They call it the “miracle tree,” the “tree of life,” and even the “drumstick that fixes everything but heartbreak.” Moringa—yes, our humble Nugge soppu—is the botanical equivalent of a grandmother: cures everything, judges no one, and always shows up when you need it most.
When someone says, “Doctor, I heard moringa can cure 300 diseases,” I smile. Not because they’re wrong, but because they’re almost right—and they usually heard this from a WhatsApp University graduate.
Let me tell you, moringa is no ordinary plant. It’s a pharmacy disguised as a tree, with vitamins A to Zinc packed in its leaves. Ayurveda knew this long before Google did.
***
One Monday morning, Mr. Ravi, a 42-year-old IT manager, walked into my clinic looking utterly defeated. He whispered like he was sharing a state secret: “Doctor, I have no energy… my joints ache… and I feel old.”
I looked at him. “You’re 42, Ravi, not 84.”
He nodded, “But doctor, my bones creak like my grandmother’s cot.”
I prescribed a simple DIY—moringa leaf soup daily for two weeks, with a teaspoon of castor oil at bedtime. Two months later, he returned looking fresher, chirpier, and 5 years younger.
“I even beat my son at badminton,” he beamed.
“No miracle,” I said. “Just moringa.”
***
Moringa leaves are loaded with calcium (more than milk), potassium (more than bananas), iron (more than spinach), and vitamin A (almost matching carrots). It contains all nine essential amino acids. Even a pharmaceutical company would be jealous.
It grows like a weed. You don’t need hydroponics or NASA technology. A little soil, some water, and a sunny balcony are all it needs. It thrives on neglect.
But why is moringa good for men? Ah, this is where it gets interesting.
One of my regulars, Mr. Farooq, aged 55, had been struggling with high blood sugar, belly fat, and low energy. He tried everything—keto diet, fancy gym memberships, even imported apple cider vinegar. But his sugar stayed high, and his libido stayed low.
I asked him to start moringa powder every morning with a clove of garlic and two peppercorns.
Two months later, he said, “Doctor saab, sugar down, stamina up. My wife told me to thank you personally.”
I winked. “Tell her to thank moringa.”
***
For women, moringa is a quiet saviour. It helps with anaemia, improves breast milk in lactating mothers, balances hormones, and reduces symptoms of PMS and menopause. I’ve seen teenage girls with irregular periods and working women with hormonal acne benefit immensely.
Sharmila, a 28-year-old corporate lawyer, had severe PCOS. “I can fight clients in court,” she said, “but not my hormones.”
I put her on moringa powder with warm water, along with dietary tweaks and yoga. Three months later, her periods were regular, her skin glowed, and she stopped threatening her boyfriend for breathing loudly.
***
Now, let’s get into the various forms: fresh leaves, powder (churna), tablets, capsules, and oil—moringa has more avatars than Lord Vishnu.
Which one is best?
Fresh leaves are gold. Stir-fried, juiced, or made into chutney, they retain the highest nutrient value. But if you’re busy chasing your boss’s deadlines, moringa churna in warm water is a good plan B. Tablets? Okay, for those who can’t tolerate the earthy taste. Just don’t expect miracles from moringa lattes at overpriced health cafés.
And moringa oil? Oh, it’s liquid gold. One of my patients, a fashion influencer named Reena, once barged into my clinic with frizz that could rival Einstein’s.
“Doctor, nothing is working. My hair looks electrocuted.”
I prescribed her a bottle of cold-pressed moringa oil.
Two weeks later, her hair was on magazine covers. “Moringa oil is the real celebrity,” she declared.
It nourishes the scalp, promotes hair growth, clears dandruff, and makes your skin glow like you’ve been kissed by moonlight. For dry elbows, chapped lips, or cracked heels, moringa oil does it all.
***
But here comes the usual question: What happens if I take moringa every day?
If you take a teaspoon of moringa powder daily with warm water, you’ll notice better digestion, more energy, reduced joint stiffness, and even clearer skin. But go overboard—say two tablespoons a day—and you may find yourself rushing to the loo more often than you’d like.
Yes, moringa is potent. Higher doses can cause bloating, loose stools, or, in rare cases, liver overload in people with pre-existing conditions. Think of it like a relationship: test the waters before you dive in.
And no, moringa doesn’t cure everything. It can help manage diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, PCOS, anaemia, asthma, and even arthritis. But don’t expect it to resurrect your ex or reverse baldness overnight.
It’s not recommended for pregnant women in the early trimester, as some compounds in the root may act as abortifacients. Individuals taking blood thinners should also exercise caution. Moringa can mildly thin the blood. Therefore, please consult your doctor before adding it to your herbal collection.
Please don’t mix it with heavy detox plans, diuretics, or medications for the thyroid without supervision. Nature is powerful, but she needs a little respect.
***
“How many illnesses can moringa cure, doctor?”
I usually reply, “How many can lifestyle cause?”
That’s the better question.
A sedentary life, poor diet, late nights, stress, and pollution are at the root of modern diseases. Moringa doesn’t replace sleep, laughter, or mindful eating. But it supports all three.
And it does help with belly fat. No, it won’t melt it like a microwave, but when combined with exercise and mindful meals, it improves metabolism and reduces inflammation.
The best way to consume it? Fresh leaves sautéed in ghee with garlic. Or mix moringa powder with warm water and drink it on an empty stomach. You can even make moringa tea—but don’t boil the leaves too long. Heat destroys delicate nutrients, such as vitamin C. This is why I don’t recommend decoctions or kashaya with moringa.
Moringa works well with pepper, ginger, and garlic. Avoid combining it with milk or curd. It’s not paneer butter moringa, okay?
***
Once, a retired engineer came to me with a stack of printouts. “Doctor, I researched moringa. It has vitamin B12. So I threw away my supplements.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Sir, B12 in plants is negligible unless fortified. And your nerves need more than internet enthusiasm.”
He smiled sheepishly. “So what do I do now?”
“Eat eggs. Or if you’re vegetarian, take a proper B12 supplement. Moringa helps, but it doesn’t perform solo magic.”
***
I’ve seen patients with high creatinine, uric acid, and poor liver function improve with moringa, especially when combined with Ayurvedic medicines and diet. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties support kidney and liver health, but again, with proper supervision.
Veins, skin, hair, immunity, blood sugar, blood pressure—moringa’s reach is wide. But no single herb is a panacea. Ayurveda always emphasises balance, not blind faith.
***
Is moringa better than turmeric? That’s like asking if Sachin is better than Dravid. Both are legends. Turmeric is the king of inflammation; moringa is the queen of nourishment. Use both wisely. They are teammates, not competitors.
***
And here’s my final anecdote.
One day, my assistant Ganesh walked in with a terrible hangover. I handed him a moringa juice shot with lemon and black salt.
He gulped it down and said, “Ayyo, tastes like pond water, sir.”
One hour later, he was sweeping the clinic, singing old Rajkumar songs.
“What’s this magic, doctor?”
“Moringa, my friend. The detox agent your liver was praying for.”
***
Moringa is not a miracle cure for all diseases. It’s a miracle because it reminds us that simple things, like leaves growing in your backyard, can restore balance, strength, and vitality.
You don’t need to import health from Germany. Sometimes, it’s swaying outside your kitchen window, waiting for you to rediscover it.
So chew a few leaves, make some chutney, oil your scalp, and smile.
If moringa could speak, it would probably say—‘Don’t hype me, just use me!’
1 comment
[…] In my last blog post, I raved about moringa, a superfood that can help you take control of your health. But it seems some of you, like my patient Anju, still have doubts […]