Spice up your summer with exotic Moringa tea

During a long day of wandering the forest, in search of edible grains and herbs, divine farmer Shennong – the mythical Chinese inventor of agriculture – accidentally poisoned himself. 72 times no less!

But, before the poisons could end his life, a leaf drifted into his mouth. He started to chew on it and it revived him. That’s how we discovered tea, or so the ancient legend goes.

The Original Globetrotter

Tea doesn’t actually cure poisonings, but the story of Shennong clearly highlights tea’s importance to ancient China, a place said to be home to the world’s oldest cultivated tea tree (some 3,200 years ago). That original Chinese tea plant is the same type that’s grown around the world today yet, in the beginning, it was consumed quite differently. The leaves were eaten as a vegetable or cooked with grain porridge.

Tea shifted from food to drink 1,500 ago, when people concluded that a combination of heat and moisture was able to create a far more complex and varied taste out of the leafy green.

Tea became the subject of books and poetry, the favourite drink of emperors and an inspiration source for artists. They would draw extravagant, unique pictures in the foam of the tea – much like the espresso artists you can see in many coffee shops today. With such a rich history it’s no wonder tea has reached far and wide – we find it from China, to Japan, to India, to Africa, to Middle East and Latin America.

‘Tired blood’ Remedy

After decades of junk food addictions and bad eating habits, the modern man needs help. In addition, rising temperatures worldwide make refreshing, healthy drinks a priority.

What about moringa?

This sub-Himalayan native, which sees all its parts – leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds and root – used for medicinal purposes, helps with a variety of ailments including the so called ‘tired blood’ (or anaemia), the silent oppressor of today. Moringa contains proteins, vitamins (B6, C, A), minerals (iron, magnesium), antioxidants (Quercetin & Chlorogenic acid) and it also seems to help protect cells from damage. So why not make it part of your diet?

Moringa? Yes please!

Moringa tea benefits are hard to ignore. Known by 100 different names, in several languages, Moringa boosts some 90+ protective compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. A detailed plant profile would definitely include the following features:

  • High in Antioxidants
    Moringa is rich in antioxidants (i.e vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin and chlorogenic acid) that work to slow down the absorption of sugar by cells and, by consequence, lower blood sugar levels. Antioxidants are a key when it comes to protecting the body from inflammation-related diseases such as cancers, heart disease, arthritis and even Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Reduces Inflammation
    The isothiocyanates, flavonoids and phenolic acids moringa contain have anti-inflammatory properties and are a trustworthy friend in keeping age-related diseases (hypertension, cancers, reducing joint pain etc.) at bay.
  • Improves Digestive Health
    Ayurveda pays attention – it uses moringa to aid in and prevent digestion issues of the modern man such as stomach ulcers, liver disease, yeast infections or digestive infections. Moringa is helpful in digestive health as a result of its effects on the liver and its ability to detox the body of harmful compounds such as heavy metal toxins.
  • Balances Blood Sugar Levels
    The chlorogenic acid (a type of antioxidant) contained in moringa has been shown to help control blood sugar levels. It does so by allowing the cells of the body to absorb, or release, sugar as needed, making it a natural anti-diabetic food.
  • Protects the Liver
    Moringa fights liver damage caused by specific drugs and speeds up the recovery process. It helps restore normal glutathione levels in the body and prevents hepatic lipid peroxidation.
  • Boosts Immunity
    Moringa features immunosuppressive properties, which are extremely helpful with individuals suffering from autoimmune diseases. It can improve antibodies production, allowing new organs and other transplanted material to settle in the body safely.

Conclusion

Moringa tea’s list of benefits goes beyond this brief list and will surely grow larger as modern, alternative medicine gains ground. But one thing is sure: nature’s pharmacy still has surprises in store and some of them are really breathtaking.