6 Ayurvedic Science-Backed Benefits Of Moringa!

Introduction

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have become more interested in strengthening their immunity. What better way to do this than by consuming a natural immunity booster like Moringa¹?

Every part of the Moringa tree is used in traditional medicine as it offers amazing health benefits. Today, Moringa is beginning to gain more popularity as a nutritious superfood².

This herb is one of the more effective & essential medicinal plants in Ayurveda. Moringa is called the drumstick tree or the miracle tree³.

Based on my experience, Moringa has been studied for its potential benefits in controlling diabetes. It’s reported that Moringa leaves can help reduce blood glucose levels shortly after consumption⁶.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Health Benefits of Moringa

Moringa may have the following health benefits: 

1. Supporting immune function

Moringa is considered a potent immunity booster. Its high antioxidant content may support immune defense and help reduce the risk of infections⁴. Moreover, moringa is also rich in iron and vitamin A – nutrients that enhance the functioning of the immune system⁵.

2. Moringa can increase your nutrient intake 

Without the proper nutrients, your body cannot function at its best. Although we may ignore it, irregular eating habits and consuming unhealthy foods can make us really sick!  

But moringa, commonly called drumsticks, can help fix this problem. It is packed with vital nutrients like protein and iron; vitamins like A, B, and C; and minerals like magnesium and may have the following benefits based on its nutrients⁶: 

• Protein: It helps build cells, tissues and muscles⁷.
• Iron: It transports oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body⁵.
• Vitamin C: It strengthens the immune system⁴.
• Riboflavin: It helps the body use energy⁸.
• Magnesium: It helps regulates blood sugar and supports bone health^9,10.
• Vitamin A: It keeps the eyes healthy⁵.
• Vitamin B6: It boosts immunity by producing antibodies against various infections and also aids in the production of haemoglobin¹¹.

3. Moringa is a source of antioxidants 

Most illnesses can be traced to cell damage. What causes cell damage then? Free radicals! They initiate a process called oxidation that damages our cells. Damaged cells do not do their work properly and may lead to illness¹². The antioxidants in Moringa may help eliminate free radicals from your body, thus reducing oxidative stress².

4. Better management of sugar levels 

High levels of blood sugar can cause diabetes, which can cause serious health problems. So what should you do to avoid high blood sugar? Not only must you be careful with your diet, but you must also keep your blood sugar levels steady¹³. Some studies suggest Moringa may help lower fasting blood sugar levels².

5. Reducing inflammation 

A little bit of inflammation or swelling is a sign that your immunity is fighting off an infection. But long-term or chronic inflammation could trigger heart problems and arthritis¹⁴. Moringa has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Moringa seeds may also aid in arthritis and heart disease by reducing the inflammation and oxidative stress^2,15. 

From what I have seen, Moringa extract has been found to have beneficial effects on wound healing. These extracts show pro-healing action, meaning they may promote the healing process and have characteristics that support the body’s natural ability to heal wounds⁶.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

6. Moringa for your bones and joints

Moringa can help you if you have bone and joint disorders, as it may reduce stiffness and inflammation in the joints. Arthritis (both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis) and gout are two leading problems of bones and joints that affect a major segment of the population. Moringa leaves are one of the most powerful parts of the plant, and when you consume them, the compounds in the leaves will help to reduce inflammation, pain and stiffness in your joints^16,17  

Side Effects of Moringa 

When consumed in moderate amounts, Moringa does not have any specific side effects. However, if you notice any symptoms after eating moringa, you must visit a doctor immediately. It is important to consult a doctor to check whether it is safe for you to eat moringa.  

Moringa may have the following side effects: 

• It may act as anti-fertility in some people⁶.
• It may interfere with thyroid medications⁶.
• It may also lead to too low a blood sugar level in some people⁶.
• It may also lead to too low blood pressure when used along with anti-hypertensive drugs⁶.

Also Read: 16 Health Benefits of Moringa Leaves 

Conclusion

Moringa leaves are highly nutritious and beneficial for people who lack essential nutrients. They contain anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to various body functions⁷. However, while moringa has been widely used in traditional medicine and studied for several health effects, stronger scientific evidence is still needed to confirm many of these claims. Including moringa as part of a balanced diet may be beneficial, but it should not replace medical treatment. If you plan to use moringa for specific health concerns, speak to your doctor first. 

