Botanical Overview
Moringa oleifera, commonly known as Drumstick tree, Horseradish tree, or simply Moringa, belongs to the family Moringaceae. Native to India and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, this fast-growing tree provides multiple usable parts including leaves, seeds, pods, flowers, bark, root, and seeds.
Energetics
Moringa is traditionally considered cooling and moistening in nature, with bitter, sweet and pungent tastes. It is tonifying in action and primarily supports the qi.
Primary Actions
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antioxidant
- Diuretic
- Hepatoprotective
- Hypoglycemic
- Hypolipidemic
- Nutritive
Indications
Western
- Hyperglycemia
- High cholesterol
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Inflammation
- Hypertension
- Malnutrition
- Infections
- Fatigue
Syndromes
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Dyslipidemia
- Chronic inflammation
- Hypertension
- Malnutrition
TCM
- Heat accumulation
- Thirst
- Constipation
Syndromes
- Liver fire
- Stomach heat
- Yin deficiency
Ayurveda
- Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis)
- Jvara (fever)
- Aruchi (loss of appetite)
- Prameha (diabetes)
Syndromes
- Vata imbalance
- Kapha disorders
- Pitta disorders
Unani
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Inflammation
- Malnutrition
Syndromes
- Humoral imbalance
- Jild (skin disease)
Constituents & Mechanisms
Moringa contains a variety of phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, phenolic acids, saponins, tannins, vitamins, and zeatin contributing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and antimicrobial effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Leaf powder 1–3 g daily
- Infusion of leaf 2–4 g 1–2 times daily
- Extracts standardized for isothiocyanates 100–200 mg daily
- Seed oil topical or oral use variable
- Tincture 1:5 40% ethanol 2–5 mL 1–3 times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Moringa is generally safe at culinary doses. Caution is advised during pregnancy especially with root and bark due to possible uterine stimulation. High doses may cause digestive upset or hypotension. Patients taking antihypertensive or antidiabetic medications should monitor for additive effects.
Astrological Correspondences
No well-established planetary or elemental rulers were identified in authoritative sources.
Selected References
- Plant Resources of Tropical Africa (PROTA): Moringa oleifera Lam.
- World Health Organization (WHO) Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
- Leone A et al., Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 2015
- Sreelatha S, Padma PR, Phytotherapy Research, 2015
- Chen J., Handbook of Chinese Herbs, 2012