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Moringa tea
Moringa tea is made from the dried leaves of the moringa tree.

Herbal Teas & Extracts · Herbal tea

Moringa Tea

Moringa oleifera (leaf) · also called Drumstick leaf tea, malunggay tea, moringa leaf infusion.

Moringa tea is an herbal tea made by steeping the leaves of the moringa tree in hot water. It is not made from the tea plant, and we found no report of caffeine in it. It is used for blood sugar, blood pressure and breast milk, but almost all the human studies used capsules, powder or food leaves, and only one small study used the tea. Evidence is weak or mixed. The most important caution: ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take diabetes, blood-pressure or thyroid medicine, or if you are pregnant. Root, bark and seed are different materials.

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About Moringa Tea

Moringa tea is a leaf infusion from the moringa tree (Moringa oleifera). It is an herbal tea and is not made from the tea plant. We found no report of caffeine. Human evidence for the tea itself is one small study; the rest is for capsules, powder and food. Results for blood sugar, blood pressure and breast milk are weak or mixed. Medicine, pregnancy and product-quality cautions matter more than any claimed benefit.

Tea, powder and extract are different

Tea is leaf steeped in hot water, and you drink the liquid. Leaf powder is the whole ground leaf, often swallowed in capsules or stirred into food. An extract is a concentrate made in a lab, sometimes with alcohol. These are different materials, so a result for one does not carry over to another.

Almost all of the human trials we read used capsules, powder or leaves eaten as food. We found one small human study of a leaf tea (a 2026 Indian comparison with cucumber juice, no group taking nothing) and one mouse study of a hot infusion against an alcohol extract. In the mice the infusion did better on most measures and the extract was better for blood sugar control.

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What it is

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a tropical tree in the family Moringaceae. GBIF lists it as an accepted species. Leaves and young pods are eaten as food. Other Moringa species exist and should not be assumed to be the same.

Leaf contains flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol and glucosinolate-type compounds. A mouse study found pyrrole alkaloids and triterpenes in both a hot infusion and an alcohol extract. The amount of any compound in a cup of tea has not been measured in the studies we read.

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What the research does and does not show

The best human results are for leaf powder capsules in prediabetes (lower fasting glucose and HbA1c than placebo in 65 people over 12 weeks) and for a one-meal drop in diastolic pressure after cooked leaves in healthy adults. Pooled reviews of many trials found no consistent effect on cholesterol or weight, and two reviews disagree on blood pressure.

For breast milk, short trials and reviews report more milk, but the Cochrane review calls the evidence low to very low certainty and the best-described double-blind trial was null on its main result. None of the studies used tea, and no study here tested the tea in pregnancy or breastfeeding for safety.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

  • Leaves and young pods are eaten as food, and leaf, seed, bark and root are used in traditional medicine (a 2015 review).
  • Leaf infusion is a common home drink in several countries. The sources we read give no traditional history for the tea itself.
  • Used traditionally as a milk booster after birth in the Philippines and elsewhere (second-hand).

Studied for research

  • Blood pressure, tea itself (one small study), insufficient
  • Blood sugar, mostly capsules, very-low
  • Cholesterol and triglycerides, mostly capsules, very-low
  • Blood pressure, pooled trials, low
  • Body weight, no effect found, low
  • Breast milk supply, very-low
  • Hemoglobin in food studies, low
  • Thyroid function, insufficient

Main compounds

  • Flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol
  • Glucomoringin and moringin (isothiocyanate type)
  • Pyrrole alkaloids and triterpenes (found in a hot infusion in a mouse study)

Common forms

  • Hot leaf infusion (the tea), loose or in tea bags
  • Leaf powder, often in capsules (most human studies)
  • Leaf extracts, including alcohol extracts (many animal studies)

Research links: Review: safety and efficacy of Moringa oleifera (abstract) · Trial: leaf powder capsules in prediabetes (abstract) · Mouse study: hot tea infusion vs extract (abstract) · LiverTox: Moringa · Cochrane review: milk-boosting herbs and drugs (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

What it is and its history

Accepted scientific name
Moringa oleifera Lam.
Naming authority
Lam., Encycl. 1: 398 (1785) (GBIF)
Synonyms
Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn.; Moringa moringa (L.) Millsp.; Guilandina moringa L.; Hyperanthera moringa (L.) Vahl
Common names
Moringa tea (English); Drumstick leaf tea (English); Malunggay tea (Filipino (named in a LactMed search summary))
Family or group
Moringaceae, a small family of trees in the order Brassicales (the mustard and cabbage order). The isothiocyanate compounds in moringa are of the same chemical type as those in mustard and cabbage.
Classification
Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Brassicales > Moringaceae > Moringa > Moringa oleifera
Native range
Not verified from a primary source in this file. Reviews describe moringa as grown across South Asia, Africa and the tropics.
Habitat
Not verified.
What it looks like
Roots: Not verified. Root is a separate material from leaf in the studies read.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Leaves are the usual food and supplement part (Stohs 2015 abstract).; Flowers: Flowers are listed among parts used in traditional medicine (Stohs 2015 abstract).; Fruit: Immature seed pods are eaten as food (Stohs 2015 abstract); seeds are a separate material.
Cultivation
Not verified.
Harvest and processing
Not verified. Product forms (leaf, tea bags, capsules, extracts) are not standardised according to a 2015 safety review.
Look-alikes and adulterants
Name: Moringa stenopetala (Baker f.) Cufod.; Note: Another accepted species in GBIF (key 3752363), eaten as a leafy vegetable in East Africa. A compositional study of its leaves exists (Abuye 2003, not used here). Not interchangeable with M. oleifera in the evidence.; Name: Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori; Note: Another accepted species (GBIF key 3752342). Studies of this species should not be assumed to apply to M. oleifera.
Sustainability and conservation
Not verified. No IUCN assessment retrieved.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or eraDocumented useSource
Traditional medicine, South Asia and AfricaLeaf, seed, bark, root, sap and flowers are used in traditional medicine; leaves and immature pods are eaten as food (Stohs 2015). A 2022 review lists traditional use for paralysis, worms, sores and skin infections (Liu 2022).p25808883
Traditional African medicineThe bark is credited with abortifacient and aphrodisiac properties in traditional African medicine, as reported second-hand in a 2024 review (the underlying citation is Posmontier 2011, not read). This is a traditional claim, not a tested finding.s-frontiers-moringa-review
Leaf tea in recent trialsMoringa leaf tea was the test drink in one 2026 Indian blood-pressure comparison, and a hot infusion was tested in mice in 2024. Neither is a traditional-use source.p42109346
Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, IndiaListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India per a 2024 review (second-hand, NOT verified at source).s-frontiers-moringa-review
Unani medicine (leaf decoction)Leaves called Barg-e-Sahajna were tested for hypothyroidism in a small Indian pilot (Alam 2021).p34449175
Lactation food, Philippines and elsewhereUsed as a traditional milk booster (second-hand via a LactMed search summary and the 2025 review's own introduction; NOT verified at source).p40724308
RegulatoryNo EMA-HMPC or WHO monograph found; FDA and EFSA mention it as a food plant per a second-hand review.s-ema-hmpc-none

Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

CompoundFamilyWhere it is concentratedActivity studiedLevel of evidence
Moringin (4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate)
PubChem 153557
isothiocyanateSeed and leaf (forms from glucomoringin)
Not verified here
Formed from glucomoringin when plant tissue is crushed. Its effects were not verified from an abstract read here and have not been shown in people. 31 4Laboratory research
Glucomoringin
PubChem 162639104
glucosinolateLeaf, seed, root
Identified as a major compound in a leaf extract (Aliyu 2021)
The precursor of moringin. Present in the leaf extract that damaged liver and kidney at very high doses in mice. 4 31Animal research
Quercetin
PubChem 5280343
flavonolLeaf
Identified as a major compound in a leaf extract (Aliyu 2021); amount varies
A common plant antioxidant; its contribution to any moringa effect was not tested. 4 31Animal research
Kaempferol
PubChem 5280863
flavonolLeaf
Identified as a major compound in a leaf extract (Aliyu 2021); amount varies
A common plant antioxidant; contribution not tested. 4 31Animal research
Chlorogenic acid
PubChem 1794427
phenolic acidLeaf (named in reviews; not verified here)
Not verified here
A common plant polyphenol; its role in moringa was not verified here. 31Laboratory research
Alkaloids (total, in root extract)alkaloidsRoot
0.2% total alkaloids in the methanol root extract (Mazumder 1999)
Root extract with alkaloids changed liver, kidney and blood measures in mice at higher doses. Individual alkaloids not identified in the abstract. 27Animal research

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathwayGene or receptorWhat was foundLevel
Glucose loweringNot establishedIn rodents, extracts lower blood glucose (pooled 44 studies). Human trials are mixed. Mechanism not shown in people. 44 12Animal research
Drug-metabolising enzymesCYP3A4Leaf extracts inhibited CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes (IC50 0.5 and 2.5 mg/ml); root extracts less so. A human volunteer study showed changed amodiaquine levels. 29 35Laboratory research
Thyroid hormone conversionT4 to T3 conversion (proposed)In female rats the leaf extract lowered T3 about 30% and raised T4, suggesting reduced conversion; human data are one uncontrolled pilot. 43 3Animal research
Uterus and implantationNot establishedAqueous root extract lowered uterine protein, glycogen and enzyme activity in early pregnancy in rats, interpreted as anti-implantation. 37Animal research
LactationProlactinProlactin was reported to rise in pooled short postpartum trials; the mechanism is not shown. 6Human data
What is in the infusionn/aIn the mouse study, NMR analysis of both the hot infusion and the ethanol extract showed signals for pyrrole alkaloids and triterpenes as main constituents. 10Animal research

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption
No absorption data for moringa compounds in people were found in the abstracts read.
Distribution
No data found.
Metabolism
Leaf extracts inhibited CYP3A4 in vitro; leaf powder changed amodiaquine and its metabolite levels in volunteers, which suggests moringa can alter how some drugs are handled.
Elimination
No data found.
Bioavailability
Unknown.

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Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Leaf tea, leaf powder, aqueous extract, alcohol extract, root extract and seed kernel behave as different materials in the evidence. In mice, the hot infusion beat the alcohol extract on most measures, while the extract was better for blood sugar. Results from one form should not be applied to another.

Nutritional composition

Moringa leaf is eaten as a nutritious vegetable. Exact vitamin and mineral content was not verified here, varies with growing conditions, and a tea steeps only part of the leaf.

11benefits and uses looked at
44studies and sources checked
Low certaintybest evidence rating found
12lab markers tracked in trials

3 low certainty4 very low certainty4 not enough evidence

What was looked at

The 11 benefits and uses checked for Moringa Tea, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.

Lab markers tracked in the studies

Fasting blood glucoseHbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)Cholesterol and triglycerides (LDL, total, triglycerides)Systolic blood pressureDiastolic blood pressureBody weight and BMIBreast milk volumeProlactinHemoglobinSerum retinol (vitamin A in blood)TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)CD4 T-cell count

What is Moringa Tea good for?

What the research shows for each use, and how strong it is. Almost all of it is for capsules, powder or food leaves, not tea, so none of it proves that a cup of tea works. Read the Safety tab first if you take medicines or are pregnant.

Blood pressure: moringa leaf tea itselfNot enough evidenceWe found one small study that used moringa leaf tea on people. In 200 villagers with high blood pressure, pressure fell with the tea, but it fell just as much with cucumber juice, and there was no group that took nothing. So it cannot show the tea works. Blood sugar (prediabetes and type 2 diabetes), mostly capsulesVery low certaintyLeaf powder in capsules lowered fasting glucose and HbA1c in one 12-week trial in people with prediabetes, but a 14-day food-amount trial in type 2 diabetes found no adjusted difference, and a pooled review of nine trials found no consistent benefit. Certainty is very low. Cholesterol and triglycerides, mostly capsules and foodVery low certaintyRodent studies report better cholesterol and triglycerides, but the pooled human trials show no consistent effect, and in the 14-day diabetes trial triglycerides went up in one group. One small trial combined moringa with garlic on top of a statin. Certainty is very low. Blood pressure, pooled trials of mixed formsLow certaintyTwo pooled analyses disagree. One of eight trials reports lower systolic and diastolic pressure; the other of nine trials with a GRADE check found only a small diastolic drop that did not hold up and rated all certainty very low. A single meal of cooked leaves lowered pressure for 2 hours in healthy adults. Overall certainty is low. The one study of the tea itself is described separately above. Body weight and BMILow certaintyTwo meta-analyses found no change in body weight or BMI. Moringa is often sold for weight loss, but the trials do not support that. Hot leaf infusion in mice with fatty liver (animal study)Not enough evidenceIn mice fed a high-fat diet for six months, two months of moringa hot infusion lowered liver enzymes, blood fats, urea and glucose and reduced fat and inflammation in the liver. An alcohol extract did similar things. This is the only research we found on moringa hot tea in a body, and it is mouse research. Breast milk supply (capsules and supplements)Very low certaintyMoringa leaf is a widely used traditional milk booster. A 2025 review of 8 short trials reports more milk and higher prolactin, but the Cochrane review rates the whole field low to very low certainty, and the best-described double-blind trial (88 mothers) found no significant difference in milk volume on day 3. Certainty is very low. A 2026 review of herbs for mothers of premature babies also lists moringa leaf capsules with low-certainty evidence of more milk. Hemoglobin, anemia and vitamin A (leaf powder in food)Low certaintySeveral non-randomised studies found higher hemoglobin after moringa leaf in children, adolescent girls and pregnant women. None was a placebo-controlled randomized trial of leaf powder alone, so certainty is low. Immune and nutrition markers in people living with HIVVery low certaintyA 2025 meta-analysis of 7 mostly small studies reported higher CD4 counts and BMI with moringa, but the very large effect sizes and mixed study designs make the result unreliable. It is not a treatment for HIV. Thyroid functionNot enough evidenceEvidence is contradictory and thin: an 8-person uncontrolled human pilot reported lower TSH and higher T3 and T4 in hypothyroidism after leaf decoction, while a rat study found lower T3 and higher T4 and proposed use for an overactive thyroid. Neither supports a use. Certainty is insufficient. Asthma (seed kernel only, not tea)Not enough evidenceOne uncontrolled study of 20 adults with mild to moderate asthma reported about 30% better lung function after powdered seed kernel for 3 weeks. With no control group it cannot show a real effect. Certainty is insufficient.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Blood pressure: moringa leaf tea itself

Not enough evidence

We found one small study that used moringa leaf tea on people. In 200 villagers with high blood pressure, pressure fell with the tea, but it fell just as much with cucumber juice, and there was no group that took nothing. So it cannot show the tea works.

