What Is Moringa?

In this article

• What exactly is moringa?
• Why is it called the drumstick tree or horseradish tree?
• Where does Moringa oleifera grow?
• Which parts of the tree are used?
• Why has moringa become popular?
• What form is sold by Forest Super Foods?
• How is moringa different from a “greens powder”?

What exactly is moringa?

Moringa is the common name most often used for Moringa oleifera, a leafy tree in the Moringaceae family. It grows quickly in warm climates and has small green leaflets, pale flowers and distinctive long seed pods.

The tree has a long history of use in the Indian subcontinent and is now cultivated across many tropical and subtropical regions. Forest Super Foods uses Moringa oleifera leaf only.

Why is it called the drumstick tree or horseradish tree?

Moringa has collected several common names over time. “Drumstick tree” refers to the long narrow pods. “Horseradish tree” refers to the pungent root, while “ben oil tree” refers to the oil traditionally pressed from its seeds.

These names describe different parts of the same tree, which is why a supplement label should always tell you exactly which plant part it contains.

Where does Moringa oleifera grow?

Moringa oleifera is native to the Indian subcontinent but now grows throughout many parts of Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and the Pacific. It generally prefers full sun, warmth and freely draining soil.

Forest Super Foods currently sources its moringa leaf from Erode in Tamil Nadu, India.

Which parts of the tree are used?

Leaves, pods, seeds and seed oil have all been used in different cultural and practical settings. Roots and bark also appear in traditional records, but they are different materials with different constituents.

Forest Super Foods Moringa Capsules contain only the leaf, so the nutritional and traditional information on this hub is focused on Moringa oleifera leaf.

Why has moringa become popular?

Moringa brings together several things people look for in a botanical: a long traditional history, a naturally complex whole-leaf composition and a simple plant-based format.

Rather than treating moringa as a miracle ingredient, it is more useful to look at what is actually in the product, how it has been processed and the indications attached to the Australian listed medicine.

What form is sold by Forest Super Foods?

Forest Super Foods Moringa is a TGA-listed capsule medicine, AUST L 460360. Each capsule contains 500 mg of Moringa oleifera leaf powder in a plant-based hypromellose capsule.

The leaf is organically grown, freeze-dried, finely milled and tested before encapsulation.

How is moringa different from a “greens powder”?

A greens powder is usually a blend category. It can contain grasses, algae, vegetables, fruit powders, herbs or added nutrients. Moringa is one specific botanical species and, in the Forest Super Foods product, one specific plant part: the leaf.

In Australia there is also an important regulatory difference. Moringa oleifera is not currently permitted for retail sale as a food ingredient, while Forest Super Foods Moringa is supplied as a listed medicine.

Forest Super Foods Moringa Capsules

500 mg whole Moringa oleifera leaf per capsule. Organically grown, freeze-dried, finely milled, tested and TGA-listed as AUST L 460360.