Moringa in Ayurveda with Radhika Mukhija

Growing up in India, Moringa was part of meals, long before it was called a superfood. Later, when I began studying Ayurveda, I understood how much wisdom was carried in this tree. Revered as Shigru – the arrow – Moringa in Ayurveda is known for its sharp, penetrating qualities that clear stagnation. 

If you’ve ever sat down to a South Indian meal, you may have tasted Moringa without even realizing it. The long green pods – known as drumsticks, which are the key ingredients in sambhar, a comforting lentil stew simmered with tamarind and spices, often served alongside a warm, crispy dosa, rice and lentil crepe, loved by many. Eating sambhar with drumstick pieces is an experience of its own, you gently chew the fibrous pod, savor the tender flesh inside and then set the husk aside.

To many that isn’t medicine at all – its everyday nourishment. 

What does Ayurveda say about Moringa 

Ayurveda teaches us that plants are more than nutrients – they are living energies that shape, body, mind and spirit. Moringa’s light sharp and warming nature makes int balancing for Vata and Kapha doshas. These qualities allow it to clear sluggishness, stimulate digestion and bring back energy into the system. For those with excess Pitta that is heat or acidity, Moringa can be used with moderation. 

Ayurvedic name for Moringa

In Sanskrit, Moringa is called Shigru, a word that translates to arrow. This name captures its action perfectly – Moringa moves swiftly and directly, cutting through blockages and supporting flow to the body’s channels. 

Traditional Use of Moringa in Ayurveda

Across India, Moringa has been valued for centuries as both food and herbal solution. Its leaves are cooked into dals, stir-fries, or dried and powdered for strength and nourishment. The pods- those long drumsticks I grew up eating in sambhar – are used in everyday dishes that support digestion and joint health. The seeds and oil have found their place in cooking and skincare, while the roots and bark are applied more sparingly in Ayurvedic formulation for their stimulating effects. 

The versatility reflects an Ayurvedic truth – the line between food and herbal wellness is fluid.

When plants like Moringa become part of daily meals or rituals, they do more than feed the body – they sustain wellness. 

Energetics of Moringa 

Ayurveda understands every plant through its rasa(taste), guna(qualities), virya (thermal effect), and prabhava (unique potency). These layers describe not just what Moringa contains but how it feels in the body and how it influences the doshas. 

While it primarily has a warming quality, its fluid quality is drying(ruksha) helping to reduce excess moisture and congestion. Structurally, it is stimulating and penetrating (tikshna) moving quickly into the tissues to release stagnation.

Moringa’s Rasa

Its taste or rasa, combines pungent (katu), bitter (tikta) and astringent (kashaya). These tastes are naturally detoxifying, clarifying and supportive of liver, blood and digestion.

Moringa’s Gunas

The gunas or inherent qualities of Moringa are light (laghu), dry (ruksha) and sharp (tikshna). Together, these explain why Moringa feels energizing and clarifying in the body, though for someone with high heat or dryness, it can feel too intense. 

Is Moringa warming or cooling

Moringa in Ayurveda is considered warming or ushna virya. Its heat stokes digestion, boosts circulation, and clears sluggishness, making it especially supportive in winter and spring months when Kapha tends to accumulate. At the same time, its intensity means that those with strong Pitta should consume it in moderation. 

In summary, Moringa’s energetics are warming, drying, stimulating and clarifying – making it strong balancer for Vata and Kapha when used mindfully

When and how to take Moringa 

Because of its stimulating and energizing qualities, Moringa is often best taken in the morning to support energy for the day. Seasonally, it is most helpful in the cooler months beginning fall and in winter and spring as well, when Kapha dosha tends to rise and create heaviness, congestion or sluggishness. During times of fatigue, low immunity or poor digestion, Moringa can also be especially beneficial.

Moringa Powder 

One of the simplest ways to enjoy Moringa today is through Organic India’s Moringa powder. Made from shade-dried leaves, the powder mixes effortlessly into smoothies, teas or even warm water with lemon. I often add a teaspoon to my smoothies for an easy boost of nourishment that feels grounding yet energizing.

Beyond its traditional Ayurvedic qualities, Moringa naturally contains amino acids – the building blocks of protein. This is one of the reasons I love the Moringa powder as it makes it easy to add to drinks for not only balancing the doshas, it also supports steady energy, muscle recovery and overall strength. 

For those who prefer convenience, capsules, teas and even a delectable chocolate moringa latte are other ways to take Moringa daily. But for me the powder feels closest to the kitchen tradition I grew up with: simple, versatile, deeply nourishing. 

What organs does Moringa support?

Moringa is particularly supportive for the liver, where it can help aid detoxification and cleansing. It supports digestion by awakening agni, the digestive fire and may purify the blood to support circulation. It can also potentially benefit the joints and muscles, easing stiffness and improving mobility, another reason it has been part of meals as well as traditional herbal solutions. 

Benefits of Moringa in Ayurveda

The benefits of Moringa in Ayurveda are wide-ranging. It clears toxins(ama) from the tissues, stimulates healthy digestion and assimilation and boosts energy. It supports joint comfort and mobility while also reinforcing the overall immune system. Moringa is a plant that nourishes while cleanses. 

Who should avoid Moringa

Those with excess Pitta might find it too heating. Pregnant women should avoid as it might stimulate the uterus. And anyone taking medication for blood sugar or blood pressure should consult with a healthcare provider before consuming Moringa. 

In closing

Moringa is more than a nutrient rich plant – it is part of cultural memory and daily life. For me it carries the taste of sambhar and dosa, the comfort of family meals and a reminder that food is also medicine.

Ayurveda teaches us that food is not only about calories and vitamins but also about energy, qualities and alignment with nature.

Moringa clears what is heavy and ignites what is dull and helps bring a sense of lightness to overall wellbeing

Learn more about Moringa in this article: Moringa vs. Spirulina vs. Wheatgrass: Super Green Rank, or experience its goodness with Delicious Matcha Moringa Latte (non-dairy, iced or hot).