Bulk Herbs: Moringa Leaf
Moringa oleifera
Size: 1 oz package
Format: C/S
Plant Part: Leaf
Also Known as: Drumstick tree, West Indian ben, moringa (Tamil), Jacinto (Spanish), Mahajan or manage (Hindi), and Shigeru or shobhanjana (Ayurvedic).
Origin: India
Moringa is a tree that has been used for thousands of years in India for everything from food to building materials and its beneficial properties. This 'wonder tree' truly is wondrous in that each part of the tree is useful. The roots, stems, leaves, seed pods, resin, and flowers are considered to be healing herbs in folk medicine in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian healing system) and Unani (traditional Middle Eastern healing system). In modern times, the leaves and seed pods are utilized extensively due to their nutrient content, and modern studies are investigating their vast potential.
Moringa is native to the sub-Himalayan mountain region, particularly in India. Still, it has been introduced to southwest Asia, southwest and northeast Africa, Madagascar, the Philippines, and the United States in California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Florida. This tree is in the Moringaceae, or horseradish tree, family, closely related to the papaya-containing Caricaceae family. It is the sole genus containing thirteen species, one of which is M. stenopetala, a species native to and cultivated in Africa.
It is believed that the moringa tree originated in northern India and was used in Indian medicine around 5,000 years ago. There are also accounts of it being utilized by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. This tree was, and still is, considered a panacea, referred to as the 'Wonder Tree,' 'The Divine Tree,' and 'The Miracle Tree', amongst many others. Moringa was used extensively in Ayurveda, where virtually all parts were considered useful and had many beneficial attributes. It was employed to support digestion, spleen, and eye health, as a cooking additive, and in many other ways. Its taste was considered bitter and pungent; its energetics, heating, and effect upon the dosha (Ayurvedic constitutional type) are balancing to Kapha (dosha ruled by earth and water) and Vata (dosha ruled by air and ether). The leaf is considered energetically bitter, pungent, and heating.
Active Compounds: Alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, phytosterols (stigmasterol, sitosterol, campesterol), minerals (calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc), vitamins (beta-carotene, folic acid, pyridoxine, nicotinic acid, vitamins C, D and E), isothiocyanates, flavonoids, tannins.
Actions: Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, cancer preventative and antitumor, cardiac tonic, urinary tract tonic, thyroid tonic, lactogogue, immunostimulant, antirheumatic, astringent, abortifacient.
Indications: Malnutrition, Microbial infection, Cancer and Tumors, Heart Disease, Frequent UTI, Sluggish Immune System, Dropsy, Skin Irritation, Digestive Distress
Precautions: No known precautions. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications.
Magick Uses: Moringa is sometimes called the Tree of Life and helps build a heightened state of spirituality. It can also help boost your courage, strength, and beauty. Use it to dress candles for protection, health, or courage, or in your spells for a magickal boost.