References

1. Fajri M. The potential of Moringa oleifera as immune booster against COVID-19. IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci. 2021;807:022008. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/807/2/022008. Available from: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/807/2/022008  

2. Pareek A, Pant M, Gupta MM, Kashania P, Ratan Y, Jain V, Pareek A, Chuturgoon AA. Moringa oleifera: An Updated Comprehensive Review of Its Pharmacological Activities, Ethnomedicinal, Phytopharmaceutical Formulation, Clinical, Phytochemical, and Toxicological Aspects. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jan 20;24(3):2098. doi: 10.3390/ijms24032098. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9916933/  

3. Meireles D, Gomes J, Lopes L, Hinzmann M, Machado J. A review of properties, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications of Moringa oleifera: integrative approach on conventional and traditional Asian medicine. Adv Tradit Med. 2020;20:495-515. doi:10.1007/s13596-020-00468-0. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13596-020-00468-0  

4. Moringa oleifera – Antiretroviral Pharmacokinetic Drug Interaction (NCT01410058). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available from: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01410058  

5. Moyo B, Masika PJ, Hugo A, Muchenje V. Nutritional characterization of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) leaves. Afr J Biotechnol. 2011;10(60):12925-12933. doi:10.5897/AJB10.1599. Available from: https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/4261298 

6. Islam Z, Islam SMR, Hossen F, Mahtab-Ul-Islam K, Hasan MR, Karim R. Moringa oleifera is a Prominent Source of Nutrients with Potential Health Benefits. Int J Food Sci. 2021 Aug 10;2021:6627265. doi: 10.1155/2021/6627265. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8373516/ 

7. Patil SV, Mohite BV, Marathe KR, Salunkhe NS, Marathe V, Patil VS. Moringa Tree, Gift of Nature: a Review on Nutritional and Industrial Potential. Curr Pharmacol Rep. 2022;8(4):262-280. doi: 10.1007/s40495-022-00288-7. Epub 2022 May 16. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9108141/  

8. da Silva-Araújo ER, Toscano AE, Silva PBP, Pereira Dos Santos Junior J, Gouveia HJCB, da Silva MM, Souza VDS, de Freitas Silva SR, Manhães-de-Castro R. Effects of deficiency or supplementation of riboflavin on energy metabolism: a systematic review with preclinical studies. Nutr Rev. 2025 Feb 1;83(2):e332-e342. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae041.Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38719205/  

9. Veronese N, Dominguez LJ, Pizzol D, Demurtas J, Smith L, Barbagallo M. Oral Magnesium Supplementation for Treating Glucose Metabolism Parameters in People with or at Risk of Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 15;13(11):4074. doi: 10.3390/nu13114074.Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34836329/  

10. Rondanelli M, Faliva MA, Tartara A, Gasparri C, Perna S, Infantino V, Riva A, Petrangolini G, Peroni G. An update on magnesium and bone health. Biometals. 2021 Aug;34(4):715-736. doi: 10.1007/s10534-021-00305-0. Epub 2021 May 6. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8313472/  

11. MedlinePlus. Vitamin B6. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [updated January 21, 2025; cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002402.htm#  

12. Pizzino G, Irrera N, Cucinotta M, Pallio G, Mannino F, Arcoraci V, Squadrito F, Altavilla D, Bitto A. Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8416763. doi: 10.1155/2017/8416763. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5551541/  

13. CDC. Manage Blood Sugar. In: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2024 [cited 2025 Sep 29]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/treatment/index.html  

14. Chen L, Deng H, Cui H, Fang J, Zuo Z, Deng J, Li Y, Wang X, Zhao L. Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs. Oncotarget. 2017 Dec 14;9(6):7204-7218. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.23208. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5805548/  

15. Alia F, Putri M, Anggraeni N, Syamsunarno MRAA. The Potency of Moringa oleifera Lam. as Protective Agent in Cardiac Damage and Vascular Dysfunction. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Jan 24;12:724439. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.724439. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8818947/  

16. Adiwira DGR, Winaya IMN, Andayani NLN, Tianing NW. Effectiveness of warm Moringa leaf compress in reducing knee pain in elderly individuals with gout arthritis: a quasi-experimental study. MIFI J. 2025;13(2):398-403. doi:10.24843/mifi.000000463. Available from: https://ejournal2.unud.ac.id/index.php/mifi/article/view/463  

17. Mahdi HJ, Khan NAK, Asmawi MZB, Mahmud R, A/L Murugaiyah V. In vivo anti-arthritic and anti-nociceptive effects of ethanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaves on complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis in rats. Integr Med Res. 2018 Mar;7(1):85-94. doi: 10.1016/j.imr.2017.11.002. Epub 2017 Dec 23. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5884001/  

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