Welcome to “A healthy you,” your comprehensive feature for known and unknown information on natural healing and treatment of major and minor illnesses.

This week I decided to talk about a herb which can work wonders for quite a few health problems and provide nutrition to our bodies. When I talk to people about using herbs in their daily diet there always seems to be some misconceptions about herbs. The include that herbs are all bitter and make you have loose bowels. I also observe that people tend to think that herbs are only for preventing or healing illnesses. So I always do my best to share with folks that herbs have powerful nutritional value, some taste really good and others will keep you feeling full instead of sending you to the bathroom for a number 2!

Well, the herb in the spotlight this week is known as a Super-Food so let’s look the wonderful things that MORINGA can do for your health.

Moringa oleifera, also known as horseradish tree, ben tree, or drumstick tree, is a small tree from India, Pakistan, and Nepal that has been used for generations in Eastern countries to treat and prevent diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, anemia, arthritis, liver disease, and respiratory, skin, and digestive disorders. Moringa has become popular as a leaf powder supplement, although the pods, roots, bark, flowers, seeds, and fruits are also edible. The leaves are consumed as part of fresh salad in india and other places.

Moringa is packed with nutrients, rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, Calcium, Potassium and protein. This plant has Antioxidants that fight free radicals, Molecules that cause oxidative stress, cell damage, and inflammation. Among the antioxidants found in Moringa are flavonoids, polyphenols, and ascorbic acid found in the leaves, flowers, and seeds. A study found that leaf extracts had higher antioxidant activity, free-radical-scavenging capacity, and higher inhibition of lipid, protein, and DNA oxidation than flowers and seeds. This means it prevents the damage and degradation that FREE RADICALS cause in the cells of different organs in the body, keeping them healthy and functioning at their best.

Moringa fights Inflammation which can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and obesity. It reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory enzymes and proteins in the body, and the Moringa leaf concentrate can significantly lower inflammation in the cells.

Moringa leaf powder has heart-healthy benefits, particularly in blood lipid control, the prevention of plaque formation in the arteries, and reduced cholesterol levels.It also supports brain health and cognitive function because of its antioxidant and neuro-enhancer activities. It’s also been tested as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease with favorable preliminary results.

Moringa has a high content of vitamins E and C which fight oxidation that leads to neuron degeneration, improving brain function. It’s also able to normalize the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain, which play a key role in memory, mood, organ function, responses to stimulus such as stress and pleasure, and mental health, for example in depression and psychosis.

Moringa contains high concentrations of polyphenols in its leaves and flowers that protect the liver against oxidation, toxicity, and damage. It can reduce liver damage and fibrosis and reverse oxidation in the liver. Moringa oil can also restore liver enzymes to normal levels, reducing oxidative stress, and increasing protein content in the liver. The liver is responsible for blood detoxification, bile production, fructose metabolism, fat metabolism, and nutrient processing, and it can only fulfill these functions with the aid of liver enzymes, so it’s vital they stay at normal levels. For instance, lower levels of hepatic enzymes can impair its ability to filter the blood. Now remember if you have any skin problems, taking god care of your liver will solve those. So Moringa is a good way to get clear skin.

You can add Moringa powder to your smoothie or drink it as a tea. The leaf powder was deemed safe in human studies, even in larger doses than normal. The powder has a mild flavor, so it makes for a light tea with a slightly earthy taste. Fresh Moringa leaves can be used in your fresh salad or steamed with other vegetables. There are many other ways to use Moringa but this is where I put a cap on this week’s feature. Feel free to continue your research on Mooring and see how best you can include it into your diet.

Thanks for stopping by. Catch me for more “A Healthy You” next week. Don’t forget to like, share and comment on mckoysnews.com and on Facebook. You can also give me feedback by emailing irieamber@gmail.com and ind me on Social Media @djambeririefm.