Age Ayurveda Nighantu

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%).

Key facts
Botanical nameMoringa oleifera
FamilyMoringaceae
OrderBrassicales
Also known asShigru Patra, ShigruPatra
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3054181 · NCBI Taxonomy 3735

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishShigru Patra

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Katu, TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-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

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

  1. Liu R, Liu J, Huang Q and others. 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
  2. Watanabe S, Okoshi H, Yamabe S and others. 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

  1. Klimek-Szczykutowicz M, Gaweł-Bęben K, Rutka A and others. 2024. Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree)-nutraceutical, cosmetological and medicinal importance: a reviewFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 38370483 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1288382
  2. Rode SB, Dadmal A, Salankar HV. 2022. Nature's Gold (Moringa Oleifera): Miracle PropertiesCureus. PMID 35949760 · doi:10.7759/cureus.26640
  3. Ercan K, Gecesefa OF, Taysi ME and others. 2021. Moringa Oleifera: A Review of Its Occurrence, Pharmacological Importance and Oxidative StressMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 32723270 · doi:10.2174/1389557520999200728162453
  4. Xiao X, Wang J, Meng C and others. 2020. Moringa oleifera Lam and its Therapeutic Effects in Immune DisordersFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 33390944 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.566783
  5. Lopez-Rodriguez NA, Gaytán-Martínez M, de la Luz Reyes-Vega M and others. 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
  6. Dhakad AK, Ikram M, Sharma S and others. 2019. Biological, nutritional, and therapeutic significance of Moringa oleifera LamPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 31453658 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6475
  7. Tiloke C, Anand K, Gengan RM and others. 2018. Moringa oleifera and their phytonanoparticles: Potential antiproliferative agents against cancerBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 30241049 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.060
  8. Paikra BK, Dhongade HKJ, Gidwani B. 2017. Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Moringa oleifera LamJournal of pharmacopuncture. PMID 30087795 · doi:10.3831/KPI.2017.20.022
  9. Stohs SJ, Hartman MJ. 2015. Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleiferaPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 25808883 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5325
  10. Abdull Razis AF, Ibrahim MD, Kntayya SB. 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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