Looking good translates to feeling good!
Lucky for us, Mother Nature provides us with plenty of natural beauty enhancers. If you’d like to bypass chemical products and opt for something natural, you’re sure to stumble upon moringa for skin and hair.
The magic of moringa is massive; beyond its ability to heal pain and build muscle, it has plenty of benefits for external use, too. Among these, moringa skin benefits and hair-improving properties take the prize.
Don’t believe us? Hear from the experts! Jessie Cheung, a board-certified dermatologist, says the antioxidants in moringa supplements prevent skin damage and “help to ‘put out the fires' in our skin that would otherwise lead to skin aging”.
Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on moringa, its benefits, and how to use it!
What Is Moringa?
Moringa is an herb obtained from the trees of Moringa Oleifera, native to the continents of Asia and Africa. The tree can grow as tall as two meters, and features long, oval-shaped leaves with a thick, white bark. It also has pods up to 18 inches in length (also where it gets its name of the drumstick tree).
Moringa is packed with minerals, vitamins, moisturizing fatty acids, and antioxidants, rightfully earning it the name “jack of all trades”. Other names for this plant are the miracle tree, horseradish tree, ben oil tree, and benzolive tree.
Along with being consumed, moringa is extensively used as an oil and as an ingredient of skin creams, shampoos, and perfumes. It is also commonly used in traditional medicine as well as animal feed.
Health Benefits Of Moringa
Before we discover moringa skin benefits, let’s briefly learn about its health benefits when consumed.
Improves Immunity
Owing to its nutrient content of vitamins A, C, and B1, moringa has the potential to improve immunity by protecting cells from pathogens. This has been tested and proven in rats and mice.
Improves Bone Health
Moringa is a good source of calcium and phosphorous, both of which are integral for bones. As such, consuming moringa on a regular basis can improve bone health.
Improves Heart Health
Moringa is believed to reduce cholesterol levels and control blood pressure. This has been proved in animal studies, too.
Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels
The plant-based compounds found in moringa can control blood sugar levels and potentially lower them in diabetic patients.
Moringa Benefits For Skin
Moringa is hydrating, but beyond that, it has plenty of other benefits for the skin. “The oil is loaded with omega fatty acids and antioxidants, which have a variety of benefits to the skin from soothing irritation to reducing fine lines and wrinkles”, says dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson.
Boosts Collagen
Moringa contains incredibly high amounts of vitamin C (approximately seven times more than oranges). This vitamin helps the skin create collagen, an essential element of human skin. The boosted formation of collagen, in turn, supports the skin’s ability to repair itself and maintain its youth.
Prevents Early Signs Of Aging
Moringa revitalizes the skin and supports anti-aging effects. In addition to boosting collagen formation, moringa also provides protection against enzymes that degrade collagen as we age. This helps the skin remain firm and prevents it from getting saggy.
Additionally, moringa has a high level of antioxidants, including a variety of vitamins. Vitamins A, B, and C, especially help with neutralizing free radicals (from pollution and UV radiation) that damage the skin.
Helps Manage Acne
Moringa also has antibacterial properties. It takes over the sebaceous glands in the skin and controls sebum (oil) production. Because sebum can mix with dead skin cells and cause breakouts, this controlled sebum production reduces the tendency to form pimples.
Moreover, the miracle tree’s antioxidant properties manage hormonal imbalances in the skin that may cause inflammation. It purifies the skin and prevents it from absorbing dirt and germs.
Suitable For All Skin Types
The best part about moringa? It is suitable for all skin types!
For oily skin, moringa’s high antioxidant content reduces the factors (e.g., inflammation) that contribute to oil production. At the same time, people with dry skin can benefit from it as well. The herb contains vitamin B, which attracts water to the surface of the skin. As such, it seeps into the skin and restores moisture.
Helps With Dry Cuticles
Moringa (in its oil form) also helps improve nail and hand health. It nourishes dry and cracked cuticles and deeply moisturizes the hands, preventing itchy patches of skin and infections.
Moringa Benefits For Hair
In addition to moringa skin benefits, the plant holds numerous advantages for the hair, too. Many of its elements benefit hair health, as discussed below.
Promotes Hair Growth
Moringa contains vitamin A, which contributes to the growth of healthy cells and tissues (including the hair). Its vitamin B content aids red blood cells carrying nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles and scalp, allowing the hair follicles to grow healthy. Likewise, its content of omega-3 fatty acids and iron also boosts hair growth.
Prevents Hair Loss & Premature Greying
Free radicals cause oxidative stress, which results in premature greying of hair and hair loss. Moringa contains antioxidants that fight these free radicals, thus overcoming the problem. Of these antioxidants, vitamin C takes care of future damage, while vitamin E repairs any existing damage.
Helps Maintain Hair Follicle Health
Moringa contains vitamin A. Consuming moringa leaf powder as a supplement helps replenish levels of this vitamin, which in turn maintains optimal hair follicle health.
