What is moringa?

Moringa is a powder that comes from the moringa, drumstick or horseradish tree. It's considered to be one of the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet, and is credited with everything from sorting out sleep patterns to increasing libido. The leaves, bark, flowers, fruit and seeds of the tree are eaten or used medicinally in parts of tropical Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, where it is native.

Moringa’s reputation as a 'superfood' makes sense in areas where diets are traditionally sparse or unbalanced, particularly as it flourishes where few other plants or trees do well.

It may also make a difference in Western diets, particularly in those who do not have a balanced diet or suffer illnesses caused by (or causing) imbalance. For most, it will make little difference to health, and thus, buying it in packaged form is likely more expensive than following a balanced, varied diet. Speak to your GP before using moringa as a supplement.

Learn more about superfood powders.

How to cook moringa

In areas where the moringa tree is native, the leaves are cooked like spinach or dried and powdered for use as a sharp condiment. It's unlikely to find fresh moringa in the UK or Europe; it is most often sold as a supplement.

How to store moringa

Follow storage instructions on the label.

Where to buy moringa

Moringa is increasingly available in speciality shops and online. Although all parts of the tree are used in native areas, the leaves are thought to be especially vital. The taste is a bit like horseradish, hence one of the tree's many names.

Choose the best moringa

Most comparative information about moringa products is published by retailers, so it’s difficult to know how valid claims are. As with all supplements, it's best to speak to your GP first.

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