Properties: Acrid, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Liver and Kidney
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Leaves: Strengthens the Spleen and Eliminates Dampness, expels Cold and resolve Toxicity
Abdominal distension, abdominal pain and diarrhoea due to Dampness obstructing the Qi
Vaginitis, excess discharge
Anaemia
Headaches, swollen glands, bronchitis (topically as a poultice)
- Seeds and Fruit: Tonify the Spleen and eliminate Dampness
Low appetite, bloating, heavy sensation in the limbs
- Root bark: Eliminate Wind, Strengthen the Stomach and Spleen, support Yang, promote urination
Toothache, earache, joint pain
Gastrointestinal problems, diarrhoea, dysentery, ulcers
Difficult urination
High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease
Skin problems
- Stem bark: Promotes healing and resolves Toxicity
Wounds and skin infections
- Flower: Expel Cold and benefit the eyes
Traditional uses from Haiti and India
Suggested Daily Dosage: 500 mg of leaf extract or 3g of seeds. Often the leaves are eaten as food, cooked with rice or used as herbs in stews.
Cautions: Dosages 3-4 times the recommended amount may be genotoxic and promote cancer formation.
Notes:
TCM properties were taken from Baidu.com and Kanpo Bliss (the latter now expired).
Further information was taken from Pareek et al. (2023): Moringa oleifera: An Updated Comprehensive Review ... with TCM indications inferred from uses.
Dosages and cautions were taken from https://examine.com/supplements/moringa-oleifera/.
Its effects appear to be due to being a highly nutritious and easy to grow crop making it valuable in places with food shortages.
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
