Intrigued by Chef Jiwa Raga’s new superfood discovery, I did some research to uncover exactly what MORINGA is and found that it’s ‘MAGIC,’ derived from the Moringa OLEIFERA TREE, native to South Asia.

The leaves were once consumed by the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians and have been used for centuries in traditional medicine across various cultures. In the Ayurvedic medical system, it is believed that MORINGA can cure or prevent up to 300 diseases, and more recently, findings from over 1,300 different modern scientific studies have begun to confirm these claims.

WHY YOU SHOULD USE MORINGA?
Chef Jiwa Raga – Executive Chef at The Lombok Lodge for over 12 years – proudly explains why you should opt for Moringa:

“…Moringa leaves can be incorporated into your diet in various ways. If you’ve hit your limit with matcha drinks and foods, it’s time to get acquainted with its green powder variant: moringa tea. It’s not exactly new (nor was matcha), and it’s been used for years in Asia and Africa as a medicinal herb. Moringa might resemble matcha and have a similar name, but it boasts entirely different health claims and tastes quite different — although the hype is just as real…”

“…Moringa is a powdered tea made from dried moringa tree leaves. Nutritionally, the tea is packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s richer in fiber than matcha, contains all nine essential amino acids, and is loaded with proteins and vitamins A, C, and E. Moringa, used as an herbal remedy, alleviates symptoms of arthritis, epilepsy, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney stones. Moringa leaves are rich in proteins, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and iron. Moringa can help combat skin issues.

Moringa powder has many impressive health benefits. Few plants can boast such a rich nutritional composition. The powder is rich in vitamins A and C, carotenoids, amino acids, polyphenols, potassium, proteins, calcium, and much more. In fact, it would probably be easier to list the nutrients the plant doesn’t possess than those it does. This is where moringa surpasses matcha.

Moringa is also rich in: Calcium – Good for your bones. Iron – Enhances the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Copper – Helps maintain immune function and healthy blood vessels. Vitamin A – Keeps your eyes healthy. Magnesium – Fights depression and reduces inflammation. Zinc – Boosts immune function.

The many health benefits of MORINGA that this magical powder reportedly offers are extensive. It is said to rival turmeric with its anti-inflammatory effects and positively impact the digestive system…”

MORINGA WONDER TEA & HEALTH BENEFITS
Weight Loss, Heart Health, and Other Health Benefits You Can’t Miss. MORINGA is gaining popularity today; its healing properties have long been praised in Ayurvedic medicine. Applied externally or taken internally, it is said to cure various ailments. Moringa powder is made from ground plant leaves. MORINGA, also known as drumstick, is also quite popular due to the super popular ‘WONDER TEA.’ This tea is made from the leaves of moringa, a favorite among many health-conscious individuals. It helps with fat loss, regulates blood pressure, and also improves the quality of hair and skin. Moringa leaves can also be consumed with warm water combined with lemon and honey.

DIABETICS
MORINGA leaves are rich in proteins, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and iron. MORINGA leaves contain Quercetin, an antioxidant that helps lower blood pressure, and another antioxidant, Chlorogenic Acid, which stabilizes blood sugar levels. The Chlorogenic Acid found in MORINGA can help the body process sugar better and may also affect insulin.”

WEIGHT LOSS
MORINGA is also known as the ‘Miracle Plant.’ The leaves of the tree contain abundant vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols, and they can indeed help accelerate your weight loss goals. 100 g of moringa powder contains 34 g of fiber. Fiber, especially soluble fiber, is recommended for people who want to lose weight because it suppresses appetite and makes you eat less than usual. Fiber also lowers the level of hunger-inducing hormones the body produces.

SKINCARE
MORINGA leaves are ground into powder to make them last longer during transport to other parts of the world. Oil from the seeds is often used in skincare, but the leaves (and the powder made from them) contain the most nutrients.

HORMONE REGULATION
One of the most praised benefits of MORINGA powders and teas is the hormone-regulating effect. Like matcha, MORINGA is packed with antioxidants, making it a radical-fighting powerhouse for the body and mind. Oxidative stress can damage the skin and internal organs, so superfoods rich in antioxidants are essential for keeping the immune system functioning at its highest level. While MORINGA has many antioxidants on its own, matcha has more EGCG and caffeine (Moringa doesn’t). It also tastes better.

CANCER FIGHTING
Polyphenols in MORINGA leaves can reduce your risk of conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Other rich sources of polyphenols include fruits, vegetables, tea, and coffee — one of the reasons why diets rich in these foods are linked to better health.

ARE THERE ANY DOWNSIDES TO USING MORINGA
The biggest downside of using MORINGA is the taste. It’s often called the “horseradish tree” because of the similarity of the roots, as well as the flavor. While matcha lovers will add the green tea powder to lattes, smoothies, and countless types of breakfast bowls, you’ll mostly see moringa users adding it to their smoothies in small doses. The typical dose of moringa powder is ½ teaspoon per day.

Many people may experience diuretic effects if they take too much of the powder. The health benefits certainly make up for the not-so-pleasant taste, especially when covered by a delicious smoothie. But there’s no reason to use it every day for an extended period.

THE BATTLE OF THE GREENS – MORINGA VS. OTHER SUPERFOODS
Indeed, there is a ‘Battle of the Greens,’ and MORINGA dominates it. Moringa is an undefeated Nutrition Champion!

Try it yourself. A diet full of kale, spinach, matcha, and whatever the next “it” food may be, is certainly a diet worth having. But imagine how much further you can take your health if you add MORINGA to your daily routine. Imagine all the amino acids working to support your brain, tissue, and skin, so you become a radiant ray of sunshine in all your endeavors. Imagine the ease with which you can get through your day while antioxidants diligently fight the free radicals that come your way. MORINGA is the clear winner in the Battle of the Greens by an overwhelming majority. Let’s take a look at the fight;

#1 MORINGA VS. KALE
Kale is a leafy green vegetable closely related to Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. It can be found in many places around the world, even in the Organic Garden of The Lombok Lodge Private Villa Estate. Kale is a versatile food that can be served steamed, cooked, or raw.

Nutritionally, kale is known for its high levels of iron, calcium, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. It’s also a good source of plant-based protein. Additionally, the carotenoids and phytochemicals in kale can protect against certain diseases, including cancer. Kale came into the spotlight nearly ten years ago and has since been a “Superfood,” and for good reason. Kale is packed with iron and is an incredible source of antioxidants. It offers a serious dose of fiber and has many cancer-fighting properties. However, MORINGA has even more to offer.

MORINGA contains twice as much protein as kale and four times the calcium. It has six times more iron and nearly double the fiber. MORINGA is also a better source of B vitamins and, let’s be honest, is much more versatile.

#2 MORINGA VS. SPINACH
In case you didn’t know, March 26th is National Spinach Day… so get ready! Before you get too excited about eating your famous sailor’s favorite treat, consider trying MORINGA! Your mom told you that spinach is good for you, Popeye swears by it, Shirley Temple sings about it in “You Gotta Eat Your Spinach, Baby,” and even Urban Dictionary defines “Eat Your Spinach” as ‘taking care of your body.’

Throughout pop culture, spinach has been drilled into our minds as the ultimate green superfood. That was until kale came onto our radar. OR – better yet, until MORINGA decided to be the biggest player on the block. In the first round, MORINGA delivered a decisive knockout blow to Spinach.

For some reason, spinach is known as a great source of iron, but the truth is there’s at least one green source of iron that blows spinach out of the water. You guessed it: MORINGA. Just one serving of MORINGA POWDER gives you even half of your daily recommended iron!

Not only that, but MORINGA also has more calcium, protein, B vitamins, and vitamin C than spinach. While spinach is definitely a great ingredient for your green smoothies, moringa always seems to be a better choice.

#3 MORINGA VS. MATCHA
Like matcha, MORINGA powder is often added to smoothie recipes to reap the many health benefits, but you can even find tea bags for an easy way to get a daily dose of the superstar leaves. Matcha; the antioxidants, make Matcha super healthy. But due to the high price and limited availability, using MORINGA is highly recommended. Because MORINGA has “10 times more fiber, 30 times more protein, and 100 times more calcium” than matcha.

Matcha is the current obsession worldwide. Matcha is a super trendy green tea that offers numerous benefits. It’s especially known for its extensive list of antioxidants, all of which fight free radicals and prevent cancer. Yet, MORINGA has more.

Matcha is mainly known for its cancer-fighting antioxidant catechin, which is truthfully quite impressive. However, MORINGA is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, powerful antioxidants that are abundant in every serving of moringa. Even more than that are the following: beta-carotene (and other carotenoids) for vision support and healthy skin; – Lycopene for prostate support – Flavonoids for cardiovascular support; – Proanthocyanidins for *ahem* urinary tract support – Astaxanthin for radiant skin and healthy brains.

MORINGA AT THE LOMBOK LODGE

At The Lombok Lodge Hotel Organic Tea Garden, Medana Bay
In the Organic Garden of The Lombok Lodge Private Villa Estate, Gondang Village
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Moringa Smoothie Bowl – Breakfast Menu
Adele’s SirtFood Breakfast Juice with Moringa – Sirtfood Menu – Moringa Gazpacho for Lunch – The Lombok Lodge – Moringa Miracle Tea – Afternoon Tea Menu
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Moringa Scrub at The Lombok Lodge Spa
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Fresh Moringa Powder – available at The Lombok Lodge Boutique

Enjoy Moringa!
Stay happy! Stay healthy!

Ben
Owner of The Lombok Lodge Hospitality Group

*Disclaimer: The information in this blog post is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for treatment by a healthcare professional. Due to unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine whether the information is appropriate for their situation.*