Moringa Tea- Health Benefits, How To Make & Side Effects

There are many benefits to drinking moringa tea on a daily basis, including its unique abilities to prevent chronic disease, reduce inflammation throughout the body, speed healing, improve digestion, enhance cognition, prevent cancer, boost the immune healing, manage diabetic symptoms and even help protect the heart.

Moringa has received a lot of attention in recent years, and a great deal of research money has been poured into this small tree native to India and Pakistan, bearing the scientific name Moringa oleifera. Almost every part of this root can be used for certain medicinal or culinary applications, and due to its high concentration of nutrients, and ability of the leave to retain a high level of these components when dried, moringa tea is becoming extremely popular in other parts of the world. Generally, the root and extracts from the plant can be toxic, and should be avoided, but the leaves, flowers, stems, seeds, bark and fruit are all available and recommended for health.

Benefits of Drinking Moringa Tea

Drinking moringa tea can help people who suffer from a number of conditions, including cancer, arthritis, gout, stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart conditions and the common cold. These benefits are largely due to the high levels of vitamin C, protein, potassium, calcium, vitamin A and a number of flavonoid and polyphenolic antioxidant compounds.

Immune System: High levels of ascorbic acid and other antioxidants make this tea an excellent way to boost the immune system and protect against common colds and fly symptoms. Vitamin C stimulates the production of white blood cells and acts as an antioxidant to slow down oxidative stress and the weakened immune system that results. In terms of chronic disease, studies have also shown that moringa tea can have an effect on cancer risk and other chronic illness.

Digestive Health: The anti-inflammatory nature of this tea makes it ideal for soothing stomach upset, calming diarrhea and constipation symptoms, and generally improving your gastrointestinal health.  The antibacterial effects alone can help rebalance your intestinal flora so your gut works more efficiently, while eliminating excess gas, cramping and bloating.

Cardiovascular Issues: A significant content of potassium makes this tea excellent for lowering blood pressure, as potassium is a vasodilator that can ease tension in arteries and blood vessels. This can help lower your risk of developing atherosclerosis, as well as suffering heart attacks or strokes. Moringa tea also has a naturally soothing quality that helps relax the body and mind.

Healing Rate: Vitamin C is not just good for the immune system, but also for the creation of new cells in the body. High levels of ascorbid acid mean more collagen creation and faster healing, particularly for someone who is recovering from an injury or extended illness.

Cognitive Function: The antioxidants found in moringa tea, as well as the other neuroprotective vitamins and nutrients, help to make this tea a true brain booster. Research has shown that moringa tea has the ability to regulate neurotransmitter levels, which can effect memory and cognitive strength. The flavonoids and polyphenols can also help to reduce oxidative action in the brain, which leads to plaque buildup and the deposition of beta amyloid.

Diabetes: There are certain blood sugar and cholesterol-lowering effects of moringa powder (and tea), which makes it important for people at risk of diabetes, or already suffering from this condition. By lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, your chances of developing diabetes is lowered, while the blood sugar regulation helps diabetic patients live a more normal and healthy life.

Inflammation: Known primarily as an anti-inflammatory tea, moringa is excellent for reducing inflammation of the tissues and cells throughout the body, relieving pain, chronic aches and joint disorders, as well as gout, stomach upset, headaches and fever. This is one of the main reasons why moringa is considered a “cure all” in many countries.

How Do You Make Moringa Tea?

Moringa tea is relatively easy to make, particularly if you are growing moringa plants in your home garden. These are hardy plants, and can be cultivated without much trouble. When fully grown, these small trees stand about 4-5 feet tall, and can be cut back to approximately 1-2 feet in height multiple times in the growing season. Those “cut back” branches will be filled with leaves that are perfect for making moringa tea. It is important to wash the leaves thoroughly before hanging them to dry.

To acquire the dry leaves for the tea, bundle the moringa stalks with a rubber hand and hang them upside down in a dry, cool place. After 10-14 days, the stalks of leaves should be completely dried out. Place the leafy side of the stalks in a bag, crushing the stalks so the dry leaves fall off. You can also do this part of the process by hand.

Remove any larger stems from the mix of leaves. These leaves should be stored in an airtight container, in a cool and dry place. When you are ready to use them, you can further crush, crumble or blend the moringa leaves for tea, or even make moringa powder, which can be used for different healthy remedies.

Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 1 teaspoon of dried moringa leaves (crushed/blended)
• 1 cup hot water
• Honey

Step 1 – Scoop the moringa leaves into a cup.

Step 2 – Add the hot water and allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes (or until the color changes).

Step 3 – Mix in honey to taste.

Note: This tea can be served both hot and cold, making it a year-round beverage!

What Are the Side Effects of Taking Moringa Tea?

Some of the side effects of drinking moringa tea include:

• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Risk of miscarriage- This tea can cause contractions and tightening of the uterus, and may raise your risk of miscarriage during pregnancy

These side effects are quite rare, and there are no toxic components to this plant or the tea. There are no commonly seen side effects of moringa tea, provided you drink it in moderate amounts.

With those few exceptions, the versatile benefits of moringa tea are definitely worth exploring if you are looking for a new herbal remedy in your life!