Improves Scalp Health
Moringa is high in oleic acid (a type of fatty acid). This helps cleanse your scalp without removing the moisture. The plant’s anti-inflammatory properties also prevent various problems, such as scalp scaling.
Improves Hair Elasticity
Moringa is known to breathe life into dull hair. It contains behenic acid that naturally conditions the hair, makes it shiny, and improves elasticity.
Nourishes The Hair
The miracle tree has a high content of zinc. This keeps the oil glands healthy, moisturizes the scalp, and keeps it from drying. As a result, the hair is deeply nourished.
Keeps Problems At Bay
Finally, moringa has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, keeping many hair problems at bay. These include psoriasis, dandruff, and bacterial blisters.
Moringa Benefits For Body
The magic doesn’t end with utilizing moringa for skin and hair! The ‘plant that never dies’ also has several other benefits for the body, including:
Improves Well-Being
Moringa is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, essential for general well-being. They also help counteract depression and anxiety. Vitamin B, in particular, is integral to maintaining high energy levels, keeping you active throughout the day.
Eases Inflammation
The plant has the capability to alleviate symptoms related to chronic inflammation. As such, they’re effective in helping with injuries and conditions such as arthritis. Its ability to scavenge free radicals also lowers the probability of developing chronic diseases.
Helps With Digestion
Moringa can be consumed (as a supplement or by blending it into a juice) to aid digestive health. In that regard, it helps soothe upset stomachs promoting better digestion.
Aids Post-Workout Recovery
The miracle tree is a rich source of protein. This means it helps repair and build muscle after a hefty workout, aiding in post-workout recovery.
Acts As A Pre-Workout Supplement
Because moringa has plenty of antioxidants, it has the capability to help with muscle tissue and damage. This qualifies it as an optimal pre-workout supplement, too.
How To Use Moringa For Better Skin and Hair
Moringa is not only diverse in its nutrients and massive in benefits — it’s also versatile in its uses! There are numerous ways you can leverage the goodness of moringa for skin and hair, with some of the most notable ones given below.
Diet
Incorporating moringa, an all-natural superfood ingredient, into your diet is one way of making the most of its benefits. Here are our top picks:
- Mix it into a drink (coconut water, smoothie, or fresh juice) and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning. Tip: If you’re mixing it in plain water, consider adding lemon and honey to make it flavorful.
- Sprinkle it onto soups, salads, roasted vegetables, eggs, and pasta.
- Sip on it as tea. Add moringa leaves/powder, ginger, and turmeric in boiling water, or purchase moringa-infused teas.
- Stir moringa powder into sauces, dips, and stews.
- Add it to your cookie and brownie mixtures — and bake!
If you’re having a sweet tooth and want to make it a tad bit healthier, you can even sprinkle moringa powder onto your ice cream.
All the aforementioned ways of infusing the green herb into your diet include the traditional recipe, just with a dash of moringa (can be in powder or leaf form, depending on the recipe and your preference).
Skincare and Homemade Skincare
To avail moringa skin benefits, it’s ideal to use the plant externally. In that regard, here are a few ways you can adopt:
- Create a facial mask: Mix moringa powder, honey, and lemon juice (one tablespoon each) into a mashed avocado. Apply the mixture evenly to dry skin and rinse thoroughly after 20 minutes.
- Use moringa oil: Massage moringa oil onto your skin and let it soak in. You can use it for the hair, cuticles, and lips, too.
- Put together a scrub: Combine one tablespoon of moringa powder and one teaspoon of oatmeal into a few drops of rosewater. Apply to the face and gently scrub off when semi-dry.
- Create a hair mask: Mix one tablespoon of moringa oil into a mashed avocado. You may add lemon juice as well. Massage the mixture onto a scalp and leave it for 30 minutes with a shower cap on. Rinse with regular shampoo.
FAQs
Is drinking moringa tea good for skin?
Yes, drinking moringa tea fantastic for the skin! It builds collagen, helps the skin in self-repair, fights signs of aging, and controls acne breakouts. As such, you can expect to look (and feel) your best with the use of moringa. The best part is, it is suitable for all skin types, including oily, dry, and everything in between.
Is moringa good for anti-aging?
Yes, moringa helps fight symptoms of aging skin. Its vitamin C content aids collagen formation, ensuring the skin remains firm. Moreover, it fights the free radicals (found in sunlight) that can potentially damage the skin and cause it to age.
What happens when you consume moringa everyday?
One word: magic! In addition to using moringa for skin and hair benefits, moringa leaves are highly nutritious and positively affect the health. You can expect lower levels of blood cholesterol and sugar, flawless skin, shiny and bouncy hair, and a higher level of general well-being.
Conclusion
Moringa is called ‘the miracle tree’ for a reason! It holds a multitude of health benefits and is incredibly easy to incorporate into your diet. Whether you’re aiming to avail moringa skin benefits or looking for haircare remedies, the ‘plant that never dies’ has your back. It will make you feel better both inside and out, physically and emotionally.
So, what are you waiting for? Add moringa to your grocery list (or order it online) and get ready to use moringa for skin and hair — and general health and well-being!
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