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It seems like every day we are discovering one more superfood. The truth is many of these 'new' miracle plants have been used for centuries in certain parts of the world. One such superfood is moringa, a plant that is hailed as the cure-all for a myriad of ailments.
What Is Mooringa?
Native to Southeast Asia, moringa is a medicinal plant that has long been regarded as a superfood in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is also widely consumed in parts of Africa.
One thing that is unique to moringa is that almost every single part of the plant is edible - from its green leaves and white flowers to its roots and seeds.
What Makes Moringa a Superfood?
Gram for gram, moringa has 25 times the iron in spinach, 17 times the amount of calcium in milk and contains 15 times the potassium in bananas. Not to mention it contains a plethora of antioxidants.
This superfood is used to treat countless illnesses including type 2 diabetes, asthma, gingivitis, cancer and hypertension. It is also considered an aphrodisiac and may boost milk supply in new mothers.
How To Cook with Moringa
In Southeast Asia, moringa is used to make everything from healing soups and curries to vegetable side dishes and teas.
Sambar is a popular lentil soup in South India that requires the use of immature moringa pods known as drumstick. Here’s an awesome recipe you can try:
Murungai Keerai Kootu is another popular dish in South India which calls for the use of fresh moringa leaves. Give this recipe a try:
In the United States, moringa is sold in powdered form which makes it ideal for adding to smoothies, vinaigrettes, stews or even sprinkled over salads.
Here's a quick moringa smoothie recipe you can make at home:
