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Moringa-3 Ways To Use This Superfood

Updated: Apr 3


Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree of the family Moringaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent. Common names include moringa, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, and ben oil tree or benzolive tree.


Growing in tropical and subtropical regions, it is commonly referred to as the ‘miracle tree’. It is able to survive in harsh, drought conditions when most other plants would simply die.

Whilst all parts of the tree offer medicinal properties, the leaves can be consumed daily as food, either fresh or in dried powder form.






Moringa leaf powder (which is a concentrated form of the fresh leaves) has been shown to contain:

  • 46 types of antioxidants

  • 18 amino acids

  • 10 times the vitamin A of carrots

  • 15 times the potassium of bananas

  • 17 times the calcium of cows milk

  • 25 times the iron of spinach



Here are 3 recipes we love using our Organic Moringa Powder:





Seed & Ginger Moringa Energy Balls (Nut Free Recipe)

Ingredients

  • 1 heaped tablespoon moringa leaf powder

  • 150g (1 cup) mixed seeds (pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and flax seed)

  • 1 heaped teaspoon cinnamon powder

  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated ginger

  • 100g (⅔ cup) raisins

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Grind seeds along with the moringa powder and cinnamon in a food processor until you get a coarse meal.

  2. Add the raisins and vanilla extract and the process until everything clumps together.

  3. Roll into balls.

  4. Either serve immediately or pop into the fridge. They will keep (in a sealed container) in the fridge for a couple of weeks.

  5. You can also freeze these to increase their longevity for several months (they are edible immediately from frozen).



Moringa Sesame Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Sesame Oil (Toasted or Untoasted work great!)

  • 1/8 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (Or any other vinegar of choice)

  • 1/8 cup fresh lemon juice

  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic pressed or minced

  • 2 to 4 teaspoon moringa powder add to taste

  • 2 teaspoons Onion Powder

  • 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper more or less as desired

  • 1/2 teaspoon mineral rich salt, like himalayan

  • 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or equivalent of preferred sweetening option




Coconut & Date Moringa Energy Balls

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (115g) raw cashews

  • ¼ cup (25g) raw pistachios (almonds work well here too)

  • 15 dates, pitted and roughly chopped

  • 2 tsp (10ml) moringa powder

  • ¼ cup (25g) shredded (dessicated) coconut

  • 1 tbsp (15ml) coconut oil


Toppings (optional)

  • ¼ cup (25g) shredded (aka dessicated) coconut, toasted

  • 2 tsp (10ml) moringa powder

Preparation

  • Pulse the nuts in a food processor for a minute then add the rest of the ingredients and blend well until the mixture sticks together. Add more ground nuts or coconut if it feels too sticky or wet. Add more dates if it’s too dry.

  • Roll the mixture into balls and pop them into the fridge to set for an hour.

  • Drizzle with melted white chocolate, roll in toasted shredded coconut or dust with moringa powder. Store in fridge in an airtight container for 1 week or in the freezer up to 1 month.










The Magic of Butterfly Pea Flower

Updated: Apr 3




Butterfly Pea Flower, Clitoria ternatea, is a beautiful flowering vine that is native to South East Asia, mostly enjoyed in Thailand and Taiwan as a drink often mixed with honey and lemon.


The flowers are also infused into foods to prepare traditional dishes that display the rich blue hues that the flowers are so famously known for. Butterfly pea flowers have become increasingly popular among mixologists, as they produce deep blue colors when infused into water.



But they are perhaps most famous these days for their color changing magic...when citric acid is introduced to the brew, the color of the liquid will change from blue to bright violet purple! A splash of lemon or lime will do the trick.






5 Benefits to Drinking Butterfly Pea Flower Tea


1. Beauty

When applied topically, butterfly pea flower was shown to increase skin hydration by up to 70%! It was also shown to reduce inflammation, redness and swelling-all common skin complaints. Many skincare and cosmetic companies use butterfly pea flower in their products, due to this remarkable ability.


2. Rich in Antioxidants


Butterfly pea flowers are extremely rich in antioxidant compounds, called ternatins. These ternatins are the reason for the extreme color that they produce when infused, but they have also been shown to reduce inflammation and inhibit cancer cell growth. Another antioxidant compound found in butterfly pea flowers is known as kaemphferol, which has been studied extensively for its cancer-fighting properties. Along with p-coumarin acid, know for being anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antiviral, and Delphinidin-3,5-glucoside, also known to boost immune function and fight cancer cells.