1 studiesLeaf tea. How much leaf, how many cups and how long are not given in …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

One non-randomised comparison of 200 people (2026). Most other human trials used capsules or food leaves, listed under Blood pressure.

Results

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell in both the drumstick leaf tea group and the cucumber juice group (p<0.001), with no difference between the groups.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

Not randomised, no untreated or placebo group, comparison drink was also expected to help, details missing in the abstract. Cannot separate the tea's effect from other causes.

Form and dose studied

Leaf tea. How much leaf, how many cups and how long are not given in the abstract.

Who was studied

Adults with high blood pressure in villages of Gujarat, India.

Limits

No control group that received nothing; no blinding stated; funding not stated.

Why researchers looked

Moringa leaves are drunk as a hot infusion in many places and are said to lower blood pressure.

Traditional use

Moringa leaves are drunk as an infusion in several countries; the sources we read do not give a traditional history for the tea.

Proposed mechanism Hypothesis

Not shown. Moringa leaf contains flavonoids and other plant compounds, but no study here shows how a cup of tea could lower pressure.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Tea is not a replacement for blood-pressure medicine. If you take blood-pressure medicine, tell your doctor first.

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Blood sugar (glucose and HbA1c) in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Very low certainty

Leaf powder in capsules lowered fasting glucose and HbA1c in one 12-week trial in people with prediabetes, but a 14-day food-amount trial in type 2 diabetes found no adjusted difference, and a pooled review of nine trials found no consistent benefit. Certainty is very low.

5 studiesThese studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Rodent evidence is large: a meta-analysis of 44 rodent studies pooled a glucose effect size of -3.92 (95% CI -4.65 to -3.19) with high heterogeneity (Watanabe 2021). In people: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 65 adults with prediabetes gave dry leaf powder in capsules for 12 weeks; fasting glucose and HbA1c moved in opposite directions (down with moringa, up with placebo) (Gomez-Martinez 2021). A secondary analysis found no differences in inflammation, lipids or blood pressure (Diaz-Prieto 2022). In 40 adults with type 2 diabetes who ate three different daily amounts of leaves as food for 14 days, fasting glucose did not differ and adjusted results were not significant (Afiaenyi 2025). A 2025 meta-analysis of 9 RCTs (649 adults) found no significant effect on glycemic indices and rated all outcomes very low certainty (Crisan 2025).

Results

Mixed and weak: one positive 12-week trial, one null 14-day trial, and a pooled analysis showing no consistent benefit.

Effect sizes as reported

Prediabetes trial: significant between-group change in fasting glucose and HbA1c (values not in abstract). Pooled RCTs: no significant effect on most outcomes.

Why this rating

Few small trials, short, different forms and doses, pooled results mostly not significant, and the reviewers' own GRADE is very low. The animal evidence does not carry over to people.

Form and dose studied

These studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as food, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with prediabetes (n=65) or type 2 diabetes (n=40).

Limits

Small samples, short duration, a placebo-group rise partly explains the prediabetes result, and no trial tested people on diabetes drugs for safety of the combination.

Why researchers looked

Moringa leaves contain polyphenols, fibre and isothiocyanates, and many rodent studies report lower blood glucose.

Traditional use

Moringa (drumstick tree) leaves are eaten as a vegetable across South Asia and Africa, and leaf, seed, root and bark are used in traditional medicine. It is widely promoted for diabetes in folk use.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In rodents, extracts lower glucose; proposed routes include slowing starch digestion and binding glucose, but these are lab and animal findings and have not been shown to explain any human result.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Moringa could add to the effect of blood-sugar medicines; see the safety section for the rat study with sitagliptin and the human amodiaquine study.

44 21 13 1 12

Cholesterol and triglycerides

Very low certainty

Rodent studies report better cholesterol and triglycerides, but the pooled human trials show no consistent effect, and in the 14-day diabetes trial triglycerides went up in one group. One small trial combined moringa with garlic on top of a statin. Certainty is very low.

5 studiesThese studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Meta-analysis of diabetic rodents: triglycerides and cholesterol improved (Watanabe 2021). In people: the 2025 GRADE meta-analysis found no significant effect on lipids, with heterogeneity often above 80% (Crisan 2025). The prediabetes trial found no change in lipids (Diaz-Prieto 2022). In the Nigerian trial, triglycerides rose in the middle-amount group (123.80 to 151.20, p = 0.04) before adjustment (Afiaenyi 2025). A trial of 60 patients already on a statin (atorvastatin) gave moringa alone or with garlic for 45 days and reported significant improvements in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (p < 0.05) without numbers in the abstract (Sarfraz 2023).

Results

No consistent human effect on lipids.

Effect sizes as reported

Pooled RCTs: no significant effect. Single small combination trial: p < 0.05 without effect sizes.

Why this rating

Pooled certainty is very low; the one positive trial is small (15 per group), used a garlic combination and was on top of a statin.

Form and dose studied

These studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as food, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with high lipids or diabetes.

Limits

Combination design means the moringa effect is not separable; no information on cardiovascular events.

Why researchers looked

Studied because moringa leaf is rich in plant sterols and polyphenols and rodent studies often report lower lipids.

Traditional use

Moringa (drumstick tree) leaves are eaten as a vegetable across South Asia and Africa, and leaf, seed, root and bark are used in traditional medicine.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

Animal findings only: reduced cholesterol absorption and altered fat metabolism are proposed; none is proven in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No lipid-related harm was reported except the triglyceride rise in one 14-day group.

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Blood pressure

Low certainty

Two pooled analyses disagree. One of eight trials reports lower systolic and diastolic pressure; the other of nine trials with a GRADE check found only a small diastolic drop that did not hold up and rated all certainty very low. A single meal of cooked leaves lowered pressure for 2 hours in healthy adults. Overall certainty is low. The one study of the tea itself is described separately above.

5 studiesThese studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

A 2026 meta-analysis of 8 RCTs reported systolic blood pressure lower by 6.00 mmHg and diastolic by 7.32 mmHg (both p < 0.001), with no change in weight or BMI (Samarin 2026). A 2025 meta-analysis of 9 RCTs with GRADE found only a diastolic drop (SMD -0.41, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.07) that was not robust in sensitivity analyses and called evidence very low certainty (Crisan 2025). In 41 healthy adults, a meal of cooked leaves lowered diastolic pressure at 2 hours (p = 0.013) (Chan Sun 2020). The 14-day diabetes trial saw systolic pressure fall in one group, but adjusted differences were not significant (Afiaenyi 2025).

Results

Two meta-analyses reach different conclusions; short-term meal effect in healthy people.

Effect sizes as reported

SBP -6.00 mmHg, DBP -7.32 mmHg (Samarin 2026); DBP SMD -0.41, CI -0.75 to -0.07 (Crisan 2025).

Why this rating

The two pooled analyses conflict and the one with GRADE rates very low; trials are small and short. We rate low rather than very low because several sources point the same direction.

Form and dose studied

These studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as food, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Healthy adults, adults with diabetes or prediabetes.

Limits

No trial showed a lasting drop in people with diagnosed high blood pressure; mostly short; mixed designs.

Why researchers looked

Moringa leaf contains polyphenols, and lab and rat studies have reported reduced angiotensin-converting enzyme activity.

Traditional use

Moringa (drumstick tree) leaves are eaten as a vegetable across South Asia and Africa, and leaf, seed, root and bark are used in traditional medicine. Some people also believe moringa raises blood pressure; the Mauritius trial was done partly to check this.

Proposed mechanism Laboratory research

Lab studies suggest ACE inhibition and blood vessel relaxation; these are in vitro and animal findings.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Moringa may add to blood pressure medicines; see safety.

39 12 9 1 8

Body weight and BMI

Low certainty

Two meta-analyses found no change in body weight or BMI. Moringa is often sold for weight loss, but the trials do not support that.

2 studiesThese studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Meta-analysis of 8 RCTs: no significant change in BMI (p = 0.435) or body weight (p = 0.938) (Samarin 2026). The 2025 GRADE meta-analysis found no significant effects on most outcomes (Crisan 2025). A girls' school meal study also saw no weight change (see the body file).

Results

No effect on weight in pooled trials.

Effect sizes as reported

BMI p = 0.435; weight p = 0.938.

Why this rating

Consistent null results across two reviews, but trials are small and varied.

Form and dose studied

These studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as food, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults.

Limits

Trial quality is limited.

Why researchers looked

Sold widely as a slimming supplement.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established in people.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Weight-loss products often mix moringa with other ingredients; those cannot be judged from these trials.

39 12

Hot leaf infusion in mice with fatty liver (animal study)

Not enough evidence

In mice fed a high-fat diet for six months, two months of moringa hot infusion lowered liver enzymes, blood fats, urea and glucose and reduced fat and inflammation in the liver. An alcohol extract did similar things. This is the only research we found on moringa hot tea in a body, and it is mouse research.

1 studiesHot leaf infusion and ethanol leaf extract in mice. Amounts are not g…

Studies, doses and limits

Results

Treated mice had lower liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT), lipids, urea and glucose and less liver fat and inflammation than untreated fatty-liver mice. The infusion did better than the extract on every measure except blood sugar control. Only the infusion lowered anxiety-like behaviour.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

One mouse study; the abstract gives no numbers; mice are not people.

Form and dose studied

Hot leaf infusion and ethanol leaf extract in mice. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Mice.

Limits

Animal study, no numbers in the abstract, no human test of the infusion for this use.

Why researchers looked

Researchers wanted to compare a home-style infusion with a lab extract.

Traditional use

Not described in the sources we read.

Proposed mechanism Lab

Not established. The authors found pyrrole alkaloids and triterpenes as the main signals in both preparations.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Animal result only. It is not advice for people with fatty liver, high lipids or diabetes.

10

Breast milk supply (galactagogue use)

Very low certainty

Moringa leaf is a widely used traditional milk booster. A 2025 review of 8 short trials reports more milk and higher prolactin, but the Cochrane review rates the whole field low to very low certainty, and the best-described double-blind trial (88 mothers) found no significant difference in milk volume on day 3. Certainty is very low. A 2026 review of herbs for mothers of premature babies also lists moringa leaf capsules with low-certainty evidence of more milk.

6 studiesLeaf capsules and leaf supplements; the sources we read did not test …

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Cochrane (41 RCTs, 3005 mothers) found the overall certainty of galactagogue evidence low to very low. In subgroup analysis moringa and a mixed botanical tea may increase infant weight versus placebo, but the size is very uncertain; moringa was also compared with another galactagogue in one small study (Foong 2020). A 2025 review of 8 RCTs (3 to 10 days) reported milk volume up to 400 mL/day higher and prolactin up by 231.72 ng/mL, with one study at high risk of bias (Ammar 2025). An 88-mother double-blind trial of leaf capsules found no significant difference in median day-3 milk volume (73.5 vs 50 ml, p = 0.19), although the authors note 47% more milk (Fungtammasan 2022). A Kenyan trial of leaf powder over 3 months was designed but its results are not in the paper we read (Mogaka 2022). A 2023 narrative review found no reported contraindications in pregnancy and lactation, with contradictory results (Rotella 2023).

Results

Weak and mixed; short trials with positive reports, one clear null result.

Effect sizes as reported

Milk volume up to +400 mL/day and prolactin +231.72 ng/mL (review); 73.5 vs 50 ml, p = 0.19 (single RCT).

Why this rating

Cochrane certainty low to very low; the strongest-described trial was null; positive reviews rely on very short trials. One protocol author reports a patent application on moringa extracts (Mogaka 2022).

