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Various Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Nursing Mothers, Come See!

Oleh Yama

Breast milk is widely considered to be the best food source for newborns. Breast milk is rich in nutrients and antibodies, contains everything a baby needs to survive infection, prevent allergies, and support a baby’s fragile immune system and overall health.

Although breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding, is highly recommended, there are several factors that prevent mothers from giving breast milk, so they replace it with formula milk. One of the factors is the not smooth production of breast milk.

If you want to increase your milk supply in a natural and safe way, nursing mothers can consume Moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera). This is because Moringa leaves contain galactagogue, a substance that helps increase milk supply.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the various benefits of Moringa leaves for nursing mothers!

1. Contains many important nutrients that breastfeeding mothers need

Various Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Nursing Mothers, Come See!pixabay.com/svibhandik

Moringa plant is one of the plant species in the family Moringaceae which is resistant to growing in dry tropical areas. This species is one of the most useful plants, because all parts of the plant such as leaves, flowers and roots can be used for various purposes, both in the medical and industrial fields (Sjofjan, 2008).

According to information from FoodData Central property of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the leaf part of the moringa plant is a good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals. A cup of chopped fresh moringa leaves (21 grams) contains:

  • Protein: 2 grams
  • Vitamin B6: 19 percent of the nutritional adequacy rate (RDA)
  • Vitamin C: 12 percent of the RDA
  • Iron: 11 percent of the RDA
  • Riboflavin (B2): 11 percent of the RDA
  • Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9 percent of the RDA
  • Magnesium: 8 percent of the RDA

In many countries, dried moringa leaves are available as a dietary supplement, either in powder or capsule form.

Launch HealthlineCompared to the leaves, the pods of the moringa plant generally contain lower levels of vitamins and minerals. However, the pods are rich in vitamin C. One cup of sliced ​​moringa pods (100 grams) contains 157 percent of the daily RDA for vitamin C.

However, there is one drawback of the moringa plant, that the leaves contain high levels of anti-nutritional substances, which can reduce the absorption of minerals and protein.

2. Increase milk supply

Various Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Nursing Mothers, Come See!pexels.com/Wendy Wei

For breastfeeding mothers, there is no doubt that one of the most amazing and scientifically proven benefits of Moringa leaves is to increase breast milk supply. Moringa leaves are galactagogue naturally, substances that encourage or increase milk flow. It has been used since ancient times to increase milk supply as well as provide a source of food for babies and mothers.

A review of five scientific studies examining Moringa leaves and their impact on deep breast milk The Philippines Journal of Pediatrics in 2013, found that this plant can increase the volume of breast milk compared to placebo.

According to animal studies in the journal Antioxidants (Basel) in 2017, it was found that Moringa oleifera rich in nutrients and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Although further research in humans is needed, there are published small-scale studies of breastfeeding mothers LactMed in 2018 which stated that there were no reported adverse side effects.

Also Read: Dear Mom, This is the Reason for the Importance of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding (IMD)

3. Blood clotting process

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Moringa leaves are a good source of vitamin K. This vitamin can help the blood clotting process. Launch FirstCry Parenting, the benefits of vitamin K are quite significant, especially for women who have just experienced bleeding or after childbirth.

Launch Forbes, vitamins are metabolized and stored in the liver, not floating freely throughout the body. Thus, almost no vitamin K in pregnant women crosses the placenta. Therefore, all babies are born deficient in vitamin K, putting them at risk for uncontrolled bleeding.

Although rare, bleeding from vitamin K deficiency can have dangerous consequences, potentially resulting in gross motor skills deficits; long-term neurological, cognitive, or developmental problems; organ failure; until death.

In addition, vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting and is very important for new mothers and their babies. Vitamin K is actually given to newborns by injection or oral tablet when they are born. It is also important for mothers who have just given birth to avoid abnormal bleeding.

4. Able to reduce fatigue

Various Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Nursing Mothers, Come See!freepik.com/senivpetro

Iron is essential for reducing postpartum fatigue. The condition experienced by most new mothers is lack of sleep. New mothers also often become deficient in iron due to blood loss during labor, and this can lead to extreme fatigue and a general feeling of weakness.

Therefore, breastfeeding mothers must meet their daily iron needs in order to ward off fatigue. In addition, after blood loss during childbirth, consumption of Moringa leaves can help produce the lost blood.

How to eat Moringa leaves?

Various Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Nursing Mothers, Come See!pixabay.com/gesundesleben

Nursing mothers can consume Moringa leaves in fresh form (made into a salad mixture or made into soup), in powder or capsule form as a dietary supplement. smoothie or juice, and so on.

Launch FirstCry Parenting, a safe dose for consumption is 1,000 mg / kg body weight. If consumed above 3,000 mg / kg body weight, it is feared that adverse side effects could occur.

A report in a journal Pharmacognosy Research In 2012, powdered moringa was considered safe in human studies, even in larger than usual doses. However, avoid consuming moringa seeds and moringa seed extract, as according to a study in the journal PLoS One in 2013, reported levels of toxicity to immune cells.

Quoting from Mind Body GreenMoringa plant has a laxative side effect if consumed in large quantities or causes stomach upset. So, it’s good to start consuming it in small doses, which is 1/2 to 1 spoon per day.

Tips for selecting and processing Moringa leaves

Various Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Nursing Mothers, Come See!pixabay.com/svibhandik

Some things that need to be considered when you want to use, process, and consume Moringa leaves include:

  • Choose parts of the leaves that are green and look fresh
  • Don’t choose leaves that are wilted, look pale, or have a yellowish color
  • Consume it in moderation, as excessive consumption may have harmful effects on the liver and kidneys
  • Don’t overcook the moringa leaves because it can deplete all of its essential nutrients

Those are some of the health benefits of Moringa leaves for nursing mothers, including to accelerate milk production. However, to be safe, first consult your doctor if you want to consume it regularly.

Also Read: What is the Risk of COVID-19 for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women? These are the facts

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