Virtually every part of the plant is edible and has medicinal qualities, and most parts can be consumed either raw or cooked. Globally, the leaves, roots, pods and flowers are most typically consumed. You can also harvest the plant as a microgreen.
As noted in the mini-review "Health Benefits of Moringa Oleifera," published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention (APJCP) in 2014:
- "Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose herbal plant used as human food and an alternative for medicinal purposes worldwide. It has been identified by researchers as a plant with numerous health benefits including nutritional and medicinal advantages.
- Moringa oleifera contains essential amino acids, carotenoids in leaves, and components with nutraceutical properties … An important factor that accounts for the medicinal uses of Moringa oleifera is its very wide range of vital antioxidants, antibiotics and nutrients including vitamins and minerals. Almost all parts from Moringa can be used as a source for nutrition with other useful values."
Moringa is an excellent source of protein (dried leaves containing 30.3% crude protein and 19 amino acids), fatty acids (44.57% being a-linolenic acid), beta-carotene, phenolics, zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, kaempferol, flavonoids and isothiocyanates.
As noted in a 2011 paper on the nutritional composition of Moringa leaves, "The values of amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamin profiles reflect a desirable nutritional balance." A 2007 paper in Phytotherapy Research describes Moringa's benefits, noting that:
- "… [T]he leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine …"
- Other studies report Moringa can help protect liver, kidney, heart, testes and lung health, has analgesic and antiulcer activity, offers protection against radiation, and helps modulate your immune system. Research has also confirmed Moringa has a very high degree of safety.