Form and dose studied

Leaf capsules and leaf supplements; the sources we read did not test tea for milk supply. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Mothers of term infants in the first days after birth; Cochrane notes variable populations.

Limits

Short follow-up; subjective measurement of milk; no long-term infant outcomes; safety in breastfeeding not tested in trials.

Why researchers looked

Moringa leaf is used as a traditional milk-booster (in the Philippines it is called malunggay) and is rich in nutrients.

Traditional use

Moringa (drumstick tree) leaves are eaten as a vegetable across South Asia and Africa, and leaf, seed, root and bark are used in traditional medicine. It is a traditional lactation food in the Philippines and parts of Asia and Africa.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Proposed: nutrient and plant-sterol content may support lactation. Prolactin rises reported in some trials; mechanism not shown.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Use during breastfeeding is a safety question; see the safety section. Root and bark should not be used in pregnancy.

16 6 19 28 38 11

Hemoglobin, anemia and nutrition (vitamin A, iron intake)

Low certainty

Several non-randomised studies found higher hemoglobin after moringa leaf in children, adolescent girls and pregnant women. None was a placebo-controlled randomized trial of leaf powder alone, so certainty is low.

4 studiesLeaf powder mixed into food, biscuits or a snack, not tea. Amounts ar…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Adolescent girls (226, Bangladesh, non-randomised): hemoglobin up by an adjusted 0.41 (p = 0.010) and retinol by 0.27 after 6 months of a moringa snack versus a control school, no change in weight (Khanam 2022). Anemic children under 2 in Tanzania (95, community study): anemia prevalence fell 53.6% with leaf powder plus nutrition education (p < 0.001); controls also improved (Shija 2019). Pregnant women (70, Indonesia): biscuits with moringa plus iron tablets raised hemoglobin 1.04 g/dl (p = 0.001) versus iron tablets alone, with moringa not tested separately (Manggul 2021). A narrative review pulled similar results together (Rotella 2023).

Results

Higher hemoglobin in non-randomised studies; small, food-based.

Effect sizes as reported

Hb +0.41 (girls), +1.04 g/dl (pregnant women with iron tablets); anemia prevalence -53.6% (children).

Why this rating

Consistent direction across three settings, but none randomised with placebo and all with design weaknesses.

Form and dose studied

Leaf powder mixed into food, biscuits or a snack, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Girls 12 to 14, children under 2, pregnant women.

Limits

Not randomised; groups differ; moringa combined with iron or nutrition education; no comparison with plain iron or other leafy greens.

Why researchers looked

Moringa leaves contain iron, vitamin A and other nutrients, so they are used as food to fight deficiencies.

Traditional use

Moringa (drumstick tree) leaves are eaten as a vegetable across South Asia and Africa, and leaf, seed, root and bark are used in traditional medicine. Used as a nutrient-rich food in programmes against malnutrition.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Nutrient content (iron, vitamin A, protein). Plant iron absorption is limited; not established here.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Plant foods do not replace treatment for diagnosed anemia; talk to a doctor. Root and bark are not used for this.

23 41 26 38

Immune and nutrition markers in people living with HIV

Very low certainty

A 2025 meta-analysis of 7 mostly small studies reported higher CD4 counts and BMI with moringa, but the very large effect sizes and mixed study designs make the result unreliable. It is not a treatment for HIV.

1 studiesThese studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Meta-analysis of 7 articles (8 datasets, RCTs and non-RCTs): CD4 SMD 1.4 (95% CI 0.59 to 2.20, p < 0.001), WBC SMD 0.22, platelets SMD 3.14, BMI SMD 0.29; dose influenced outcomes (Jin 2025). Moringa also changes drug levels (see safety), which matters for antiretroviral therapy.

Results

Higher CD4 and BMI in pooled small studies.

Effect sizes as reported

CD4 SMD 1.4 (0.59 to 2.20).

Why this rating

Few small studies, non-randomised data included, implausibly large effects, and known drug-level interactions.

Form and dose studied

These studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as food, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults living with HIV.

Limits

Not a substitute for antiretroviral therapy; the abstract does not give forms or doses.

Why researchers looked

Used as a nutritious food supplement in places where HIV and undernutrition overlap.

Traditional use

Used traditionally as a food in parts of Africa.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Nutrient and antioxidant content; not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Possible drug interactions; people on HIV medicines should ask their clinician or pharmacist.

22

Thyroid function

Not enough evidence

Evidence is contradictory and thin: an 8-person uncontrolled human pilot reported lower TSH and higher T3 and T4 in hypothyroidism after leaf decoction, while a rat study found lower T3 and higher T4 and proposed use for an overactive thyroid. Neither supports a use. Certainty is insufficient.

2 studiesThese studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Open observational pilot of 8 adults with primary hypothyroidism taking a fresh leaf decoction twice a day for 45 days: TSH 16.62 to 4.75 (p<0.0246), T3 132 to 150.37, T4 9.28 to 11.84; no change in liver or kidney tests (Alam 2021). In female rats, aqueous leaf extract for 10 days lowered T3 about 30% and raised T4; males showed no significant change (Tahiliani 2000). The two directions are not easily reconciled.

Results

Contradictory; no controlled human study.

Effect sizes as reported

TSH 16.62 to 4.75 (n = 8); T3 down about 30% in female rats.

Why this rating

Eight people with no control group versus an animal study going the other way.

Form and dose studied

These studies mostly used leaf powder in capsules, or leaves eaten as food, not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with hypothyroidism (pilot); rats.

Limits

Tiny uncontrolled study; unclear interaction with thyroid medicine.

Why researchers looked

Studied because traditional medicine claims moringa affects the thyroid.

Traditional use

Folk use only.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In rats, leaf extract appeared to reduce conversion of T4 to T3 (animal finding).

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

People taking thyroid medicine should ask a doctor before regular use; stopping or changing medicine without advice is not safe.

3 43

Asthma symptoms and lung function (seed kernel)

Not enough evidence

One uncontrolled study of 20 adults with mild to moderate asthma reported about 30% better lung function after powdered seed kernel for 3 weeks. With no control group it cannot show a real effect. Certainty is insufficient.

1 studiesPowdered seed kernel, not leaf and not tea. Amounts are not given her…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

In 20 patients, FVC, FEV1 and PEFR improved by 32.97%, 30.05% and 32.09%; symptoms improved, hemoglobin rose and ESR fell; the authors reported no adverse effects (Agrawal 2008).

Results

Large before-after improvements, no control.

Effect sizes as reported

FVC +32.97%, FEV1 +30.05%, PEFR +32.09%.

Why this rating

Uncontrolled, 20 patients, 3 weeks. Seed only; not comparable with leaf.

Form and dose studied

Powdered seed kernel, not leaf and not tea. Amounts are not given here.

Who was studied

Adults with mild to moderate asthma.

Limits

No placebo group; no independent replication.

Why researchers looked

Traditional use of moringa seed for breathing complaints.

Traditional use

Seed kernels are used in some folk traditions.

Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Seed use is not recommended in place of asthma treatment; see safety for seed and the other parts.

2

Connections to the rest of health

How Moringa Tea connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

A. Wellness goals

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
Blood Pressure Support Not enough evidence Blood pressure: moringa leaf tea itself: We found one small study that used moringa leaf tea on people. In 200 villagers with high blood pressure, pressure fell with the tea, but it fell just as much with cucumber juice, and there was no group that took nothing. So it cannot show the tea works. 8
Heart Health Not enough evidence Blood pressure: moringa leaf tea itself: We found one small study that used moringa leaf tea on people. In 200 villagers with high blood pressure, pressure fell with the tea, but it fell just as much with cucumber juice, and there was no group that took nothing. So it cannot show the tea works. 8
Blood Sugar Balance Potential benefit Very low certainty Blood sugar (glucose and HbA1c) in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: Leaf powder in capsules lowered fasting glucose and HbA1c in one 12-week trial in people with prediabetes, but a 14-day food-amount trial in type 2 diabetes found no adjusted difference, and a pooled review of nine trials found no consistent benefit. Certainty is very low. 44 21 13 1 12
Metabolic Health Potential benefit Very low certainty Blood sugar (glucose and HbA1c) in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: Leaf powder in capsules lowered fasting glucose and HbA1c in one 12-week trial in people with prediabetes, but a 14-day food-amount trial in type 2 diabetes found no adjusted difference, and a pooled review of nine trials found no consistent benefit. Certainty is very low. 44 21 13 1 12
Cholesterol Balance Potential benefit Very low certainty Cholesterol and triglycerides: Rodent studies report better cholesterol and triglycerides, but the pooled human trials show no consistent effect, and in the 14-day diabetes trial triglycerides went up in one group. One small trial combined moringa with garlic on top of a statin. Certainty is very low. 44 12 13 1 40
Heart Health Potential benefit Very low certainty Cholesterol and triglycerides: Rodent studies report better cholesterol and triglycerides, but the pooled human trials show no consistent effect, and in the 14-day diabetes trial triglycerides went up in one group. One small trial combined moringa with garlic on top of a statin. Certainty is very low. Blood pressure: Two pooled analyses disagree. One of eight trials reports lower systolic and diastolic pressure; the other of nine trials with a GRADE check found only a small diastolic drop that did not hold up and rated all certainty very low. A single meal of cooked leaves lowered pressure for 2 hours in healthy adults. Overall certainty is low. The one study of the tea itself is described separately above. 44 12 13 1 40 39 9 8
Blood Pressure Support Potential benefit Low certainty Blood pressure: Two pooled analyses disagree. One of eight trials reports lower systolic and diastolic pressure; the other of nine trials with a GRADE check found only a small diastolic drop that did not hold up and rated all certainty very low. A single meal of cooked leaves lowered pressure for 2 hours in healthy adults. Overall certainty is low. The one study of the tea itself is described separately above. 39 12 9 1 8
Weight Management Potential benefit Low certainty Body weight and BMI: Two meta-analyses found no change in body weight or BMI. Moringa is often sold for weight loss, but the trials do not support that. 39 12
Cholesterol Balance Preliminary mechanism Not enough evidence Hot leaf infusion in mice with fatty liver (animal study): In mice fed a high-fat diet for six months, two months of moringa hot infusion lowered liver enzymes, blood fats, urea and glucose and reduced fat and inflammation in the liver. An alcohol extract did similar things. This is the only research we found on moringa hot tea in a body, and it is mouse research. 10
Heart Health Preliminary mechanism Not enough evidence Hot leaf infusion in mice with fatty liver (animal study): In mice fed a high-fat diet for six months, two months of moringa hot infusion lowered liver enzymes, blood fats, urea and glucose and reduced fat and inflammation in the liver. An alcohol extract did similar things. This is the only research we found on moringa hot tea in a body, and it is mouse research. 10
Womens Wellness Potential benefit Very low certainty Breast milk supply (galactagogue use): Moringa leaf is a widely used traditional milk booster. A 2025 review of 8 short trials reports more milk and higher prolactin, but the Cochrane review rates the whole field low to very low certainty, and the best-described double-blind trial (88 mothers) found no significant difference in milk volume on day 3. Certainty is very low. A 2026 review of herbs for mothers of premature babies also lists moringa leaf capsules with low-certainty evidence of more milk. Hemoglobin, anemia and nutrition (vitamin A, iron intake): Several non-randomised studies found higher hemoglobin after moringa leaf in children, adolescent girls and pregnant women. None was a placebo-controlled randomized trial of leaf powder alone, so certainty is low. 16 6 19 28 38 11 23 41 26
Energy Boost Potential benefit Low certainty Hemoglobin, anemia and nutrition (vitamin A, iron intake): Several non-randomised studies found higher hemoglobin after moringa leaf in children, adolescent girls and pregnant women. None was a placebo-controlled randomized trial of leaf powder alone, so certainty is low. 23 41 26 38
Immune Support Potential benefit Very low certainty Immune and nutrition markers in people living with HIV: A 2025 meta-analysis of 7 mostly small studies reported higher CD4 counts and BMI with moringa, but the very large effect sizes and mixed study designs make the result unreliable. It is not a treatment for HIV. 22
Thyroid Support Potential benefit Not enough evidence Thyroid function: Evidence is contradictory and thin: an 8-person uncontrolled human pilot reported lower TSH and higher T3 and T4 in hypothyroidism after leaf decoction, while a rat study found lower T3 and higher T4 and proposed use for an overactive thyroid. Neither supports a use. Certainty is insufficient. 3 43

B. Body systems

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
Cardiovascular System Biological association Not enough evidence Studied for: Blood pressure: moringa leaf tea itself Studied for: Cholesterol and triglycerides 8 44 12 13 1 40 39 9 10 23 41 26 38
Endocrine System Biological association Very low certainty Studied for: Blood sugar (glucose and HbA1c) in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes Studied for: Thyroid function 44 21 13 1 12 3 43
Metabolism Weight Biological association Very low certainty Studied for: Blood sugar (glucose and HbA1c) in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes Studied for: Cholesterol and triglycerides 44 21 13 1 12 40 39 10 23 41 26 38
Reproductive System Biological association Very low certainty Studied for: Breast milk supply (galactagogue use) 16 6 19 28 38 11
Immune System Biological association Very low certainty Studied for: Immune and nutrition markers in people living with HIV 22
Respiratory System Biological association Not enough evidence Studied for: Asthma symptoms and lung function (seed kernel) 2

