5 ways to use moringa leaves
What's the story
Often termed a superfood, moringa leaves are becoming increasingly popular across Africa for their nutritional benefits. Rich in vitamins and minerals, these leaves serve as a great resource for boosting health and well-being. Here, we list five innovative ways to include moringa leaves in your daily life in Africa. From culinary to health applications, these methods showcase the versatility of this amazing plant.
Smoothies
Nutrient-rich smoothies
You can also blend moringa leaves into smoothies for a nutrient-rich drink. Just add a handful of fresh/dried moringa leaves to bananas/mangoes and enjoy a healthy drink loaded with vitamins A and C, calcium, and potassium. This is a particularly popular method for those seeking a quick way to boost their daily intake of essential nutrients without drastically changing their diet.
Herbal teas
Herbal teas for wellness
Brewing moringa leaves into herbal tea is another innovative use that promotes wellness. The tea offers antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and support immune function. To prepare the tea, simply steep dried moringa leaves in hot water for several minutes before straining. This soothing beverage can be enjoyed hot or cold and serves as an excellent alternative to caffeinated drinks.
Baked goods
Fortified baked goods
Incorporating moringa powder into baked goods is a great way to boost their nutritional value. By adding small amounts of powdered moringa leaves into the recipes for bread, muffins, or cookies, bakers can up the fiber content while giving additional vitamins and minerals. This not only boosts the health benefits of the baked items but also introduces the consumers to new flavors.
Skin care
Natural skin care products
Moringa leaves are used in natural skin care products, too, owing to their anti-inflammatory properties. By making pastes or oils out of crushed moringa leaves combined with carrier oils like coconut oil or shea butter, one can apply the mixture topically as moisturizers or for the treatment of minor skin irritations. This way, you benefit from the plant's natural compounds without relying on synthetic ingredients.
Animal feed
Animal feed supplementation
Farmers have successfully used moringa leaves as a supplement in animal feed. This is because of its high protein content, which aids growth and development in livestock like goats. By drying the leaves thoroughly before grinding them into powder form, farmers ensure animals get balanced nutrition. This yields possibly improved productivity rates over time.