Moringa and its benefits to mothers
A mother’s joy begin when new life is stirring inside …when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone. So it becomes very natural that pregnant ladies care much about their food habits. They give special care so that any harm can be avoided from the food taken by mother and the child. You all know that breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for your baby in the initial months after birth. But some women may experience a problem with their milk supply. Moringa is among many natural options that you can try to enhance your milk production.
Is Moringa Good for Lactating Mothers?
Moringa has been used for quite long to increase milk supply. This is because the Moringa leaves are said to be a galactagogue, a substance that helps in enhancing the milk supply. There have also been studies indicating that a woman can increase her breast milk production by consuming Moringa leaves. You may effectively consume Moringa leaves for lactation.
What does Moringa taste like?
Moringa has a delicious earthy green taste similar to spinach or matcha green tea.
Benefits of Moringa for new mothers
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Helps replenish lost nutrients: A mother’s nutrients are depleted during pregnancy. When you are tending to a newborn around the clock, it can be difficult to make the time to eat. Moringa is a great help during these times, of what you can consume quite easily to replenish lost nutrients, which helps in boosting recovery and overall energy levels. The leaves are rich in calcium, protein, potassium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, B and C, making it a super food for new mothers. Moringa is touted as containing more nutrients than whole foods. 100 grams of Moringa leaves contains:
-9 times the protein of yogurt
-10 times the vitamin A of carrots
-15 times the potassium of bananas
-17 times the calcium of milk
-12 times the vitamin C of oranges
Of course it’s impractical to consume 100 grams of chopped Moringa leaves, which is why it is more commonly consumed in powdered form or as tea. The high protein and calcium content of Moringa leaves make it an excellent source of nutrients for vegan mothers in particular.
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Meets the Calcium Requirements: Lactating mothers need an extra dosage of calcium because their body is making milk for their baby and, thus, there is more requirement of calcium in the body.
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Helps in Blood Clotting: Being rich in Vitamin K, Moringa helps in clotting the blood. It is particularly helpful to women who bleed heavily after delivery.
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Promotes hair growth: Elevated hormones do wonders for a woman’s hair while pregnant, boosting hair growth. Sadly, this reverses quite suddenly during the postpartum period as hormones return to their normal levels. It turns out that the nutrients present in Moringa leaves, specifically zinc, iron, amino acids, vitamin C and vitamin E, are all beneficial in addressing postpartum hair fall. And since Moringa leaf powder is entirely natural it becomes easier for the body to absorb.
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Balances new mother’s vata energy: According to Ayurveda, the process of childbirth creates space in the mother’s body and upsets her vata energy (which is related to air). Moringa can reduce the imbalance in vata, especially when moringa leaves are consumed with ghee or sesame oil. Moringa also provides warmth to the body and can improve digestion, which is beneficial during the postpartum recovery.
3 ways to include Moringa powder in your diet
1. Sip on warm Moringa tea
A perfect home remedy to experience lap of soothing for new mothers is a cup of warm tea. Powdered Moringa is gently sweetened with honey or dates to make an excellent tea. Add a dash of lemon if you like. Make sure to drink up any residue at the end.
Although Moringa powder is not completely soluble in water, it is the best way to make tea to make sure you are getting all the benefits.
2. Mix it in smoothies
It is recommended for new mothers to have warm food and drinks for first 2-3 weeks postpartum, Moringa powder makes an excellent smoothie ingredient. Start by adding half a teaspoon in your smoothie, and slowly increase to up to 1.5 teaspoon to give yourself time to adjust to its taste and effects.
3. Add it to your food
Moringa powder can be added to your soup, sprinkled in your salad, or can be blended in sauces or dips.
For maximum absorption of nutrients the best to have Moringa leaves is in the morning in an empty stomach. If that is not feasible, you can have Moringa leaves whatever time your schedule allows you to.
Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy.