Malunggay, also known as moringa in English, is a common tree in the Philippines. You’ll often find malunggay trees in backyard farms of growing on their own in empty lots in rural areas. It’s also called the miracle tree because of its numerous health benefits, which are mostly derived from its small, circular leaves.
The health benefits of malunggay are common knowledge among people who grew up with one in their neighborhood, but you may not have had the good fortune to have done so. If you are looking for natural and organic ways to boost your body and improve your well-being, the malunggay tree has your back.
Learn about some of the health benefits of malunggay as well as how you can use this plant properly.
What are the Health Benefits of Malunggay?
Malunggay has so many health benefits it should be classified as a superfood like chia seeds. Here are just some of the health benefits malunggay can give you if you incorporate it into your diet.
- Rich in Vitamin A
The leaves of the malunggay tree are just brimming with vitamins and minerals, one of which is vitamin A. This chemical is mostly associated with great eyesight, but its also important for fostering great cellular growth and building a great immune system.
- Full of Antioxidants
Aside from vitamin A, malunggay is full of antioxidants. These are substances famed for reducing the toxic compounds in the body and helping you stay healthier. Among the antioxidants found in malunggay are vitamin C, quercetin and beta carotene. Quercetin is a substance that can help reduce your blood pressure in sufficient quantities.
- Help Manage Cholesterol
Studies show that consuming malunggay can help you manage your cholesterol levels. According to experts, the substances found in malunggay act like those in almonds and flaxseeds. Thanks to their unique compositions, they can help reduce your body’s cholesterol, protecting you from all manner of heart diseases and other cardiovascular complications.
- Reduces Different Inflammations
Finally, malunggay extract can have anti-inflammatory properties. This means it can be very helpful for people with chronic conditions like cancer or different types of heart disease. In some instances, people can use malunggay paste as a salve for wounds and other injuries. Thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties, the wound can remain manageable and heal much easier.
How Can You Use Malunggay?
If you didn’t grow up with a malunggay tree in the backyard, you may be unfamiliar on how to make the most out of this miraculous plant.
Here are a handful of ways you can incorporate this wonderful plant into your diet and reap its plentiful health benefits.
- Incorporate in Food
The most common method for harvesting the benefits of malunggay is by putting it into your food. Thankfully, malunggay is an incredibly versatile ingredient and can be incorporated into your diet through a variety of ways. First, you could put it into a mongo dish, which is yet another immune-system boosting food. Or you could add it into your standard sopas to give it another healthy ingredient. It’s also a key ingredient for really good tinola and gives it a slightly bitter but palatable flavor.
- Turn into Tea
Some people harvest the leaves of the malunggay tree and dry them into a kind of tea. Malunggay tea is very bitter and has a strong medicinal odor, not unlike chamomile tea. If you want to make it more palatable without making it less healthy, a splash of honey can make it go down the hatch a lot easier.
- Make into Paste
If you want to turn malunggay into a topical ointment, you can get a handful of leaves and mash it into a thick paste with a mortar and pestle. This paste can dry out quickly so if you want it to remain moist for longer, you may want to add a dollop of coconut oil. Malunggay paste can be applied on wounds to reduce inflammation and help the flesh heal faster.
- Buy in Powdered Pills
Finally, you could always find malunggay pills in most drugstores. These products typically contained dried and powdered malunggay leaves. The drying process can make them a little less effective than their fresh counterparts, but they still retain the enormous amount of vitamins and minerals.
Malunggay is a miraculous plant, full of substances that can give your immune system a much-needed boost. If the past year has taught you anything, it should be the importance of improving your well-being. So do yourself a favor and try to find some fresh malunggay today.
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