What Is Moringa?

Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a fast-growing tree native to the Indian subcontinent and now cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. Sometimes called the drumstick tree or miracle tree, moringa has a long history as both a food crop and traditional botanical.

Almost every part of the plant has been used in some way, including the leaves, immature seed pods, seeds and flowers. For nutritional purposes, however, the leaves are particularly important. They can be eaten fresh or dried and ground into the distinctive deep-green powder commonly sold today.

Our moringa products use organic moringa leaf rather than extracts or isolated compounds.

Where Does Moringa Come From?

Moringa oleifera is believed to have originated around the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India and neighbouring regions of South Asia.

Its ability to grow quickly in warm, relatively dry environments helped it spread well beyond its original range. Moringa is now cultivated throughout India, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and other tropical regions.

The long, slender seed pods produced by the tree are responsible for another of its common names — the drumstick tree.

Moringa has become particularly valuable as a food crop because its leaves can be harvested repeatedly and used fresh, cooked or dried for later use.

What's Naturally Found in Moringa Leaves?

Moringa leaves contain a broad range of naturally occurring nutrients and plant compounds. These include:

• Beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Iron
• Potassium
• Protein and amino acids
• Polyphenols and flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol
• Chlorophyll and other naturally occurring plant pigments

The exact nutritional composition varies considerably according to growing conditions, maturity of the leaves and processing.

Fresh moringa leaves and dried moringa leaf powder should also not be compared directly gram-for-gram. Drying removes much of the plant's water and therefore concentrates many of its remaining nutrients into a smaller weight.

This concentration is one reason moringa leaf powder has become popular as a whole-food botanical ingredient.

Moringa in Traditional Food & Botanical Use

Moringa has been used for centuries throughout South Asia as both an everyday food and traditional botanical.

The leaves are incorporated into curries, soups and vegetable dishes, while the immature pods are widely eaten in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking. Moringa also appears in Ayurvedic traditions, where different parts of the plant have historically been prepared in different ways.

As cultivation spread, moringa became incorporated into food traditions throughout Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

These traditional uses are an important part of moringa's history, but they should be distinguished from modern scientific evidence about specific health effects.

Whole Moringa Leaf vs Extract

Moringa supplements can contain either whole dried leaf or concentrated extracts.

Whole moringa leaf powder is produced by drying the leaves and grinding them into powder. It retains the broader natural composition of the leaf rather than concentrating one particular constituent.

Moringa extracts use additional processing to concentrate selected compounds from the plant. Their composition and concentration can therefore differ substantially between products.

Neither format should automatically be considered equivalent to the other.

Our moringa products follow a whole-food approach, using organic moringa leaf rather than highly concentrated extracts.

Powder vs Capsules

Moringa leaf powder has a characteristic earthy, green flavour. It can be mixed into smoothies, juices and other foods, making it suitable for people who want to use larger amounts or incorporate it directly into their diet.

Capsules contain the same type of powdered botanical material in a pre-measured format and avoid the flavour and preparation associated with loose powder.

The better format largely comes down to how someone prefers to use moringa.

Why Choose Organic Moringa?

Organic certification provides information about the agricultural standards under which moringa was grown, including restrictions on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.

For a botanical where the leaf itself is harvested, dried and consumed, knowing how the crop was produced can be a useful consideration when choosing between products.

Our moringa products use certified organic moringa and are made and packed in Australia.

Moringa in Our Range

We offer moringa as a standalone single-botanical capsule and as a key ingredient in several botanical blends.

• The Endless Garden — Organic Moringa Leaf Capsules
• The Verdant Foundation — Organic Moringa Leaf Powder
• Green & Gold — Moringa & Turmeric
• The Wild Harvest — Cayenne, Acai, Moringa & Bee Pollen
• The Botanical Bloom — Bee Pollen, Moringa & Acerola
• Verdant Trilogy — Moringa, Matcha & Acai
• The Grand Harvest — 25-Ingredient Organic Superfood Capsules

Always consult a healthcare professional before adding a new supplement to your routine, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a medical condition.

Further Reading

• Moringa vs Matcha — Which Green Superfood Is Right for You?
• The Ultimate Guide to Whole-Food Superfoods
• What Is Matcha?
• What Is Acai Berry?