E. Health conditions

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
Pregnancy Contraindication Very low certainty Traditional abortifacient claim and rat anti-implantation finding.
Preparation or compound: Root, bark
37 17

I. Biomarkers

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
Blood glucose Potential benefit Very low certainty Lower fasting glucose in one prediabetes trial; null in another.
Preparation or compound: Leaf powder
21 1
TSH Biological association Not enough evidence Fell in 8 people; opposite signal in rats.
Preparation or compound: Fresh leaf decoction
3 43
Blood pressure Biological association Not enough evidence One small non-randomised comparison with cucumber juice; no group taking nothing.
Preparation or compound: Moringa leaf tea
8
Fasting blood glucose Biological association Very low certainty Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 21 1 44
HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) Biological association Very low certainty Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 21
Cholesterol and triglycerides (LDL, total, triglycerides) Biological association Very low certainty Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 12 40 1 13
Systolic blood pressure Biological association Low certainty Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 39 1 12
Diastolic blood pressure Biological association Low certainty Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 39 12 9
Body weight and BMI Biological association Low certainty Measured in trials: no-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 39
Breast milk volume Biological association Very low certainty Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 6 19 16
Prolactin Biological association Very low certainty Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 6
Hemoglobin Biological association Low certainty Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 23 26 41
Serum retinol (vitamin A in blood) Biological association Low certainty Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 23
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) Biological association Not enough evidence Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 3 43
CD4 T-cell count Biological association Very low certainty Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. 22

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
CYP3A4 Preliminary mechanism In vitro Inhibited by leaf extracts in human liver microsomes. 29

K. Biological pathways

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 Preliminary mechanism Animal Changed in a rat study and in a human pilot. 43 3
Prolactin Preliminary mechanism Human Reported higher in pooled short postpartum trials. 6

L. Active compounds

Connected toKind of connectionEvidence statusContextStudies
Moringin (4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate) Biological association In vitro Formed from glucomoringin when plant tissue is crushed. Its effects were not verified from an abstract read here and have not been shown in people.
Preparation or compound: Seed and leaf (forms from glucomoringin)
31 4
Glucomoringin Biological association Animal The precursor of moringin. Present in the leaf extract that damaged liver and kidney at very high doses in mice.
Preparation or compound: Leaf, seed, root
4 31
Quercetin Biological association Animal A common plant antioxidant; its contribution to any moringa effect was not tested.
Preparation or compound: Leaf
4 31
Kaempferol Biological association Animal A common plant antioxidant; contribution not tested.
Preparation or compound: Leaf
4 31
Chlorogenic acid Biological association In vitro A common plant polyphenol; its role in moringa was not verified here.
Preparation or compound: Leaf (named in reviews; not verified here)
31
Alkaloids (total, in root extract) Biological association Animal Root extract with alkaloids changed liver, kidney and blood measures in mice at higher doses. Individual alkaloids not identified in the abstract.
Preparation or compound: Root
27

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 12 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

The evidence

The research centre for Moringa Tea. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We read PubMed abstracts of 37 papers and checked the plant name in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Funding is not stated in many abstracts. No study is cited that we could not verify.

Study library: every study we checked 44
StudyDesignPeopleProduct, dose, lengthResult
Afiaenyi 2025
Effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on the blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile of type 2 diabetic subjects: A parallel group randomized clinical trial of efficacy
Nutr Health · PMID 37229639 · DOI
Rct (parallel, four groups)
40
Adults with type 2 diabetes, rural Nigeria
Moringa oleifera leaves (food amounts)
leaf Not given here 14 days · vs No moringa (usual diet)
Fasting glucose did not differ between groups. Systolic pressure fell in the middle-amount group (136.40 to 123.90 mmHg, p = 0.01) but triglycerides rose in that group (123.80 to 151.20, p = 0.04). After adjusting for starting values there was no significant difference in any measure.
No significant adjusted difference in any outcome; authors call improvements marginal and not dose-dependent.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Fasting glucose, blood pressure, lipids

Limitations: Only 10 per group; 14 days; large food amounts; unblinded diet design.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared.

Read: abstract

Agrawal 2008
Antiasthmatic activity of Moringa oleifera Lam: A clinical study
Indian J Pharmacol · PMID 21264158 · DOI
Uncontrolled clinical study
20
Adults with mild to moderate asthma, India
Moringa oleifera finely powdered dried seed kernels
seed Not given here 3 weeks
Improvement in symptom score and in lung function (FVC, FEV1, PEFR improved by about 30%). Hemoglobin rose and ESR fell. No adverse effects reported by the authors.
FVC +32.97%, FEV1 +30.05%, PEFR +32.09% (before vs after).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Asthma symptoms, spirometry, blood counts

Limitations: No control group or placebo; 20 patients; 3 weeks.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Alam 2021
Efficacy and safety of Barg-e-Sahajna (Moringa oleifera Lam.) in primary hypothyroidism
Drug Metab Pers Ther · PMID 34449175 · DOI
Open observational pilot
8
Adults with primary hypothyroidism (10 enrolled, 8 completed)
Moringa oleifera fresh leaf decoction (Unani preparation)
leaf Not given here 45 days
TSH fell from 16.62 to 4.75, T3 rose from 132 to 150.37 and T4 from 9.28 to 11.84. No significant effect on SGOT, SGPT, urea or creatinine.
TSH p < 0.0246; T3 p < 0.0005; T4 p < 0.0438 (before vs after).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: TSH, T3, T4, liver and kidney tests

Limitations: 8 completers, no control, no blinding; not a basis for treating thyroid disease; it conflicts with the rat data below.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Aliyu 2021
Moringa oleifera hydorethanolic leaf extract induced acute and sub-acute hepato-nephrotoxicity in female ICR-mice
Sci Prog · PMID 34886737 · DOI
Animal research
animal
Female ICR mice (10 acute, 25 sub-acute) Moringa oleifera hydroethanolic leaf extract
leaf Not given here 28 days (sub-acute) · vs Water control
At a very high single dose, mild anemia, higher AST and CK, liver degeneration and necrosis, kidney tubular damage. LD50 above the highest dose tested.
LD50 above the highest dose tested, with liver and kidney damage at that dose.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Liver and kidney tests and histology

Limitations: Mice, very high dose, concentrated extract; not the same as eating leaves or powder.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared.

Read: abstract

Amaeze 2021
Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria
Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet · PMID 33844145 · DOI
Laboratory research
in-vitro
Human liver microsomes Crude extracts of five plants including Moringa oleifera
unspecified Not given here Test-tube · vs No extract
The abstract names inhibition for Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, Picralima nitida and Azadirachta indica extracts; moringa is tested but no moringa inhibition result is named in the abstract.
None for moringa in abstract.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Inhibition of six CYP enzymes

Limitations: Moringa result not stated in the abstract; full text not read.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared.

Read: abstract

Ammar 2025
Moringa oleifera Supplementation as a Natural Galactagogue: A Systematic Review on Its Role in Supporting Milk Volume and Prolactin Levels
Foods · PMID 40724308 · DOI
Systematic review of RCTs
8 RCTs of postpartum mothers Moringa oleifera leaf supplementation
leaf Not given here 3 to 10 days · vs Controls
Milk volume higher by up to 400 mL/day and prolactin rose significantly (mean increase 231.72 ng/mL); most studies low to moderate risk of bias, one high risk. Authors say longer studies and safety data are needed.
Milk volume up to +400 mL/day; prolactin +231.72 ng/mL (pooled values as stated).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Breast milk volume, serum prolactin

Limitations: Very short trials (3 to 10 days); mixed methods of measuring milk; no long-term or infant outcomes; the review's wording is stronger than the Cochrane review's very low certainty.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared.

Read: abstract

Bernstein 2021
Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?
Phytother Res · PMID 33164294 · DOI
Narrative review (preclinical)
animal
Preclinical studies of herbs in pregnancy Medicinal plants, including Moringa oleifera
unspecified Not given here Various
Lists Moringa oleifera among plants the reviewers say should be avoided in pregnancy, based on preclinical studies. The abstract does not say which part of the plant or what evidence.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Embryotoxic, teratogenic or abortifacient effects in preclinical studies

Limitations: Based on animal and lab studies; the abstract does not say which moringa part or what finding. Not human evidence.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Bharatbhai 2026
Comparative effectiveness of two natural interventions (drumstick leaves tea and cucumber juice) on hypertension
Bioinformation · PMID 42109346 · DOI
Quasi experimental
200
200 people with high blood pressure from villages in Aravalli District, Gujarat, India (100 per group)
Drumstick (moringa) leaf tea
leaf tea Not given here · vs Cucumber juice (100 people); no untreated group
Both the drumstick leaf tea group and the cucumber juice group had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure after the intervention (p<0.001), with no significant difference between the two groups after treatment.
Both groups fell (p<0.001); no difference between groups.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Limitations: Not randomised ("non-equivalent" groups). No untreated or placebo group, so the fall cannot be credited to the tea: any lasting change, other treatment or the way pressure was measured could explain it. The abstract does not say whether people kept their medicines, how long it lasted or how blood pressure was measured.

Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract.

Read: abstract

Chan Sun 2020
Consumption of Moringa oleifera Lam Leaves Lowers Postprandial Blood Pressure
J Am Coll Nutr · PMID 31063434 · DOI
Rct (placebo controlled, per abstract)
41
Healthy adults, Mauritius
Cooked Moringa oleifera leaves
leaf Not given here 24-hour follow-up · vs No moringa
Diastolic pressure lower at 2 hours after the meal in the moringa group (p = 0.013); both systolic and diastolic pressure fell in the moringa group.
Diastolic BP at 2 h vs baseline p = 0.013.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Blood pressure over 24 hours

Limitations: Healthy people; a single meal; does not show a lasting effect or any effect in people with high blood pressure.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement read in abstract.

Read: abstract

Cortes-Alvarez 2024
Efficacy of Hot Tea Infusion vs. Ethanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera for the Simultaneous Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver, Hyperlipidemia, and Hyperglycemia in a Murine Model Fed with a High-Fat Diet
J Nutr Metab · PMID 38375319 · DOI
Animal experiment
animal
BALB/c mice fed a high-fat diet for 6 months, then treated for 2 months Moringa oleifera hot tea infusion or ethanolic extract
leaf (infusion and ethanol extract) Not given here 2 months · vs Untreated fatty-liver mice and healthy control mice
Blood liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT), lipids, urea and glucose were lower in treated mice than in untreated fatty-liver mice. Liver fat and inflammation were lower. The infusion did better than the extract on every measure except blood sugar control, where the extract was better. Anxiety-like behaviour was lower only with the infusion.
Significant reductions vs untreated mice; the abstract gives no numbers.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Liver enzymes, lipids, urea, glucose, liver fat and inflammation, activity and anxiety-like behaviour

Limitations: Mice only. The abstract gives no numbers, so size of effect is unknown. It cannot be assumed to apply to people.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts of interest declared.

Read: abstract

Cragg 2026
Herbal galactagogues to improve breastmilk production and lactation in mothers of preterm babies: a systematic review of clinical trials
Eur J Clin Nutr · PMID 41350450 · DOI
Systematic review of RCTs
Mothers of premature babies; ten randomised trials, each testing a different herb or mixture Herbal milk boosters, including Moringa oleifera leaf capsules
leaf capsules (for moringa) Not given here Various · vs Placebo or usual care
Ten trials, two at high risk of bias and the rest with some concerns. The authors list moringa leaf capsules among five herbal products with low-certainty evidence of more breast milk in mothers of preterm babies, and say higher-quality trials are needed.
Low-certainty evidence; the abstract gives no moringa-specific number.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Milk volume by day 7

Limitations: The abstract gives milk-volume numbers for other herbs but none for moringa. Capsules, not tea.

Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared.

Read: abstract

Crișan 2025
Effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with GRADE Assessment
Nutrients · PMID 41305552 · DOI
Meta analysis of RCTs with GRADE
649
Adults in 9 RCTs (12 arms): 341 moringa, 308 control
Moringa oleifera supplementation (various forms)
unspecified Not given here At least 2 weeks; subgroup 12 weeks or more · vs Control
No significant effect on most outcomes. Small diastolic blood pressure drop, not robust in sensitivity analyses. Certainty very low for all outcomes.
Diastolic blood pressure SMD -0.41 (95% CI -0.75 to -0.07), p = 0.02, I2 = 19%. (-0.75 to -0.07)
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Anthropometrics, lipids, glycemic indices, blood pressure

Limitations: Risk of bias, I2 often over 80% for weight and lipid outcomes, indirectness; authors rate all outcomes very low certainty.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared.

