Moringa oil is a particular type of oil which is obtained from the seeds of the Moringa oleifera tree. This type of tree mostly grows in subtropical and tropical areas of the world which are known for being semi-arid. It is considered a true wonder plant, native from the tropical regions of Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. Called “the tree of life”, Moringa is regarded as a life-giving, health-restoring plant with endless benefits. The whole tree, from bark to leaves and seeds, has therapeutic properties and is used for food, health, and nutrition. However, of all the parts of the Moringa tree, the oil is the most precious treasure. Moringa oil is also sometimes referred to as Ben oil because it has high amounts of behenic acid and is probably the most stable type of oil known to man.
Moringa oil is extracted from the seeds of Moringa tree through cold pressed method. In olden times, it was extracted using hand pressing.
Health benefits of Moringa Oil
Moringa oil comes from the seeds of Moringa Oleifera Tree. These are extremely rich in phytonutrients and can make a great impact on your overall health. Moringa oil is remarkably famous for the numerous benefits that it offers. It is really famous in the skin and beauty care industry. Listed below are some of the popular health benefits of using Moringa oil
1. Moringa oil is packed with a whole lot of anti-oxidants.
2. Due to its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, Moringa oil is great for helping with sunburn. Gently rubbed into the affected area, it will reduce the discomfort. It can also be used in the same way to treat insect bites.
3. With all the antioxidants contained in Moringa oil, it’s no wonder that it is widely used by the cosmetics industry in anti-ageing creams. The oil is famous for its skin benefits.
4. Moringa oil is one of the best moisturizers for the skin. It should be applied to the skin as massage oil. It imparts glow to the skin and makes it well moisturized, but not too oiled.
5. With its vitamin content and the multitude of antioxidants, moringa oil softens the skin on your dry, scorched heels, nourishes and repairs the cracked skin. Apply a few drops of moringa oil on your cracked heels and gently massage them each evening, before going to bed. Then, put some soft, fluffy socks on (to keep moisture) overnight and see the results in the morning.
6. Moringa oil gently soothes pain, reduces inflammation and promotes the healing process.
7. Moringa oil is really famous as the massage oil. It is ideal for people with dry scalp.
Buying and Storage
Moringa oil is one of the most stable oils. It hardly gets rancid and can be used for many days. Though it is extracted using various processes, the healthiest one is the cold pressed oil. It is denser, has more color and even more taste than filtered or solvent extracted oils.
Where does Moringa oil come from?
Moringa oil comes from the seeds of the Moringa tree. Seeds have an outer hull protecting an inner seed kernel. The seed kernel, on average, contains 40% oil by weight. Oil is normally extracted by compressing the Moringa seeds in a screw press. Cold pressing the oil, which produces the highest quality product, also extracts the least amount of oil from the seeds. To extract more oil from the seeds, some manufacturers will heat the seeds and press or even use solvents. This practice increases the amount of oil obtained by nearly 50% but at the expense of the quality and purity level of the final product. Always be sure to look for cold pressed Moringa oil.
Approximately 500 Moringa seeds are required to produce 1 oz (29.6 mL) of cold pressed oil. This means it takes about 35 mature seed pods to produce 1 oz. of oil! Now you know why cold pressed Moringa oil can cost as much as $10/oz. for small quantities!
Precautions
Consuming the oil during pregnancy can be harmful.
Moringa Oil Facts
Moringa oil is extracted from the seeds of Moringa tree (Moringa oleifera), the Drumstick tree or Ben Nut Tree. It is considered a true wonder plant, native from the tropical regions of Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. Called “the tree of life”, Moringa is regarded as a life-giving, health-restoring plant with endless benefits. The whole tree, from bark to leaves and seeds, has therapeutic properties and is used for food, health, and nutrition. However, of all the parts of the Moringa tree, the oil is the most precious treasure.