with several micronutrients such as vitamin A and vitamin C. A 2015 study featured in the Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences even highlighted that tea infusion made from Moringa leaves “possessed more calcium, phosphorus, sodium potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper” than Moringa seed powder, Moringa seed tea, or a tea combination of its seeds and leaves.
Using insights from a 2006 study, the potent duo of vitamin C and zinc (both present in Moringa tea) relieved the symptoms and sped up recovery from respiratory tract infections like the common cold. This combination is also known to alleviate pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria.
So, the next time you feel like your immune system could do with a boost, make yourself a cup of piping hot Moringa tea.
Boost Breast Milk Supply
Pregnant and breastfeeding ladies take note — Moringa tea may be the answer to your woes about low breast milk supply. The plant acts as a natural galactagogue because it’s proven to boost breast milk production.
Promote Healthy Cardiovascular Functioning
A cup of Moringa tea helps promote healthy cardiovascular functioning by improving your defenses against notable risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
Based on a 2019 study, three weeks of Moringa leaf supplementation diminished high blood pressure, highlighting its potential as an anti-hypertension measure. Also, Moringa is proven to regulate abnormally high or low blood lipid concentration, a common symptom in heart diseases.
Level Up Your Cognitive Skills
If you’re looking to delay neurological conditions like dementia for as long as possible, then you may want to incorporate Moringa tea into your diet.
A 2013 study in the Journal of Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity found that Moringa leaves “improved spatial memory and neurodegeneration” in mice models with age-related dementia. The study even highlighted that Moringa leaves act as a “potential cognitive enhancer and neuroprotectant” for humans!
Improve Skin Complexion
No matter if you have acne, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles, Moringa tea is the ultimate beauty supplement to improve your skin’s complexion.
Need scientific proof? In a 2014 study, test subjects were tasked to apply a 3% Moringa-infused cream on one side of their face and a non-Moringa-based cream on the other side for three months. At the end of the test period, the participants noticed visible improvements for skin roughness, scaliness, and wrinkles on the side treated with Moringa.
While the study uses Moringa leaves for topical application, orally consuming Moringa tea may bestow similar benefits on your complexion, too.
Function as an Anti-Cancer Agent
For so long, scientists have been tirelessly researching for a cure to cancer — and they may have found it in the form of Moringa tea.
A groundbreaking 2015 study in the Journal of PLoS One analyzed the anti-cancer effects of Moringa against breast and colorectal cancer cells. The results showed that only Moringa leaves and bark displayed anti-cancer properties; the seeds had no defense, whatsoever.
Prior research also pointed out that Moringa exhibited “strong anticancer potential” against:
- Melanoma (a type of skin cancer)
- Osteosarcoma (a type of bone cancer)
- Leukemia (a type of blood cancer)
- Gastric cancer
- Skin tumor
- Mast cells
- Prostate cancer
Can You Drink Moringa Tea Every Day?
With so many Moringa tea benefits, you may be tempted to drink it every day. But can you? The answer is yes, you definitely can.
However, too much Moringa tea isn’t good for you either, especially since it may trigger side effects in some individuals. The maximum amount of Moringa you can take daily without side effects is roughly seven grams of Moringa leaf powder.
Of course, your mileage may vary, and it’s always recommended to check in with a licensed healthcare provider on the optimal dosage for you.
Who Should Not Take Moringa Tea?
While almost anyone can enjoy Moringa tea benefits, there are some groups of people who should approach it with caution:
- Pregnant women: There’s scientific evidence indicating that Moringa bark can cause miscarriages in pregnant women. The good news is, Moringa tea is usually made from its leaves sans the bark. Still, it’s always a good idea to consult your OB/GYN before adding Moringa tea to your diet.
- Certain medications: Take note that Moringa tea interacts with certain medications, such as drugs that regulate high blood sugar levels or high blood pressure. If you’re currently on medication, speak with your primary doctor about whether Moringa tea is suitable for you.
Try Moringa Tea Today With Zen Principle
From battling oral infections and bacterial pathogens to losing weight and enhancing your complexion, Moringa tea benefits are aplenty. To reap its benefits, you can add Moringa tea leaves or Moringa leaf powder to boiling water for a healthy tea infusion.
If you prefer Moringa leaf powder to loose tea leaves, check out Zen Principle’s Organic Moringa Leaf Powder. We use organic Moringa leaves sourced from small farms in the Himalayan foothills so that each bag promises freshness in every scoop.
