Botanical Brilliance: The Magic of Moringa For Hair Care

SUMMARY

• Moringa tree, also known as "Miracle Tree", is a powerhouse of nutrients beneficial for hair. 
• It nourishes, strengthens and protects hair strands, promoting healthy hair growth and combating hair loss. 
• Rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids, it moisturizes the scalp, reduces dandruff and adds shine. 
• Moringa oil is versatile and suitable for all hair types, including color-treated and chemically-treated hair. 
• From tea to hair masks, incorporating Moringa into your hair care routine is easy and effective. 

INTRODUCTION

Name

MORINGA // Scientific Name: Moringa Oleifera

Genus: Moringa / Latin: Twisted-Pod (Reference to Morphology of Young Fruit     

Species: Oleifera / Latin: Oil-Bearing

Historical Uses

Commonly known as drumstick tree or horseradish tree, is a plant that belongs to the Moringaceae family. It contains a great number of bioactive compounds, providing the pharmacological properties of the plant extract and contributing to the beneficial effects in humans. The specific effects vary depending on the plant part evaluated. 

Also known as the "miracle tree," and for good reason. The leaves, fruit, sap, oil, roots, bark, seeds, pod and flowers of the tree all have medicinal properties. 

The miracle continues on. Regions of the world most burdened by undernutrition (in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean) all share the ability to grow M. oleifera. For hundreds of years, traditional healers have prescribed different parts of M. oleifera for treatment of skin diseases, respiratory illnesses, ear and dental infections, hypertension, diabetes, cancer treatment and water purification. No wonder it has been promoted for general use as a nutrient dense food source. 

Modern Day Use and Ongoing Research

• Moringa benefits for hair,
• Nutritional supplementation,
• Water purification agent,
• Anti-fibrotic for liver (Hamza et al 2010),
• Anti-Hyperlipidemia (Fahey et al 2005), 
• Anti-Inflammatory (Bennet et al, 2003)
• Anti-Microbial activity agains Staph Aureus and E. Faecalis (Peixoto et al. 2011)
• Anti-Oxidant properties (Du et al. 2010)
• Anti-Hyperglycemic (Tiwari and Roa, 2002)
• Anti-Hypertensive
• Prevention of ocular disease

What Are The Benefits of Moringa For Hair?

Moringa, and more specifically Moringa oil is known as a haircare champion. Packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, along with zing, iron, and essential fatty acids, this plant is the perfect complement to your haircare routine. 

If you deal with dryness, breakage, or just want to make your hair shiny and strong Moringa is a good supplement to your routine.  See why ancient cultures have been leveraging this plant for ages. 

Understanding Moringa and its Nutrient Profile

Ancient cultures, realizing the benefits of this plant in hair care, utilize the leaves, seeds and oil to make various hair treatments. These treatments helped hair grow, treated scalp issues, and improved overall health. 

With a medley of important nutrients, hair health is a foregone conclusion. Vitamins, minerals and strong antioxidants help keep hair healthy. Fatty acids like oleic acid, linoleum acid and behenic acid nourish the scalp and hair. They work to keep moisture in, stopping dryness in its tracks. 

Moringa is also full of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. These amino acids are critical for making hair shafts stronger, and reducing breakage. 

Moringa Oil Antioxidant Effects

Reactive oxygen species are free radicals that oxidize biological molecules and induce damage to cells through this mechanism. This can lead to a plethora of different conditions including diabetes, infections, hypertension, heart failure and many more pathological situations. 

Natural antioxidants are the first choice of consumers and are better than synthetic antioxidants. Quercetin, kaempferol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, isothiocyanate, polyphenols and ruin are just some of the potent antioxidants found in the leaves of Moringa Oleifera. 

Nourishing the Scalp and Hair Follicles

A healthy scalp is important for healthy hair. Moringa oil is great for feeding both the scalp and hair roots. Key ingredients such as Vitamins A, E and zinc provide the right conditions for hair growth. These ingredients may also lead to improved scalp circulation. Improved scalp circulation in turn leads to better delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the hair roots, making sure they get what they need for strong healthy strands. 

