Malunggay: Why Almost Every Health Drink Claims to Have Moringa Extract

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They're all claiming to have malunggay or moringa extracts--well, almost all health drink sold in the market today. They realize how powerful this tropical plant is for health and healing and is in fact among the herbs and plants in the Philippines and Asia acclaimed by the Philippine Senate as a "Miracle Tree" due to the health benefits derived from the whole plant.

Senate Bill 2099 introduced by Senator Cynthia Villar established the so-called Malunggay industry in the country, realizing its lucrativeness since it has both nutrition and healing values. It can be sold as it is--in raw green leafy form with its edible elongated seedy and fibrous fruit, or in supplement form.

The Senate document further says how malunggay is rich with Vitamins A and C, protein, calcium, potassium, and zinc, among many others, which are all essential for the health of both children and adults. The roots and seeds are usable for seasoning and alternative first aid remedy for certain ailments like cough, fever, and respiratory illnesses, to name a few. The grounded leaves can be mixed with flour and other food preparations as added nutrition. It is a versatile green leafy vegetable.

The oil produced from this plant is said to be almost comparable to olive oil and is great for cooking and mixing in salads. Mixing the leaves in souped dishes or simply taking the capsule supplement greatly enhances lactation for mothers and supplies essential antioxidants for our bodies. Because malunggay also has anti-microbial and anti-aging qualities, the extract is sometimes used for skin care products and cosmetics. It reportedly also has anti-diabetic and anti-tumor properties, especially when the malunggay is taken in tea form.

However, moringa oleifera or malunggay is not a toxin neutralizer. A lot of harmful "health" products out there--especially the so-called "energy" drinks rich in sugars and caffeine and passed off as health or sports drinks, add in malunggay extracts to give their brands a good image. But the small moringa content in them cannot neutralize the harmful effect of sugars and caffeine you get from drinking them. Instead, what small extract of moringa you get from them is easily negated by their rich sugar and caffeine contents.

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If you want to get real health benefits from drinks that contain moringa, choose sugar and caffeine free drinks that also have no chemical content in them. Better yet, just mix moringa tea into your favorite freshly squeezed all-natural fruit drink you made yourself. That's a guarantee you get nothing but purely healthy benefits.

In summary, here are some of malunggay's health benefits:

  • It is anti-cancer: containing benzyl isothiocyanate that is said to possess anti-cancer properties and provides protection from chemotherapy.
  • It is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal: contains pterygospermin known to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. 
  • Effective for fighting malnutrition: it is rich in essential vitamins and minerals plus antioxidants. And the best thing is, it is easily grown in the tropics requiring almost zero maintenance. Since malnutrition in third world countries are mostly in the tropics, malunggay makes an ideal strategy to fight it. 
  • It is anti-inflammatory: it can help alleviate chronic inflammation in rheumatism, joint pains, and arthritis. 
  • Improves sex life naturally: it is believed to have aphrodisiac effects that improves your sex life.
  • The leaves enhance proper and regular bowel movement: prevents constipation.
  • Good for overall health. If you are sick with anything, eating malunggay or drinking its tea extract is always good for you.
  • Last but not least, the leaves and fruit make delicious and healthy food menus affordable to even marginalized people.