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Health & Beauty - Moringa or Merunggai (Moringa Oleifera) are a type of plant originating from tropical and subtropical regions in South Asia. Moringa is classified as a plant that is very easily cultivated because it has a strong survival, able to survive in extreme heat conditions, can grow quickly both in the lowlands and highlands, and can flower throughout the year. The size of the leaves is small, oval-shaped, the stems are small, tend to grow straight and branched, and the tree can grow to a height of 7-11 meters.
Besides being easily cultivated, Moringa leaves are also delicious to be consumed as a vegetable ingredient and has a myriad of health benefits for the body. Even the moringa leaves become one of the plants that are admired by western nations because of its wealth of benefits. Since the 1980s research has been carried out on this plant as a whole from the leaves, stems, fruits to the seeds. From the results of studies have shown that Moringa leaves have good properties as a hepatoprotector, aka liver protector. Moringa leaves also contain antioxidants that are very high and proven to be very good for treating diseases of digestive problems, such as intestinal wounds and gastric sores. With a variety of benefits it has made Moringa leaves are also often used as raw materials for medicines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has named Moringa leaves as a magic tree because this plant is able to provide such great benefits at low prices and easy to obtain. Even the ancient Indian Ayurvedic medical traditions have also used this plant to cure more than 300 types of diseases. The richness of nutrients contained in moringa leaves has a gram ratio which is equivalent to 7x vitamin C in orange fruits, 4x calcium in milk, 2x protein in milk, 4x vitamin A in carrots, and 3x potassium in bananas. The following are the benefits of Moringa leaves for health and beauty:
BENEFITS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA FOR BEAUTY
1. As an Anti-Aging
Moringa leaves contain high antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage due to the effects of free radicals. The smoothed moringa leaves can also be used as a mask to prevent premature aging, reduce wrinkles on the face so that it always looks youthful.
2. Brighten the skin
Moringa leaves have a high vitamin C content equivalent to 7x vitamin C in orange fruits. Vitamin C is very good for brightening the skin and helping to even out skin tone.
3. Tighten the skin
Vitamin C contained in moringa leaves is also able to help increase collagen production which is useful for skin tightening.
4. Disguise black spots on the face
In addition to vitamin C, Moringa leaves are also rich in vitamin E which is useful for treating skin cells damaged by sunburn, and disguising black spots on the face.
5. Moisturises the skin and lips
It also benefits from the vitamin E contained in Moringa leaves. Which is one of the functions of vitamin E is as a natural moisturizer for the skin, as well as preventing lips from becoming dry and chapped.
6. Overcoming acne
Moringa leaves have Anti-Inflammatory properties that can overcome inflammation and swelling due to the appearance of acne. A mixture of essential amino acids, phytonutrients, carotenoids, antioxidants, and natural anti-bacterial compounds contained in Moringa leaves can function as a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine.
7. Detoxification
Consuming Moringa leaves regularly as a delicious vegetable can be useful for cleaning toxins in the body (detoxification). So that the effect on the body that is getting healthier and fitter, repairing damaged organs in the body, and its relationship with beauty that is able to avoid various diseases related to the skin.
BENEFITS OF MORINGA OLEIFERA FOR HEALTH
Besides being useful for beauty treatments, Moringa leaves also have a myriad of benefits for health, as well as for the prevention and cure of various diseases. All of these benefits can be obtained either by consumption for treatment from within, or by smear this Moringa leaf extract for treatment from outside. The following are some of the benefits of Moringa leaves for health:
1. As an Anti-Cancer
The high isothiocyanate, antioxidant and potassium content in Moringa leaves can function to prevent the growth and reproduction of cancer cells in the body. These substances can function as chemopreventive agents, a compound that can prevent and inhibit the development of cancer cells.
2. Overcoming diabetes
Diabetes is a disease caused by high blood sugar levels. These blood sugar levels can be caused by chemical reactions in the body that convert carbohydrate, fat, and protein contents in food into blood sugar due to lack of the hormone insulin. Moringa leaves contain chlorogenic acid which can act as a natural insulin in the body to stabilize blood sugar levels. Besides the content of polyphenols in moringa leaves is also able to inhibit the absorption of glucose in the intestine so that blood sugar levels become more controlled.
3. Caring for kidney health
The kidneys function as an excretion system so that their health is highly dependent on the food and drinks we consume. By consuming healthy foods, the kidneys can automatically work optimally, conversely if we often consume unhealthy foods can burden the kidneys. One of the benefits of Moringa leaves is for detoxification that can cleanse the blood of substances that are toxic so that it can ease the work of the kidneys.
4. Maintain eye health
Moringa leaves contain very high of vitamin A, which is equivalent to 4x vitamin A in carrots. Vitamin A plays an important role in the development and performance of various body organs such as the eyes, skin, growth, and immune system. In addition, various other supporting nutrients on moringa leaves have also been proven to help cure infections in the eye, improve vision, stop widening of the retinal vessels, prevent thickening of the capillary membrane, and be able to inhibit retinal dysfunction.
5. Improve brain function
If you have a problem with a mood that is chaotic, or even have psychological problems such as depression or stress then it's a sign that there is an imbalance of serotonin, dopamine, and neoadrenaline compounds in your brain. Moringa leaves have benefits for maintaining brain function so that the mood and mind remain stable. The high content of vitamin C and vitamin E on the Moringa leaves can fight oxidation which causes degeneration of neurons so that it can improve brain function, normalize compounds in the brain related to memory and emotional control, and maintain psychological stability.
6. Maintain digestive health
One of the benefits of Moringa leaves is as an anti-inflammatory. And some causes of gastrointestinal disorders, among others, are caused by gastric acid (GERD), inflammation of the stomach (gastritis), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). For that we need a powerful anti-inflammatory compound to overcome this problem. By consuming Moringa leaves regularly can be the right solution to improve the digestive system and reduce heartburn/gastric pains symptoms significantly.
7. Prevent heart disease
Moringa leaves contain polyphenols which are very good for preventing heart disease. As quoted from the journal
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity that a number of studies have been conducted on the benefits of polyphenols to prevent coronary heart disease. This happens because polyphenols are able to treat and improve blood vessel function and prevent blood clots.
8. Treat asthma
Research results from a study published by the Journal of Pharmacology in India in 2008 have proven that Moringa seeds can cure bronchial asthma and narrowing of the respiratory tract.
9. Strengthens bones and teeth
Moringa leaves are also rich in minerals such as calcium and phosphorus which are very good for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth. So that by consuming Moringa leaves regularly can meet the nutritional needs for bones and teeth to stay healthy and strong, and can reduce the risk of bone loss due to age.
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