Can Pregnant Women Take Moringa?

Around the world, women have relied on moringa to boost the wellness of themselves and their children. Moringa is a superfood that can also help with nursing for new mothers, by increasing the quality and quantity of breast milk. But many women wonder if they can take moringa while pregnant. As a daily consumer of moringa, this question hit home for me a few months ago when I found out that I was pregnant.

A few years ago, a major retailer had requested that Kuli Kuli put a pregnancy disclaimer on our packaging based on two studies in the 1980s that showed how moringa leaves might act as a contraceptive in rats. However, a more recent study in mice showed the exact opposite – that moringa leaves actually improved the reproductive performance in mice.

What’s a girl to believe? I decided to dig in further on the research and reach out to multiple doctors. As always, Kuli Kuli recommends checking with your doctor for any further questions.

Is Moringa Safe to Consume While Trying to Get Pregnant?

I know so many new mothers swear by the benefits of moringa on their breastmilk supply, and that there are documented ways that moringa benefits women. But was moringa safe to consume while trying to get pregnant or during the early stages of pregnancy?

CEO and Founder, Lisa Curtis.

According to WebMD, the main concern around moringa is not the leaves, but the roots, bark, or flowers of moringa. Moringa root contains a toxin used historically in traditional medicine, that causes the uterus to contract. But moringa leaves are a different story, as they are packed with vitamins, iron, and more.

I decided to ask my doctor about her thoughts on consuming moringa before, during and after pregnancy. My doctor was actually quite familiar with moringa, as her Filipino family eats moringa on a regular basis. She had also researched moringa from a scientific perspective. She gave me a resounding “yes” on consuming moringa while trying to get pregnant and throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.

I quickly discovered that there were unexpectedly positive side effects to taking organic moringa powder – it actually helped with many of my pregnancy symptoms, including fatigue and constipation.

Here are the top three benefits I’ve experienced while consuming moringa throughout my pregnancy.

1) Moringa is a Caffeine-Free Alternative to Coffee

Many of us need coffee to get the energy we need to go about our days. However, caffeine during pregnancy is generally limited to small doses, and some doctors recommend eliminating it entirely. Coffee is a stimulant and diuretic, meaning that it can increase blood pressure as well as heart rate.

The concern around coffee is that babies in the womb do not have the ability to metabolize caffeine the way adults do. Although studies are inconclusive, many experts say that strictly limiting coffee—or cutting it out completely—might be best for the health of the baby.

Moringa can offer a healthy option that is energizing, without the afternoon crash that coffee offers. After increasing my daily dose of moringa – adding the Pure Organic Moringa Powder to my morning oatmeal with a scoop of almond butter and drinking a Green Tea Wellness Shot every afternoon, I felt a difference. I found that particularly in the first and third trimesters, this extra energy boost has been critical to my ability to continue to run Kuli Kuli effectively. I experimented a few times with taking days off from consuming moringa and definitely found a noticeable difference in my energy levels.

2) Moringa Can Help With Overall Energy and Fight Fatigue 

Women in the later stages of pregnancy need to prioritize three nutrients: calcium, iron, and folic acid. Prenatal vitamins can help with this, but are not readily available in some parts of the world. One tablespoon of Pure Moringa Vegetable Powder can provide about 50% RDV iron, 15% RDV of calcium, and 5 mg folic acid.

Lisa with daily her moringa smoothie

As CEO and Founder, I have a lot on my plate that needs to get done each day; moringa is part of my daily health routine that makes it all possible. I’m a big believer in treating my body right, and that if I’ve well-nourished and well-rested, anything is possible.

The fascinating aspect of being pregnant during COVID-19 is that very few people knew that I was pregnant since I’ve been doing all my meetings virtually. Everyone was shocked when I told them a few weeks ago, which to me was an interesting confirmation that pregnancy hadn’t slowed me down at all.

I wrote an article about this experience called 5 Reasons Quarantine is the Best Time to Be Pregnant.

3) Moringa Helps Keep the Body Regular 

A lot of pregnant women struggle with staying regular and constipation can be unpleasant, if not painful. With an expanding uterus, it is common for bowel movements during pregnancy to become irregular. Stool softeners are also a concern for many to-be mothers. Drinking water, staying as active as possible, and adding fiber to one’s diet are common tips for staying regular.

Moringa is packed with fiber, and has been an easy part of my daily health routine. Though it may sound strange to put it in print – moringa really does help me poop!

Summary: Moringa Has Helped This CEO Get It Done 

Women have enough on their plate to add a complicated health routine to their daily life. Luckily, moringa has been huge in helping me stay healthy during my pregnancy. It also has helped me stay energized and comfortable throughout the busy work day.

We also have a great article summarizing 3 Ways Moringa Helps New Mothers, as well as it’s complimentary article, Breastfeeding? Moringa Can Help. We hope these cover the range of questions around moringa’s benefits for women.

At Kuli Kuli, we believe that moringa is one piece of the larger health puzzle. Has moringa helped you during pregnancy? Let us know in the comments!

Lisa Curtis with her partner showing off her “bump”

Follow us @kulikulifoods or leave us a comment below. We’d love to know your favorite ways to enjoy the benefits of this miracle tree.