Side Effects of Moringa / Drumstick
Although UNESCO claims moringa to be ‘non-toxic, easily digestible source of nutrition’, the tree does have its quota of negative side effects. Listed below are some of the common ones.
- Avoid eating the root of the moringa tree. It contains alkaloid spirochin, which is a potential neuro-paralytic toxin and can cause paralysis and death.
- Leaves of moringa have laxative properties. When eaten in large quantities they may cause stomach upset, heart burn, gaseous distension, and diarrhea.
- Moringa when taken directly with water or raw may cause heart burns. It is better to cook it.
- The taste of moringa is not too pleasant. If you are using it for the first time, it may produce a gag reflex. It may also cause nausea when consumed in large quantities.
- The chemicals found in the roots, flowers and the bark could cause uterine contraction in pregnant women and may increase the risk of a miscarriage.
- Avoid moringa if breast feeding, since the chemicals may not be safe for the infants.
- Do not take moringa if you are on blood thinning medications such as warfarin.
- Studies have shown that moringa can also cause disorders affecting the blood such as gum bleeding, petechiae (red dots by bleeding under the skin because of broken blood vessels), lower number of blood platelets, and decrease in white blood cell count.
