Meet moringa oleifera. In its native India and Nepal, it's known as "drumstick tree," "miracle tree," and "tree of life"; today it's also grown in Africa, Latin America, and Asia and also goes by the "horseradish tree."

Moringa powder, made from the leaves of the moringa tree1, has a number of science-backed benefits and medicinal uses.

This superfood has been used as a traditional remedy in phytomedicine and ayurvedic healing for thousands of years.

Many of the healthy foods you eat have a single standout nutrient. Think carrots and vitamin A, citrus and vitamin C, nuts and vitamin E. In fact, the leaves are more concentrated in vitamin C2 than oranges. That means moringa can contribute to everything from better vision and immunity to bone health and skin radiance.

Whether you're a vegetarian or just trying to cut down on meat, it's not always easy finding convenient plant-based protein.

Sure, there are lentils and tempeh, but sometimes you just want a quick, no-cook add-in to sprinkle on smoothie bowls or add to soup.

Stress can skew your sex life. It can throw hormone levels off, spiking cortisol and decreasing dopamine to lower libido.

In animal studies, moringa has not only been shown to bring down cortisol levels4, but it may also naturally boost testosterone levels, a known sex drive5 supporter.

Menopause can throw women's hormones out of whack—and make them feel off, but moringa may help.

A study published in the Journal of Food and Science Technology found that postmenopausal women who took a combination of moringa leaf powder and amaranth leaf powder7 for three months not only had decreased markers of oxidative stress, but they also had better fasting blood glucose and increased hemoglobin levels, which could mean more balanced hormones.

Think of your liver as the body's detoxifier. It filters the blood, detoxifies chemicals, and metabolizes fat—and moringa may help it work better.

Free radicals12 are created by things like pollution, fried food, and sun exposure. They damage your cells by robbing them of an electron, causing oxidative stress, cell damage, and premature aging.

Move over, turmeric, there's a new inflammation-fighter in town. Moringa has been shown to significantly lower inflammation in cells.

Spikes in insulin and blood sugar levels can cause mood swings and sugar cravings and even lead to the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Enter moringa.

The leaf powder has been effective at reducing lipid and glucose levels and regulating oxidative stress in lab studies.

One clinical study16 also showed therapeutic antioxidant properties as well as lower fasting glucose levels in postmenopausal women who took a supplement with moringa, and amaranth, leaves for three months.

Moringa leaf powder contains about 30% fiber18, most of it insoluble, something you not only need for digestion but that may also reduce your risk of disease.

Moringa is a natural antibiotic and antibacterial and may help inhibit the growth of various pathogens19 that can cause digestive upset. 

It's estimated that worldwide, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Moringa leaf is high in vitamins C and E, which combat the oxidative stress21 associated with Alzheimer's.

Moringa might be unsafe for pregnant women or nursing mothers26 to use due to the chemicals possibly found in the root, bark, or flowers of the plant. Otherwise, the leaf powder had been deemed safe in human studies, even in larger doses than normal.

You'll also want to stay clear of moringa seeds and moringa seed extract consumption, as they have shown a level of toxicity in immune cells.

Made from dried and ground moringa leaves, the powder has a mild flavor with a slightly earthy taste, so it works well with many different recipes.

Moringa Oleifera has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years and has been associated with numerous benefits.

And while there is plenty of recent research1 to back the benefits above, like all supplements, moringa isn't regulated by the FDA27 and more research is needed to determine whether it is safe to consume regularly.

We always recommend considering a doctor's guidance before making any health-related decisions.