Read: abstract

Díaz-Prieto 2022
Effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. Supplementation on Inflammatory and Cardiometabolic Markers in Subjects with Prediabetes
Nutrients · PMID 35565903 · DOI
Rct (secondary analysis)
65
Adults with prediabetes (same trial as Gomez-Martinez 2021)
Moringa oleifera dry leaf powder capsules
leaf Not given here 12 weeks · vs Placebo
No differences between groups in any of these change scores. Exploratory analysis found TNF-alpha predicted who improved in HbA1c.
No between-group differences in lipids, inflammation or blood pressure.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Inflammatory markers, blood lipids, antioxidant capacity, blood pressure

Limitations: Ancillary analysis of one small trial; the TNF-alpha finding is exploratory.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared.

Read: abstract

EMA 2026
EMA/HMPC: no Moringa monograph found
Web search and secondary review · Source
Authoritative guidance

unspecified
No EMA or HMPC herbal monograph for Moringa oleifera was found. A 2024 Frontiers review states that moringa has no WHO or EMA-HMPC monograph. NOT verified directly on the EMA site.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Absence in two searches is not proof.

Read: summary-only

Ebhohon 2022
Moringa Oleifera leaf extract induced pulmonary embolism-a case report
Int J Emerg Med · PMID 35413819 · DOI
Case report
1
63-year-old woman with obesity and type 2 diabetes
Moringa oleifera leaf extract supplement
leaf Not given here About 5 months
Bilateral pulmonary embolism after 5 months of use, with no other major clot risk factor found; treated with blood thinners for 3 months. Authors say the link is 'likely' and call for cohort studies.
Single case; cause not proven.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Pulmonary embolism

Limitations: One case; causation not established; authors cite a claim that moringa promotes clotting without a source in the abstract.

Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared.

Read: abstract

Foong 2020
Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 32421208 · DOI
Systematic review (Cochrane)
3005
41 RCTs, 3005 mothers and 3006 infants
Oral galactagogues including moringa (several studies)
unspecified Not given here Various · vs Placebo, no treatment or another galactagogue
Overall certainty low to very low. Subgroup analysis suggested moringa and a mixed botanical tea may increase infant weight; magnitude very uncertain. Cannot say whether one galactagogue is better than another. Adverse effects limited and minor where reported.
No pooled moringa effect size; very low certainty.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Continued breastfeeding, infant weight, milk volume, adverse effects

Limitations: Lack of blinding, heterogeneity (I2 99% for milk volume), imprecision; moringa results come from small single studies.

Funding and conflicts: Cochrane review; no commercial funding stated in abstract.

Read: abstract

Frontiers in Pharmacology review 2024
Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree): nutraceutical, cosmetological and medicinal importance: a review
Front Pharmacol 15:1288382 · Source
Narrative review

unspecified
Review text partly read (first ~100,000 characters). States moringa has no WHO or EMA-HMPC monograph and is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; traditional African medicine credits the bark with abortifacient properties (traditional claim, not a tested finding); FDA and EFSA documents mention it as a food plant. Notes that long-term side effects need study. No thyroid or CYP statements found in the portion read.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Only the first part of a very long page was read; used for second-hand regulatory statements.

Read: summary-only

Fu 2020
Soil-applied selenite increases selenium and reduces cadmium in roots of Moringa oleifera
Sci Rep · PMID 33230176 · DOI
Plant experiment
in-vitro
Moringa grown in soil Moringa oleifera roots
root Not given here Growing season · vs Untreated soil
Soil treatment changed how much cadmium and selenium accumulated in roots, showing the plant takes up cadmium from soil. Not a study of supplements.
Cd in roots down about 80% at the best selenite level.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Selenium and cadmium in roots

Limitations: Agronomy study, not product testing; shows uptake from soil only.

Funding and conflicts: None.

Read: abstract

Fungtammasan 2022
The effect of Moringa oleifera capsule in increasing breast milk volume in early postpartum patients: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X · PMID 36440058 · DOI
Rct (double blind, placebo controlled)
88
Early postpartum mothers, Thailand
Moringa oleifera leaf capsules
leaf Not given here Milk volume measured on day 3 postpartum; exclusive breastfeeding followed to 6 months · vs Placebo capsules
No significant difference in median milk volume (73.5 vs 50 ml, p = 0.19). Authors still say the moringa group had 47% more milk and suggest moringa may be used as a galactagogue.
73.5 vs 50 ml, p = 0.19 (not significant).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Breast milk volume day 3

Limitations: Null primary result; the authors' positive conclusion goes beyond the p-value; no comparison for exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months in the abstract.

Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared.

Read: abstract

GBIF Secretariat 2026
GBIF backbone: Moringa oleifera Lam.
GBIF API · Source
Database

unspecified
Accepted species, key 3054181, authority Lam. (1785), family Moringaceae, order Brassicales; many synonyms listed. Retrieved 2026-10-25.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Database lookup.

Read: full-text

Gómez-Martínez 2021
Moringa oleifera Leaf Supplementation as a Glycemic Control Strategy in Subjects with Prediabetes
Nutrients · PMID 35010932 · DOI
Rct (double blind, placebo controlled, parallel)
65
Adults with prediabetes (moringa n=31, placebo n=34)
Moringa oleifera dry leaf powder capsules
leaf Not given here 12 weeks · vs Placebo
Fasting glucose and HbA1c changed in opposite directions: down with moringa, up with placebo. No group differences in microbiota, liver/kidney markers or appetite hormones.
Significant between-group change in fasting glucose and HbA1c (numbers not in abstract).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, appetite hormones, gut microbiota, liver and kidney markers

Limitations: Small; 12 weeks; leaf powder capsule only; exact values not in the abstract; the change was partly a rise in the placebo group.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared.

Read: abstract

Jin 2025
Effects of Moringa oleifera supplementation on immune and nutritional biomarkers in adults living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Front Nutr · PMID 40989801 · DOI
Systematic review and meta analysis
Adults living with HIV: 7 articles (8 datasets), RCTs and non-RCTs Moringa oleifera supplementation
unspecified Not given here Various · vs Control
CD4 SMD 1.4 (95% CI 0.59 to 2.20); platelets SMD 3.14; WBC SMD 0.22; BMI SMD 0.29. Authors call for larger studies.
CD4 SMD = 1.4 (0.59 to 2.20), p < 0.001.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: CD4 count, white cells, platelets, BMI

Limitations: Very few small studies including non-randomised ones; implausibly large effects (platelet SMD 3.14) suggest heterogeneity or bias; not a statement about HIV treatment.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared; PROSPERO CRD420251000927.

Registration: PROSPERO CRD420251000927

Read: abstract

Khanam 2022
Effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on hemoglobin and serum retinol levels and underweight status among adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh
Front Nutr · PMID 35938103 · DOI
Quasi experimental (non randomised)
226
Girls aged 12 to 14, rural Bangladesh (113 per group, different schools)
Moringa leaves as an oil-fried snack (pakora) in a school meal
leaf Not given here 6 months · vs Calorie-matched meal without moringa pakora
Hemoglobin rose by an adjusted 0.41 (p = 0.010) and retinol by 0.27 versus control. No difference in weight.
Hemoglobin coefficient 0.41, p = 0.010; retinol 0.27 (units not in abstract).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Hemoglobin, serum retinol, underweight

Limitations: Not randomised; control children at a different school; food-based; measures iron status through hemoglobin only in the abstract.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Liu 2022
Moringa oleifera: a systematic review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity
J Pharm Pharmacol · PMID 34718669 · DOI
Systematic review (broad)
mixed
Whole-plant literature Moringa oleifera (all parts)
unspecified Not given here Various
163 chemical components listed. The review says moringa is toxic at certain doses and overuse can cause genotoxicity. Concludes the pharmacology is not sufficient for evidence-based medicine and little clinical trial data exist; most work on carbamates and glucosinolates is in vitro.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Botany, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity

Limitations: Broad review; the abstract does not say which part or dose is toxic.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

LiverTox 2024
Moringa (LiverTox)
LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (Bookshelf) · PMID 39047137
Authoritative guidance
Regulatory/clinical database entry Moringa oleifera (leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, flowers)
unspecified Not given here
Says moringa is well tolerated, not linked to serum enzyme elevations during therapy, but recently implicated in a case of acute anicteric hepatitis. Only the abstract-level summary was read.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Liver injury

Limitations: Only the summary paragraph was read; the underlying case was not identified.

Funding and conflicts: None.

Read: summary-only

Manggul 2021
Biscuits containing Moringa oleifera leaves flour improve conditions of anemia in pregnant women
Gac Sanit · PMID 34929809 · DOI
Quasi experimental
70
Pregnant women with anemia, Indonesia (35 per group)
Biscuits with 40% moringa leaf flour plus iron tablets
leaf Not given here 60 days · vs Iron tablets alone
Hemoglobin rose by 1.04 g/dl (p = 0.001) and iron intake rose; zinc intake rise was not significant (p = 0.144). The authors report the rises were higher than in the iron-only group.
Hb +1.04 g/dl, p = 0.001.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Hemoglobin, iron and zinc intake

Limitations: Quasi-experimental; combined with iron tablets so moringa's own effect is unclear; small.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Mazumder 1999
Evaluation of hematological and hepatorenal functions of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. root treated mice
Indian J Exp Biol · PMID 10641193
Animal research
animal
Mice Methanolic extract of moringa root (0.2% total alkaloids)
root Not given here · vs Control
Higher weekly and daily injected doses changed liver and kidney markers and blood counts; the lowest daily doses did not.
Dose-dependent changes in liver and kidney tests.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Liver and kidney markers, blood counts

Limitations: Injected, not eaten; mice; old study.

Funding and conflicts: None stated.

Read: abstract

Mogaka 2022
Investigating the Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplemented to Kenyan Breastfeeding Mothers on Maternal and Infant Health: A Cluster Randomized Single-Blinded Controlled Pilot Trial Protocol
JPGN Rep · PMID 37168619 · DOI
Trial protocol (no results)
50
Planned: 50 exclusively breastfeeding mother-infant pairs, Kenya
Moringa oleifera leaf powder in corn porridge
leaf Not given here Planned 3 months · vs Porridge only
Protocol only. No results in this paper.
None (protocol).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Planned: infant growth, maternal milk output, vitamin A and iron status

Limitations: This is a plan, not a result; listed so readers know a trial was planned.

Funding and conflicts: One author is co-inventor on a patent application for Moringaceae extracts; NIH Fogarty funding.

Read: abstract

Monera 2008
Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibit 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4
J Infect Dev Ctries · PMID 19745507 · DOI
Laboratory research
in-vitro
Human liver microsomes and HepG2 cells Methanolic and aqueous leaf and root extracts
leaf, root Not given here Test-tube incubation · vs No extract
Leaf methanol extract IC50 0.5 mg/ml, leaf water extract IC50 2.5 mg/ml; root extracts less active. Only the leaf-water extract was cytotoxic (IC50 6 mg/ml).
IC50 0.5 and 2.5 mg/ml (leaf).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: CYP3A4 activity; cell toxicity

Limitations: Test tube only; the concentrations may not be reached in the body; clinical interactions not shown.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared.

Read: abstract

NCBI 2026
NCBI Taxonomy: Moringa oleifera
NCBI Taxonomy · Source
Database

unspecified
Taxonomy search for Moringa oleifera returned taxid 3735.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Search result only.

Read: full-text

NCBI PubChem 2026
PubChem compound records
PubChem · Source
Database

unspecified
CIDs checked by name search: quercetin 5280343, kaempferol 5280863, chlorogenic acid 1794427, 4-(alpha-L-rhamnosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate (moringin) 153557, glucomoringin 162639104.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Names checked by API; plant content not checked here.

Read: full-text

NCCIH 2026
NCCIH: no Moringa page found
nccih.nih.gov · Source
Authoritative guidance

unspecified
The address nccih.nih.gov/health/moringa returned 404 on 2026-10-25 and a web search found no NCCIH page on moringa.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Absence is not proof.

Read: full-text

NIH LactMed 2026
LactMed: Moringa (NIH Drugs and Lactation Database)
LactMed (NCBI Bookshelf NBK501899) · Source
Authoritative guidance

unspecified
A LactMed entry for Moringa exists (secondary report of a search result). Said to describe moringa as a traditional galactagogue, to note many published studies are of very poor quality, and to cite a reasonably well-conducted study that found no effect in the first 3 days after birth in mothers of full-term infants. NOT verified: the page could not be opened (browser check screen); content is second-hand.
None.
Methods, limits and funding

Limitations: Could not be read directly; second-hand via a search summary. Treat as unverified.

Read: summary-only

Ngwenya 2024
Influence of Different Rates of Plant-Based Compost on Clay Soil Metal Behavior and Human Health Risk Assessment in Moringa oleifera Leaf Biomass
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol · PMID 38722367 · DOI
Plant experiment (pot study)
plant
Moringa oleifera plants grown in pots of clay soil mixed with different amounts of compost, four replicates each Moringa oleifera leaf biomass grown in pots
leaf Not given here · vs Control plants without compost
Adding compost changed soil metal levels. Trace elements had minimal availability in the amended soils and their levels in the leaves were lower than the permitted trace metal levels in food. The calculated hazard quotient for heavy metals was below one, which the authors read as safe for human consumption for leaf grown this way.
Hazard quotient below one (the abstract gives no further numbers).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Metal content of soil and leaves; human health risk calculation

Limitations: A pot experiment in one soil. It says nothing about tea bags or powders sold in shops, and it cannot rule out contamination from other soils.

