Moringa 101

Moringa is one of the herbal industry’s latest darlings, appearing in everything from supplement powders and capsules, to oils and tinctures. While this ancient herb may be attracting a new audience here in North America, it has long been celebrated in the sub-Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh for its strong, nutritive, and protective abilities when eaten.

The moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) may be native to the sub-Himalayan countries, but it has since spread throughout the world, from parts of Africa and South Asia to South America—all hot, dry climates. This perennial softwood, commonly known as “The Wonder Tree,” manages to thrive in drought-like conditions, sometimes growing as fast as a foot per month and as high as 20-40 feet! As a result of its rapid growth, local communities use this plant to help combat deforestation and erosion, and as an inexpensive and sustainable building material.

When eaten, moringa is said to rival other superfoods like kale as a great source of nutrients—something early humans likely learned from animals, who feed off the tree’s roots and branches. At the end of the growing season, when the tree’s oval-shaped leaves are fully developed, local communities use it as a source of vitamins, minerals, and protein when food is scarce, often preparing it like spinach in traditional vegetable dishes. Farmers sometimes use its dried seed pods as fertilizer for their fields and its pulp to filter their water.

As an herbal medicine, moringa has been featured in Ayurveda, Unani, and other healing traditions around the world. Used for many different purposes, moringa’s strengthening, nutritive and protective abilities make it a go-to herb of many healers throughout its growing regions. Our Moringa with Spearmint & Sage tea taps into this time-honored tradition, harnessing the power of its leaves for a minty lift to contribute to a healthier you,* making this the perfect tea for every day sipping and a tasty palate refresher.