Moringa Tree Giving Strength To Hair Strands

Moringa has a strong ability to make hair stronger and healthier. One of the reasons is its richness in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. It protects hair from damage caused by the environment. Vitamin E works by fighting free radicals that can damage hair and cause breakage and split ends. 

Moringa oil also contains behenic acid. This fatty acid covers hair strands, making them more stretchy and strong. The protective layer helps lock moisture in. This makes hair softer, smoother and easier to manage.

Phytonutrient Profile:

Scientific name of major functional ingredients in Moringa and their reported benefits. 

n-Hexadecanoic Acid

• Inhibits Phospholipase A2
• Powerful Anti-Inflammatory

Octadecanoic Acid

• Anti-Inflammatory
• May Be Useful in Treatment of Eczema

 

Beta-Sitosterol

• AntiCancer Properties
• Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
• Hair Growth

Octacosanoic Acid

• Lowers Cholesterol
• Anti-Diabetic Properties

Moringinine

• Anti-Inflammator
• Neuro-Protective, Possible Role In Epilepsy

Isothiocyanate

• Neuroprotective
• Cardioprotective

Isoquercetin

• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anti-Oxidant
• Hair Growth
• Improved Scalp Circulation

Kaempferol

• Hepatoprotective
• Cardioprotective
• Anti-Diabetic

Rhamnetin

• Anti-inflammatory
• Cardioprotective

Gallic Acid and Caffeic Acids

• Neuro-Protective Effects
• Anti-Inflammatory
• May Help To Reduce Weight
• Restores Damaged Hair

RECIPES: Moringa for Hair Benefits

Moringa Tea

Bring one kettle to boil slowly, amount of water up to you. If using fresh Moringa leaves, wash the leaves to remove any sand or grit. Add leaves or powder to the water prior to it boiling. One teaspoon of leaves per cup of water is a good place to start. For powder, follow directions of product obtained. Allow for the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes. Make stronger by adding more leaves or allowing to steep for longer. Add your favorite mixer to customize, honey and lemon anyone?

Moringa Hair Mask

First we prepare the Moringa leaves by washing them. Take the dried leaves and grind or crush them into a fine powder. Mix the powder with a small amount of water to create a Moringa Leaf paste. Add half a cup of coconut oil, aloe vera gel or jojoba oil to the paste. Mix one teaspoon of honey and one of yogurt into the mixture. Gently massage into the scalp. Take your time and enjoy. 

For a healthier shine add mashed avocado. It is full of healthy fats that help strengthen hair strands and add shine. 

Moringa Cocktail

The Moringa Gin and Juice

Ingredients

• One scoop of Moringa powder or grinded Moringa leaves
• 1/2 oz of simple syrup
• Juice: we like grapefruit juice here but feel free to use your favorite
• Gin: 1 1/2 Oz
• Dash of lime

Steps

• Fill a Collins glass with ice and add gin of choice.
• Add Moringa powder. 
• Add grapefruit juice. 
• Add 1/2 oz of simple syrup.
• Stir
• Add a dash of lime for a refreshingly tasty, and healthy, summer drink

Safety First

1. Patch Test: Before using Moringa topical or any botanical-infused product on your hair, perform a patch test on a small area of skin to check for any allergic reactions or irritations. Apply a small amount of the product and wait for 24 hours to see if any adverse reactions occur. 
2. Safe Application: Dilute Moringa with a carrier oil, such as coconut or boba oil, before applying it to your scalp. This helps prevent skin irritation and ensures safe application. 
3. Quality Products: Ensure that you are using high-quality products from reputable sources. Look for products that contain pure Moringa and other botanicals and do not contain any harmful additives or chemicals. Check the ingredient list and choose the products that are free from parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances. 

Botanical Brilliance

Physician and Expert Authored Articles on The Power of Botanicals. 

Current Botanicals Covered Include:

Sage

Aloe

Rosemary

Turmeric

Peppermint

Olive Leaf

Ashwagandha

Saw Palmetto

REFERENCES

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