Funding and conflicts: Funding and conflicts of interest are not stated in the abstract.

Read: abstract

Olawoye 2018
Moringa oleifera leaf powder alters the pharmacokinetics of amodiaquine in healthy human volunteers
J Clin Pharm Ther · PMID 29920710 · DOI
Human pharmacokinetic study (3 period)
20
Healthy volunteers, Nigeria
Moringa oleifera leaf powder with amodiaquine (antimalarial)
leaf Not given here 7 days pretreatment · vs Amodiaquine alone
Amodiaquine peak level fell (P = .037 with co-administration; 32% lower after 7 days of moringa). The metabolite's peak rose 79.36% and its AUC rose 40.4% (co-administered) and 188% (pretreated).
Cmax of amodiaquine -32% (pretreated); metabolite AUC +40.4% to +188%.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Plasma levels of amodiaquine and its metabolite

Limitations: 20 volunteers, a single drug; clinical meaning for malaria treatment unknown.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Olurishe 2016
Chronic administration of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) may compromise glycaemic efficacy of Sitagliptin with no significant effect in retinopathy in a diabetic rat model
J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 27789327 · DOI
Animal research
animal
56
Alloxan-diabetic rats (8 per group)
Moringa oleifera ethanol leaf extract with sitagliptin
leaf Not given here 42 days · vs Sitagliptin or extract alone
Glucose fell early with the combination (day 14 to 28) but then rose steadily by day 42; authors conclude chronic co-use progressively reduced sitagliptin's effect.
Fasting glucose rise of up to 57% from day 28 to 42 in combination group.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Blood glucose, insulin, lens and retina changes

Limitations: Rats; injected alloxan model; ethanol extract.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Prakash 1988
Pre and post-implantation changes in the uteus of rats: response to moringa oleifera lam. Extract
Anc Sci Life · PMID 22557630
Animal research
animal
Pregnant rats Moringa oleifera aqueous root extract
root Not given here Early pregnancy (days 2 to 5 after mating) · vs Control pregnant rats
Extract significantly lowered uterine proteins, glycogen and enzyme activity, which the authors link to an anti-implantation (anti-fertility) action.
Significant reductions (no numbers in abstract).
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Uterine protein, glycogen and phosphatase enzymes

Limitations: Old rat study; root extract; abstract has no doses; not evidence for people.

Funding and conflicts: None stated.

Read: abstract

Rotella 2023
The Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on Anemia and other Variables during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Narrative Review
Nutrients · PMID 37375577 · DOI
Narrative review
12 studies in pregnancy and the first months after birth Moringa leaf powder, leaf extract, or in mixed preparations
leaf Not given here Various · vs Various
Moringa appeared to influence the mother's blood profile, milk production and infant illness in the first 6 months. None of the studies reported contraindications to use in pregnancy and lactation. Results described as contradictory in places.
No pooled numbers in abstract.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Maternal blood profile, milk production, infant outcomes

Limitations: Narrative, not systematic; studies were mostly small and mixed in design; absence of reported problems is not proof of safety.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared.

Read: abstract

Samarin 2026
The Effect of Moringa oleifera on Body Weight and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Food Sci Nutr · PMID 42254443 · DOI
Meta analysis of RCTs
Adults in 8 RCTs Moringa oleifera (various forms)
unspecified Not given here Over 4 weeks in subgroups · vs Control
Systolic BP fell by a weighted mean of 6.00 mmHg and diastolic by 7.32 mmHg (both p < 0.001). No change in BMI or body weight.
SBP -6.00 mmHg; DBP -7.32 mmHg.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Body weight, BMI, blood pressure

Limitations: Eight RCTs; the authors say more research is needed. Its own conclusion differs from the GRADE meta-analysis (Crisan 2025) that found very low certainty and a non-robust diastolic effect.

Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared.

Read: abstract

Sarfraz 2023
Synergistic effect of Moringa oleifera and Allium sativum on BMI and lipid profile: A randomized controlled trial
Pak J Pharm Sci · PMID 38008957
Rct (four groups; combination)
60
Patients with high blood lipids, all on atorvastatin (15 per group)
Moringa oleifera capsules, alone or with garlic (Allium sativum)
unspecified Not given here 45 days · vs Atorvastatin plus placebo
Moringa plus garlic group had significant improvement in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (p < 0.05); the moringa-alone group was also reported significant (p < 0.05). No numbers in abstract.
Significant at p < 0.05; effect sizes not given in abstract.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: BMI, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL

Limitations: 15 per group; 45 days; everyone also on a statin so the added effect cannot be separated; combination product; abstract gives no numbers or blinding details.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Shija 2019
Effect of Moringa Oleifera leaf powder supplementation on reducing anemia in children below two years in Kisarawe District, Tanzania
Food Sci Nutr · PMID 31428346 · DOI
Community intervention (non randomised)
95
Anemic children under 2 years, Tanzania
Moringa oleifera leaf powder plus nutrition education
leaf Not given here 6 months · vs Nutrition education only
Anemia prevalence fell by 53.6% in the moringa communities (p < 0.001), and the authors report a smaller fall in controls. Mean Hb after 6 months differed between groups (p = 0.002).
Anemia prevalence -53.6% with moringa; group Hb difference p = 0.002.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Hemoglobin and anemia prevalence

Limitations: Not randomised, communities not individuals; both groups improved; no iron-only comparison.

Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared.

Read: abstract

Stohs 2015
Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleifera
Phytother Res · PMID 25808883 · DOI
Narrative review
Animal and human studies Moringa oleifera leaves, seeds, bark, roots, sap, flowers
leaf, seed, bark, root Not given here Various · vs Various
Aqueous leaf extracts show a high degree of safety in animal studies; no adverse effects reported in the five human studies of whole leaf powder then published. Standardization of products is an issue. Authors say more human studies with standardised extracts are needed.
No numbers.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Safety and efficacy

Limitations: Narrative review from 2015, five human studies, many animal; 'no adverse effects reported' is not the same as 'tested for safety'.

Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts.

Read: abstract

Tahiliani 2000
Role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid hormone status in adult male and female rats
Pharmacol Res · PMID 10675284 · DOI
Animal research
animal
Adult Swiss rats Moringa oleifera aqueous leaf extract
leaf Not given here 10 days · vs Control
In female rats T3 fell (about 30%) and T4 rose; no significant change in males. Authors suggest the extract inhibits conversion of T4 to T3 and may be useful for hyperthyroidism.
T3 about -30% in female rats.
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: T3, T4, liver lipid peroxidation

Limitations: Rats only; sex-specific; short; does not show what happens in people.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict statement in abstract.

Read: abstract

Watanabe 2021
Moringa oleifera Lam. in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Molecules · PMID 34207664 · DOI
Systematic review and meta analysis (animal studies)
animal
Diabetic rodents (44 studies for blood glucose: 349 treated, 350 controls) Moringa oleifera extracts (various)
unspecified Not given here Various · vs Diabetic control rodents
Blood glucose pooled effect size -3.92 (95% CI -4.65 to -3.19) with substantial heterogeneity; triglycerides and cholesterol also improved in diabetic rodents.
Pooled effect size -3.92 for glucose (rodents only). (-4.65 to -3.19)
Methods, limits and funding

Outcomes: Blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol in diabetic rodents

Limitations: Rodent studies only; large unexplained heterogeneity; does not show an effect in people.

Funding and conflicts: No conflict of interest declared.

Read: abstract

What we do not know yet

  • What the evidence supports: low to insufficient for every use.
  • No placebo-controlled trial of moringa tea in people was found; the one tea study has no group taking nothing.
  • No study measured caffeine or the amount of any compound in a cup of moringa tea.
  • No safety study of moringa tea in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children or with medicines.
  • No test of moringa tea bags or powders for heavy metals or pesticides was found.
  • EMA, WHO, FDA and LactMed positions were not checked directly on the agency sites.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Hormonal 2

▲

Prolactin

Raised in trials

The hormone that drives milk production.

Very low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used as a marker of lactation drive.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A hormone level, not milk delivered to the baby.

Safety implication

Raised prolactin is not itself a benefit.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
6Mean increase 231.72 ng/mL in pooled trials.Postpartum mothersMoringa leaf

6

▼

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

Lowered in trials

A pituitary hormone that rises when the thyroid is underactive.

Not enough evidence
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard screening test for thyroid function.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Eight people, no control group.

Safety implication

Unknown interaction with levothyroxine.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
316.62 to 4.75 (p<0.0246) before vs after in 8 completers.Adults with hypothyroidismFresh leaf decoction, 45 days

3 43

Metabolic 4

↕

Fasting blood glucose

Mixed results in trials

Sugar level in the blood after not eating overnight.

Very low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main marker of blood sugar control.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One positive and one null trial; a statistical change, not proof of better health.

Safety implication

See interactions with diabetes medicines.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
21Fell with moringa and rose with placebo (significant between groups; values not in abstract).65 adults with prediabetesLeaf powder in capsules, 12 weeks
1No significant difference between groups for fasting glucose.40 adults with type 2 diabetesLeaves as food, three daily amounts, 14 days

21 1 44

▼

HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin)

Lowered in trials

A blood test that reflects average blood sugar over about 3 months.

Very low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to judge long-term blood sugar control.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One trial; part of the difference came from a rise in the placebo group.

Safety implication

Hypoglycemia risk if combined with diabetes drugs is not studied in people.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
21HbA1c decreased with moringa and increased with placebo (significant; values not in abstract).65 adults with prediabetesLeaf powder in capsules, 12 weeks

21

↕

Cholesterol and triglycerides (LDL, total, triglycerides)

Mixed results in trials

Blood fats linked to heart disease risk.

Very low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to judge heart risk.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A lab change; no study measured heart attacks or strokes.

Safety implication

The triglyceride rise in one group is a possible signal but not confirmed.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
12No significant effect on lipids in pooled RCTs.Adults, 9 RCTsMoringa supplements
40Total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL improved with moringa plus garlic (p < 0.05).60 patients on atorvastatinMoringa with or without garlic, 45 days
1Triglycerides rose in the middle-amount group (123.80 to 151.20, p = 0.04); no adjusted differences.40 adults with type 2 diabetesLeaves as food, three daily amounts, 14 days

12 40 1 13

●

Body weight and BMI

No clear change in trials

Weight, and weight relative to height.

Low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to judge weight change.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Consistent null result.

Safety implication

None identified.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
39No significant change in BMI (p = 0.435) or weight (p = 0.938).Adults, 8 RCTsMoringa

39

Organ function 1

▲

Hemoglobin

Raised in trials

The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; low levels mean anemia.

Low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main marker of anemia.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Real changes in a blood test, but designs are non-randomised.

Safety implication

Not a replacement for iron treatment when prescribed.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
23Adjusted coefficient 0.41 (p = 0.010).226 girls 12-14Moringa pakora snack, 6 months
26+1.04 g/dl (p = 0.001).70 pregnant womenMoringa biscuits with iron tablets, 60 days
41Group difference after 6 months p = 0.002; anemia prevalence -53.6% in the moringa group.95 anemic children under 2Leaf powder, 6 months

23 26 41

Other 5

▼

Systolic blood pressure

Lowered in trials

The top number: pressure when the heart beats.

Low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main target when treating high blood pressure.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

The two pooled analyses disagree on whether the effect is real.

Safety implication

Possible added effect with blood pressure medicines.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
39Lower by a weighted mean of 6.00 mmHg (p < 0.001).Adults, 8 RCTsMoringa, lower-amount subgroup
1Fell in the middle-amount group (136.40 to 123.90, p = 0.01); no adjusted difference.40 adults with type 2 diabetesLeaves as food, 14 days

39 1 12

▼

Diastolic blood pressure

Lowered in trials

The bottom number: pressure between heartbeats.

Low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used with systolic pressure.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Small effect; the GRADE review calls it not robust.

Safety implication

Same as above.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
39Lower by a weighted mean of 7.32 mmHg (p < 0.001).Adults, 8 RCTsMoringa
12SMD -0.41 (95% CI -0.75 to -0.07), not robust in sensitivity analyses.Adults, 9 RCTsMoringa
9Lower at 2 hours after a meal (p = 0.013).41 healthy adultsCooked leaves in one meal

39 12 9

↕

Breast milk volume

Mixed results in trials

The amount of milk a mother produces.

Very low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Main outcome in galactagogue trials.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Statistical vs everyday importance unclear; measurement was often subjective.

Safety implication

Safety in breastfeeding not established.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
6Up to 400 mL/day higher in 8 short RCTs.Postpartum mothersMoringa leaf
1973.5 vs 50 ml on day 3, not significant (p = 0.19).88 postpartum mothersLeaf capsules
16Very uncertain; heterogeneity too high to pool.3005 mothers in 41 RCTsVarious galactagogues

6 19 16

▲

Serum retinol (vitamin A in blood)

Raised in trials

Blood level of vitamin A.

Low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Shows vitamin A status.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

One non-randomised study.

