Shigru Patra
Moringa oleifera
Shigru Patra (Moringa oleifera) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Heat processing above 70 deg C inactivates myrosinase and reduces isothiocyanate formation — use raw or mildly heated preparations. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides show moderate bioavailability (20-35%).
| Botanical name | Moringa oleifera |
|---|---|
| Family | Moringaceae |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Also known as | Shigru Patra, ShigruPatra |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3054181 · NCBI Taxonomy 3735 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Shigru Patra |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Katu, Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Swarasa (fresh juice), Tea/Infusion, Vati (tablet), Granules
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g leaf powder per day; 500-1000 mg standardized extract capsule twice daily; 10-20 mL swarasa daily; 1-2 cups infusion daily
Bioavailability: Isothiocyanate compounds (derived from glucosinolates by myrosinase activation) show good oral bioavailability (50-70%) when consumed from fresh/minimally processed leaves. Heat processing above 70 deg C inactivates myrosinase and reduces isothiocyanate formation — use raw or mildly heated preparations. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides show moderate bioavailability (20-35%). Iron and calcium from leaves have moderate bioavailability (10-20%), enhanced by vitamin C content.
Optimal Timing: Morning with breakfast for nutritional supplementation; before meals for blood sugar management
Standardized Extract: Freeze-dried leaf powder retaining NLT 0.5% total isothiocyanates (as moringin equivalents); standardized extract (5:1) NLT 3% total flavonoids (as quercetin equivalents) and NLT 1% chlorogenic acid by HPLC
Shelf Life: 18 months for leaf powder in nitrogen-flushed packets; 24 months for capsules; 12 months for tea bags
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight, light-proof containers. Nitrogen-flushed packaging critical for powder to prevent chlorophyll degradation and lipid oxidation. RH <50%.
Marker Compounds: Moringin (4-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyloxy)benzyl isothiocyanate), Quercetin-3-glucoside, Kaempferol-3-glucoside, Chlorogenic acid, Beta-carotene, Niazimicin, Niazirin
Extraction Methods
- Low-temperature aqueous extraction (<50 deg C to preserve myrosinase)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Fresh leaf juice (cold pressing)
- Spray-drying of aqueous extract at low temperature
- Freeze-drying for maximum nutrient and enzyme preservation
Synergistic Combinations
- Amalaki (vitamin C enhances iron absorption from Moringa)
- Haridra (anti-inflammatory-nutritive combination)
- Ashwagandha (adaptogenic and nutritive synergy)
- Guduchi (immunomodulatory formulations)
- Spirulina (comprehensive nutritional supplement)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2
- 2022. Moringa oleifera: a systematic review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicityThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 34718669 · doi:10.1093/jpp/rgab131
- 2021. Moringa oleifera Lam. in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34207664 · doi:10.3390/molecules26123513
Other clinical studies and reviews10
- 2024. Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree)-nutraceutical, cosmetological and medicinal importance: a reviewFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 38370483 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1288382
- 2022. Nature's Gold (Moringa Oleifera): Miracle PropertiesCureus. PMID 35949760 · doi:10.7759/cureus.26640
- 2021. Moringa Oleifera: A Review of Its Occurrence, Pharmacological Importance and Oxidative StressMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 32723270 · doi:10.2174/1389557520999200728162453
- 2020. Moringa oleifera Lam and its Therapeutic Effects in Immune DisordersFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 33390944 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.566783
- 2020. Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera: Chemical and Biological ApproachesPlant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands). PMID 32909179 · doi:10.1007/s11130-020-00851-x
- 2019. Biological, nutritional, and therapeutic significance of Moringa oleifera LamPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 31453658 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6475
- 2018. Moringa oleifera and their phytonanoparticles: Potential antiproliferative agents against cancerBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 30241049 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.060
- 2017. Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Moringa oleifera LamJournal of pharmacopuncture. PMID 30087795 · doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.022
- 2015. Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleiferaPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 25808883 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5325
- 2014. Health benefits of Moringa oleiferaAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. PMID 25374169 · doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.20.8571
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