Safety implication

None identified.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
23Coefficient 0.27 versus control (p reported as 0.00).226 girls 12-14Moringa pakora snack, 6 months

23

▲

CD4 T-cell count

Raised in trials

A count of immune cells that HIV attacks.

Very low certainty
Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Used to monitor HIV immune status.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Implausibly large pooled effect from small mixed studies.

Safety implication

Interaction with HIV medicines possible.

StudyResultPeopleProduct
22SMD 1.4 (95% CI 0.59 to 2.20).Adults living with HIV, 7 articlesMoringa supplementation

22

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 7
  • Tea, powder and extract are not the same thing. Moringa tea is leaves steeped in hot water. Leaf powder (in capsules, or stirred into food) puts the whole ground leaf in the body. Extracts are concentrated by a lab process, and some are made with alcohol. Almost all the human studies and nearly all the safety reports we read are about powder, capsules or extracts. Only one small human study and one mouse study used a tea. A finding about a capsule or extract does not carry over to a cup of tea, and the reverse is also true. Root, bark and seed teas are different materials again and are not covered by the leaf evidence. Mixed 8 10 42 4
  • It has no caffeine as far as we found, but check the label. Moringa is not the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), and none of the papers we read reports caffeine in moringa leaf. We did not find a paper that measured caffeine in moringa tea, so this is an absence of reports, not a lab result. Blends sold as moringa tea may contain green tea or other herbs, so read the ingredients. Insufficient 42
  • Medicines: diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid and others. Moringa leaf may lower blood sugar and blood pressure a little in some studies. Together with diabetes or blood-pressure medicine this could add up, but no study tested the tea with these medicines. A tiny uncontrolled study and a rat study disagree about thyroid effects, so people with thyroid disease or on thyroid medicine should ask first. In 20 healthy volunteers, leaf powder lowered the peak level of an antimalarial drug (amodiaquine). Leaf extracts blocked a liver enzyme (CYP3A4) in the lab. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before regular use if you take any regular medicine. Mixed 35 29 36 39 3 43
  • Pregnancy: avoid root, bark and seed; get advice before any moringa product. A review of traditional use says the bark is credited with ending pregnancy; that is a traditional claim, not a test. A rat study found a root extract changed the womb lining in early pregnancy. A review of lab and animal work lists moringa among plants to avoid in pregnancy, without saying which part. A review of 12 studies of leaf in pregnancy and after birth found no reported contraindications, but those studies are small. None of this is proof that leaf tea is safe in pregnancy. Ask a doctor first. Mixed 37 7 38 17
  • Liver: rare reports, mostly with concentrated products. LiverTox says moringa is well tolerated and has not been linked to liver enzyme rises during use, but names one recent case of liver inflammation without jaundice (we did not find the case paper). In mice, a very high single dose of a leaf extract and a root extract harmed liver and kidney. In a 12-week human trial of leaf powder, liver and kidney tests did not differ from placebo. We found no liver study of moringa tea in people. Mixed 25 4 27 21
  • Heavy metals and purity: no product tests found. We found no study that tested moringa tea bags, powders or capsules for lead, cadmium, arsenic or pesticides. Two plant experiments show how soil matters. Moringa roots took up cadmium from soil in one study. In a pot study, leaves grown in compost-treated clay soil had metal levels below the permitted food levels. Neither tells you what is in a product you can buy. Reviewers say moringa products are not standardised. Insufficient 18 34 42
  • A case of blood clots in the lungs after leaf extract. One case report describes blood clots in both lungs in a woman after about five months of a leaf extract supplement. The authors think the link is likely, but one case cannot prove it. People with clotting problems or on blood thinners should ask a doctor first. Case report 15
Side effects 5
EffectHow oftenSeverity and recoveryEvidence
Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs) in a woman after about 5 months of leaf extract
One case; cause not proven. The case report's authors say the link is 'likely' and ask for cohort studies.
Not establishedsevere
Treated with blood thinners for 3 months (outcome beyond that not in the abstract).
Case report 15
Acute anicteric hepatitis (liver inflammation without jaundice) in one case linked to moringa
LiverTox says moringa is well tolerated and has not been linked to enzyme elevations during therapy, but has recently been implicated in one case. We did not find the case paper.
Not establishedmoderate
Not stated in the summary read.
Case report 25
Mild to moderate liver and kidney damage at very high doses of leaf extract (mice)
A single very high dose; does not describe food use.
Not establishedmoderate
Not stated in abstract.
Animal research 4
Liver, kidney and blood changes with root extract (mice, injected)
Root extract by injection; the lowest tested doses did not change these measures.
Not establishedmoderate
Not stated in abstract.
Animal research 27
No adverse effects reported in short human trials of leaf powder
The prediabetes trial found no group differences in liver or kidney markers; the asthma study (seed) reported none. Short trials are not safety proof.
Not establishedmild
Not applicable.
Controlled trial 42 21 2
Liver

LiverTox states moringa is well tolerated, has not been linked to serum enzyme elevations during therapy, but has recently been implicated in a case of acute anicteric hepatitis (summary read, 2024 update). The 12-week prediabetes trial found no difference in liver markers between leaf powder and placebo. Very high doses of leaf extract damaged mouse liver, and a root extract changed liver tests in mice. No liver studies of root or bark in people were found. 25 21 4 27

How often. No frequency was found. Not finding many reports is not proof of safety.

Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.

  • .

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Moringa Tea supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 6
WithWhy it mattersImportanceEvidenceWhat to do
Amodiaquine (antimalarial) and possibly other antimalarials
prescription
In healthy volunteers moringa leaf powder lowered amodiaquine's peak level (about 32% after 7 days of moringa) and raised its metabolite's exposure (AUC up 40% to 188%).The authors say it may have clinical implications for malaria treatment; no patient outcomes were measured.Controlled trial Low certainty 35If you are treated for malaria, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking moringa.
Medicines broken down by CYP3A4 (for example some HIV medicines, some statins and others; ask a pharmacist)
prescription
In human liver microsomes, leaf extracts inhibited CYP3A4 (leaf-methanol extract more potent than leaf-water extract); root extracts were less active. A separate in-vitro screen tested moringa among five plants, but the abstract does not name a moringa result.Lab only. The authors of the first study called for investigation of clinically significant interactions with antiretroviral and other drugs. Not shown in people.Laboratory research Very low certainty 29 5If you take HIV medicines or other drugs with narrow safety margins, ask a pharmacist before regular use.
Blood-sugar medicines (for example metformin, sulfonylureas, sitagliptin, insulin)
prescription
Theory: moringa may lower glucose and add to these medicines. In diabetic rats, an ethanol leaf extract with sitagliptin lowered glucose early but the sitagliptin effect faded over 42 days.Not tested in people with diabetes. The human trials were of people with prediabetes or diabetes not on tested combinations.Animal research Very low certainty 36 21Check glucose more often and tell your doctor if you start moringa while on diabetes drugs.
Blood-pressure medicines
prescription
Theory: pooled trials show a possible small fall in blood pressure; combined with drugs this could add up.No interaction study. Healthy volunteers' pressure fell for 2 hours after a large meal of leaves.Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 39 9If you take blood-pressure medicine, tell your doctor before regular use.
Thyroid medicines (levothyroxine) and thyroid conditions
prescription
Theory only: a tiny human pilot reported TSH, T3 and T4 shifts; a rat study found lower T3 and higher T4.No interaction study exists.Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 3 43Ask your doctor before regular use; do not change thyroid medicine on your own.
Blood thinners and clotting disorders
prescription
A single case report links a leaf extract supplement to pulmonary embolism. No mechanism or interaction study was found.One case only; cause not proven; the direction (more or less clotting) is not established.Case report Very low certainty 15If you have clotting problems or take blood thinners, ask before using moringa products.
Who should check first 6
SituationAdviceEvidence
Pregnancy: root, bark and any concentrated preparationAvoid. Traditional abortifacient claims for bark, anti-implantation effects of root extract in rats, and a review listing moringa among plants to avoid in pregnancy (preclinical).Animal research 37 7 17
Breastfeeding: root, bark and seedDo not use; not studied. Leaf as a food has a traditional galactagogue role but safety in trials is not established.Traditional use 16 33
Taking amodiaquine or other medicines with a narrow safety marginAsk a pharmacist before using moringa; a human study shows changed amodiaquine levels.Controlled trial 35
Thyroid disease or thyroid medicineAsk a doctor first; effects are unclear.Pharmacological theory 3 43
History of blood clots or on blood thinnersAsk a doctor first; one case report links a leaf extract to pulmonary embolism.Case report 15
ChildrenLeaf powder was given to anemic children under 2 in a Tanzanian community study. No safety trial in children was found. Ask a paediatrician.Traditional use 41
Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. Leaf as food has no documented toxicity in the sources read. Reviews say moringa is toxic at certain doses and overuse can cause genotoxicity, without giving the part or dose in the abstract. A very high single dose of a leaf extract and higher doses of a root extract harmed liver and kidney in mice. Root and bark are the least studied and have traditional abortifacient claims.

Animal. Mice: a hydroethanolic leaf extract given once at a very high dose caused mild anemia, raised liver and muscle enzymes, liver cell death and kidney tubule damage. Mice: a methanol root extract given by injection changed liver, kidney and blood tests at higher doses and not at lower ones. Rats: root extract lowered uterine glycogen and proteins in early pregnancy.

Human doses studied. Trials used leaf powder capsules for 12 weeks, leaf powder for a week, cooked leaves as food and seed kernel for three weeks. One small study used leaf tea. These are what trials gave, not recommendations, and amounts are not given here.

High dose or long term signals. In the diabetes food-leaf trial triglycerides rose in the largest-amount group before adjustment. No long-term (over a year) human safety trial was found. One case report of lung clots followed about five months of leaf extract use.

Overdose response. No overdose reports were found in the sources read.

Genotoxicity. A 2022 review states overuse can cause genotoxicity; no details were in the abstract.

Toxic or hazardous parts. Root and bark are the parts with traditional abortifacient claims and animal anti-implantation or organ effects. The root extract contained alkaloids (0.2% total in one study). Leaf and immature pods are the usual foods. Seed kernels were studied in one small asthma study. Do not treat the plant parts as interchangeable.

No test of moringa tea bags, powders or capsules for heavy metals, pesticides, microbes or adulteration was found.

Metals taken up from soil. A plant experiment showed moringa roots accumulate cadmium from soil, and that adding selenium to the soil changed cadmium uptake. It is not a test of products. 18

Leaves grown in compost-treated soil. In a pot study of clay soil mixed with compost, metal levels in the moringa leaves were below permitted food levels and the authors calculated a hazard quotient below one. It is one pot experiment, not a product test. 34

Not standardised. The 2015 safety review notes that standardisation of moringa products is an issue. 42

Other species and blends. Other Moringa species exist (for example Moringa stenopetala and Moringa peregrina) and blends may add other herbs. We found no study of substitution or blending in products. 20

BodyActionDate
NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health) (United States)No moringa page found; nccih.nih.gov/health/moringa returned 404 on 2026-10-25. source2026-10-25
LiverTox (NIDDK) (United States)Entry exists: well tolerated, not linked to enzyme elevations, one recent case of acute anicteric hepatitis. source2026-10-25
When to get medical help
  • Chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, coughing blood or one swollen painful leg (possible blood clot): seek emergency care.
  • Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe stomach pain: stop and see a doctor.
  • Vaginal bleeding, cramping or leaking fluid in pregnancy after taking any moringa product: seek care at once.
  • Fainting, shakiness or sweating while taking diabetes medicine with moringa: check blood sugar and get advice.

Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is moringa tea?

Moringa tea is made by steeping the dried leaves of the moringa tree (Moringa oleifera), also called the drumstick tree, in hot water. It is an herbal tea: it does not come from the tea plant. Leaves and young pods are also eaten as food. This page is about the leaf tea, and says plainly when the research used something else.

42 20

Does moringa tea have caffeine?

We found no report of caffeine in moringa leaf, and moringa is not the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), so moringa leaf on its own is usually described as caffeine-free. We did not find a paper that measured caffeine in moringa tea, so this is not a lab result. Some blends add green tea or other herbs, so check the ingredient list.

42

Is moringa tea the same as moringa powder or extract?

No. Tea is leaf steeped in hot water. Powder is the whole ground leaf, often in capsules. Extract is a concentrate made in a lab, sometimes with alcohol. Nearly all the human research we read used capsules, powder or leaves eaten as food, and only one small human study used a leaf tea. In mice, a hot infusion and an alcohol extract gave different results. Findings for one form should not be assumed for another.

8 10 21 42

Does moringa tea lower blood sugar?

We found no trial of moringa tea for blood sugar in people. One 12-week trial of leaf powder capsules in 65 people with prediabetes found lower fasting glucose and HbA1c than placebo, but a 14-day food-leaf trial in type 2 diabetes found no adjusted difference, and a pooled review found no consistent benefit. Certainty is very low. If you take diabetes medicine, ask your doctor before using it regularly.

21 1 12 44

Does moringa tea lower blood pressure?

Evidence is thin. A 2026 study of 200 villagers with high blood pressure found pressure fell with moringa leaf tea, but it fell as much with cucumber juice and there was no group that took nothing. Two pooled reviews of other forms disagree. Do not use it in place of blood-pressure medicine.

8 39 12 9

Does moringa tea help with weight loss?

The trials do not support it. Two pooled reviews of moringa in various forms found no change in body weight or BMI.

39 12

Does moringa tea increase breast milk?

It is widely used for this, but the evidence is weak. The studies used capsules or supplements, not tea. A Cochrane review rates the evidence on milk boosters low to very low certainty, and the best-described double-blind trial of 88 mothers found no significant difference in milk volume on day 3. A 2026 review of herbs for mothers of premature babies lists moringa capsules with low-certainty evidence of more milk. Ask your midwife or doctor, and see the safety notes about breastfeeding.

16 19 6 11

Is moringa tea safe in pregnancy?

Not established. Leaf tea has not been tested for pregnancy safety. Root, bark and seed are the parts of most concern: a rat study found a root extract changed the womb lining, and traditional sources credit the bark with ending pregnancy. A review lists moringa among plants to avoid in pregnancy. Ask a doctor before drinking it while pregnant, and do not use root, bark or seed.

37 7 38 17

Can moringa tea interact with medicines?

Possibly. Leaf powder lowered the peak level of an antimalarial (amodiaquine) in 20 healthy volunteers, and leaf extracts blocked a liver enzyme (CYP3A4) in the lab. Moringa may add to the effect of diabetes or blood-pressure medicine, and thyroid effects are unclear. None of this was tested with tea. Ask a pharmacist before regular use if you take any regular medicine.

35 29 36 3 43

Can moringa tea harm the liver?

Reports are rare. LiverTox says moringa is well tolerated and has not been linked to liver enzyme rises, but names one recent case of liver inflammation. In mice, a very high single dose of a leaf extract and a root extract harmed liver and kidney. We found no liver study of moringa tea in people. Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellow skin or eyes or dark urine.

25 4 27 21

Are moringa teas tested for heavy metals?

We found no study that tested moringa tea bags or powders for lead, cadmium, arsenic or pesticides. Soil matters: moringa roots took up cadmium from soil in one experiment, and leaves from compost-treated pots had metal levels below permitted food levels in another. Neither tests a product you can buy, so look for a seller who shares independent test results.

18 34 42

Is moringa tea approved as a medicine?

No herbal monograph from the European Medicines Agency's herbal committee or a WHO monograph was found, and we found no US NCCIH page on moringa. A review says it is listed in India's Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. Several of these points are second-hand and not checked on the agency sites. A tea is sold as a food or supplement, not as a tested medicine.

14 32 17

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Editorial transparency
Written by
AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review
None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published
2026-10-25
Last substantive update
2026-10-25
How we research
We read PubMed abstracts of 37 papers and checked the plant name in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Funding is not stated in many abstracts. No study is cited that we could not verify.
How we rate evidence
See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence
No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 44

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

  1. Afiaenyi IC, Ngwu EK, Okafor AM, et al.. Effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on the blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile of type 2 diabetic subjects: A parallel group randomized clinical trial of efficacy. Nutr Health. 2025. PMID 37229639. DOI 10.1177/02601060231176873. (abstract)
  2. Agrawal B, Mehta A. Antiasthmatic activity of Moringa oleifera Lam: A clinical study. Indian J Pharmacol. 2008. PMID 21264158. DOI 10.4103/0253-7613.40486. (abstract)
  3. Alam MA, Quamri MA, Haider N. Efficacy and safety of Barg-e-Sahajna (Moringa oleifera Lam.) in primary hypothyroidism. Drug Metab Pers Ther. 2021. PMID 34449175. DOI 10.1515/dmpt-2021-0136. (abstract)
  4. Aliyu A, Shaari MR, Ahmad Sayuti NS, et al.. Moringa oleifera hydorethanolic leaf extract induced acute and sub-acute hepato-nephrotoxicity in female ICR-mice. Sci Prog. 2021. PMID 34886737. DOI 10.1177/00368504211004272. (abstract)
  5. Amaeze O, Eng H, Horlbogen L, et al.. Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Inhibition and Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Medicinal Plant Extracts Used for Management of Diabetes in Nigeria. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 2021. PMID 33844145. DOI 10.1007/s13318-021-00685-1. (abstract)
  6. Ammar M, Russo GL, Altamimi A, et al.. Moringa oleifera Supplementation as a Natural Galactagogue: A Systematic Review on Its Role in Supporting Milk Volume and Prolactin Levels. Foods. 2025. PMID 40724308. DOI 10.3390/foods14142487. (abstract)
  7. Bernstein N, Akram M, Yaniv-Bachrach Z, et al.. Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?. Phytother Res. 2021. PMID 33164294. DOI 10.1002/ptr.6935. (abstract)
  8. Bharatbhai PD, B M, Subramanian S. Comparative effectiveness of two natural interventions (drumstick leaves tea and cucumber juice) on hypertension. Bioinformation. 2026. PMID 42109346. DOI 10.6026/973206300221113. (abstract)
  9. Chan Sun M, Ruhomally ZB, Boojhawon R, et al.. Consumption of Moringa oleifera Lam Leaves Lowers Postprandial Blood Pressure. J Am Coll Nutr. 2020. PMID 31063434. DOI 10.1080/07315724.2019.1608602. (abstract)
  10. Cortes-Alvarez SI, Delgado-Enciso I, Rodriguez-Hernandez A et al. Efficacy of Hot Tea Infusion vs. Ethanolic Extract of Moringa oleifera for the Simultaneous Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver, Hyperlipidemia, and Hyperglycemia in a Murine Model Fed with a High-Fat Diet. J Nutr Metab. 2024. PMID 38375319. DOI 10.1155/2024/2209581. (abstract)
  11. Cragg A, Levene I, Darabi S, Willcox M. Herbal galactagogues to improve breastmilk production and lactation in mothers of preterm babies: a systematic review of clinical trials. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2026. PMID 41350450. DOI 10.1038/s41430-025-01679-x. (abstract)
  12. Crișan D, Gavrilaș L, Păltinean R, et al.. Effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with GRADE Assessment. Nutrients. 2025. PMID 41305552. DOI 10.3390/nu17223501. (abstract)
  13. Díaz-Prieto LE, Gómez-Martínez S, Vicente-Castro I, et al.. Effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. Supplementation on Inflammatory and Cardiometabolic Markers in Subjects with Prediabetes. Nutrients. 2022. PMID 35565903. DOI 10.3390/nu14091937. (abstract)
  14. EMA. EMA/HMPC: no Moringa monograph found. Web search and secondary review. 2026. (summary-only)
  15. Ebhohon E, Miller D. Moringa Oleifera leaf extract induced pulmonary embolism-a case report. Int J Emerg Med. 2022. PMID 35413819. DOI 10.1186/s12245-022-00419-3. (abstract)
  16. Foong SC, Tan ML, Foong WC, et al.. Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020. PMID 32421208. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD011505.pub2. (abstract)
  17. Frontiers in Pharmacology review. Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree): nutraceutical, cosmetological and medicinal importance: a review. Front Pharmacol 15:1288382. 2024. (summary-only)
  18. Fu Z, Liu G, Du L, et al.. Soil-applied selenite increases selenium and reduces cadmium in roots of Moringa oleifera. Sci Rep. 2020. PMID 33230176. DOI 10.1038/s41598-020-77350-1. (abstract)
  19. Fungtammasan S, Phupong V. The effect of Moringa oleifera capsule in increasing breast milk volume in early postpartum patients: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X. 2022. PMID 36440058. DOI 10.1016/j.eurox.2022.100171. (abstract)
  20. GBIF Secretariat. GBIF backbone: Moringa oleifera Lam.. GBIF API. 2026. (full-text)
  21. Gómez-Martínez S, Díaz-Prieto LE, Vicente Castro I, et al.. Moringa oleifera Leaf Supplementation as a Glycemic Control Strategy in Subjects with Prediabetes. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 35010932. DOI 10.3390/nu14010057. (abstract)
  22. Jin D, Jin S, Zhou T, et al.. Effects of Moringa oleifera supplementation on immune and nutritional biomarkers in adults living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2025. PMID 40989801. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2025.1667158. (abstract)
  23. Khanam M, Sanin KI, Ara G, et al.. Effects of Moringa oleifera leaves on hemoglobin and serum retinol levels and underweight status among adolescent girls in rural Bangladesh. Front Nutr. 2022. PMID 35938103. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2022.959890. (abstract)
  24. Liu R, Liu J, Huang Q, et al.. Moringa oleifera: a systematic review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2022. PMID 34718669. DOI 10.1093/jpp/rgab131. (abstract)
  25. LiverTox, NIDDK. Moringa (LiverTox). LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (Bookshelf). 2024. PMID 39047137. (summary-only)
  26. Manggul MS, Hidayanty H, Arifuddin S, et al.. Biscuits containing Moringa oleifera leaves flour improve conditions of anemia in pregnant women. Gac Sanit. 2021. PMID 34929809. DOI 10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.07.013. (abstract)
  27. Mazumder UK, Gupta M, Chakrabarti S, et al.. Evaluation of hematological and hepatorenal functions of methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. root treated mice. Indian J Exp Biol. 1999. PMID 10641193. (abstract)
  28. Mogaka JN, Owuor PM, Odhiambo S, et al.. Investigating the Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplemented to Kenyan Breastfeeding Mothers on Maternal and Infant Health: A Cluster Randomized Single-Blinded Controlled Pilot Trial Protocol. JPGN Rep. 2022. PMID 37168619. DOI 10.1097/PG9.0000000000000237. (abstract)
  29. Monera TG, Wolfe AR, Maponga CC, et al.. Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibit 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4. J Infect Dev Ctries. 2008. PMID 19745507. DOI 10.3855/jidc.201. (abstract)
  30. NCBI. NCBI Taxonomy: Moringa oleifera. NCBI Taxonomy. 2026. (full-text)
  31. NCBI PubChem. PubChem compound records. PubChem. 2026. (full-text)
  32. NCCIH. NCCIH: no Moringa page found. nccih.nih.gov. 2026. (full-text)
  33. NIH LactMed. LactMed: Moringa (NIH Drugs and Lactation Database). LactMed (NCBI Bookshelf NBK501899). 2026. (summary-only)
  34. Ngwenya N, Nuapia Y, Risenga I, Chimuka L. Influence of Different Rates of Plant-Based Compost on Clay Soil Metal Behavior and Human Health Risk Assessment in Moringa oleifera Leaf Biomass. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2024. PMID 38722367. DOI 10.1007/s00128-024-03894-x. (abstract)
  35. Olawoye OS, Adeagbo BA, Bolaji OO. Moringa oleifera leaf powder alters the pharmacokinetics of amodiaquine in healthy human volunteers. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018. PMID 29920710. DOI 10.1111/jcpt.12725. (abstract)
  36. Olurishe C, Kwanashie H, Zezi A, et al.. Chronic administration of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) may compromise glycaemic efficacy of Sitagliptin with no significant effect in retinopathy in a diabetic rat model. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016. PMID 27789327. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.065. (abstract)
  37. Prakash AO, Pathak S, Shukla S, et al.. Pre and post-implantation changes in the uteus of rats: response to moringa oleifera lam. Extract. Anc Sci Life. 1988. PMID 22557630. (abstract)
  38. Rotella R, Soriano JM, Llopis-González A, et al.. The Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on Anemia and other Variables during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023. PMID 37375577. DOI 10.3390/nu15122674. (abstract)
  39. Samarin MM, Sheikhhossein F, Khalilkhaneh AH, et al.. The Effect of Moringa oleifera on Body Weight and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Food Sci Nutr. 2026. PMID 42254443. DOI 10.1002/fsn3.71899. (abstract)
  40. Sarfraz A, Hussain MI, Ibtisam R, et al.. Synergistic effect of Moringa oleifera and Allium sativum on BMI and lipid profile: A randomized controlled trial. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2023. PMID 38008957. (abstract)
  41. Shija AE, Rumisha SF, Oriyo NM, et al.. Effect of Moringa Oleifera leaf powder supplementation on reducing anemia in children below two years in Kisarawe District, Tanzania. Food Sci Nutr. 2019. PMID 31428346. DOI 10.1002/fsn3.1110. (abstract)
  42. Stohs SJ, Hartman MJ. Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleifera. Phytother Res. 2015. PMID 25808883. DOI 10.1002/ptr.5325. (abstract)
  43. Tahiliani P, Kar A. Role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the regulation of thyroid hormone status in adult male and female rats. Pharmacol Res. 2000. PMID 10675284. DOI 10.1006/phrs.1999.0587. (abstract)
  44. Watanabe S, Okoshi H, Yamabe S, et al.. Moringa oleifera Lam. in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Molecules. 2021. PMID 34207664. DOI 10.3390/molecules26123513. (abstract)

Where to buy

Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:

  • The herb is the first or only ingredient
  • Organic or lab-tested if that matters to you
  • Loose leaf or tea bags, and how long they have been stored
  • If you take medicines or are pregnant, ask a pharmacist about the herb first

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.

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Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.