3. Cognition


In Ayurvedic traditions of healing, Butterfly Pea Flower is considered one of the best brain herbs for improving memory, calming nervous conditions like anxiety and depression, and even used to help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer's. This is believed to be because of a compound present in the plant called, acetylcholine, which is memory enhancing and essential for brain health.


4. Reproductive Health


As the name may suggest, Clitoria ternatea, many early herbalist recognized the similarities between this flower and the female clitoris. The doctrine of signatures informs us of affinities of plants to humans-in this case, butterfly pea flower has been shown to be an effective aphrodisiac, increasing sperm production, and is often associated with fertility and safe childbirth.


5. Weight Management


One study showed that butterfly pea flower extract slowed the formation of fat cells by regulating certain pathways involved in cell progression. Another study also showed that some of the compounds found in butterfly pea flowers may also block the synthesis of fat cells in your body.






Using Nettles in 3 Different Ways

Updated: Apr 3



Stinging Nettles are often thought of as a rather unpleasant weed to come across in the wild. But any wildcrafter, forager or herbalist knows what a treat Nettles are! Fresh Nettles are an early spring staple, that tends to grow in abundance in boggy, wet, and disturbed areas. Usually alongside creeks and rivers, they thrive in partial to full shade, although I have seen some growing in areas with more sun. Their name is not joke, fresh Nettles have quite the sting to them, so if harvesting fresh, make sure to use protective gloves when handling and take care to only harvest where growing in abundance and in places that you are sure are not sprayed with any chemicals and at least 40ft back from any major roads.


While harvesting fresh nettles can be a fun and engaging way to interact with your local flora & fauna, dried nettles purchased from reputable sources is equally enjoyable and will do in a pinch or during seasons when nettles might not be as abundant. Check out our Organic Dried Nettles.



First up, Nettle Loaf


This is actually my favorite homemade bread recipe ever, mostly because it is so simple and really adaptable. You do not need to be an expert level bread maker with endless hours of free time on your plate because honestly, who has time like that. With just a few simple ingredients, an hour or two, and an oven, you totally have this.


Ingredients you will need:

2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1 tsp sugar

1 1/4 cup warm water (100-115° F or 38-47° C)

4-6 cloves of garlic (roughly chopped)

3 tsp dried Nettle

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 cup bread flour (you can use all-purpose flour in a pinch)


I find this recipe works best with a dutch oven, but you don't need one for this to work.


To begin, start by adding the active dry yeast and sugar in a bowl, then add your water (making sure it is within the temperature guidelines mentioned above). Give it a quick mix , cover with a towel and let sit for 5 mins.


Next add in dried nettles, garlic, and salt. Mix well. Begin to add in flour slowly, making sure to mix completely before adding in any more.


Once fully combined, it should still be pretty sticky, tip out onto a floured surface and cover it with flour. Then place in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Let rise someplace warm for 1 hour.


Tip onto a floured surface, and begin to shape by pulling outer edges and pulling them into the center, rotating slightly and repeating until a becomes tight. Place back into bowl and cover to let rise for another 30 mins.


During this time, get your oven all preheated to 460°F or 238°C. If using a dutch oven, place it in the oven during this time to also get hot.


After second rise, take out dutch oven and place on a heat proof surface, place dough directly in dutch oven-be careful to not touch the dutch oven as it will be very hot. Cover and place back in oven to bake for 30 mins, then take off top to bake uncovered for 10 mins. If not using a dutch oven, place on a baking tray and bake for 35 mins or until outside is crispy and golden.


Let cool & Enjoy!



Next, Nettle-Ade


This one is far less involved, but equally delicious!




Ingredients:

3 Tbsp Dried Nettles

1 C Hot Water

2 C Ice Cubes

2 Tbsp Honey

1 Lemon

2 C Sparkling Water


Start by making a strong nettle tea by placing the dried nettle in a tea pot with the hot water. Allow to steep for 15-20 mins.


Next prepare your cups, this recipe is meant for 2 servings. To a glass, add 1 Tbsp of honey and half the lemon, muddle gently. Fill glass with 1C of ice cubes. Pour in 1/2 C of the nettle tea, then fill the rest of the cup up with sparkling water. Repeat with other glass & enjoy!



And Lastly, Nettle Vinegar


This recipe is great because it is so versatile and has the longest shelf life!



Ingredients:

3/4 C Dried Nettle

1 1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar (or try Rice Vinegar or Red Wine Vinegar too!)


To make, simply combine nettles and vinegar in an air tight jar and store in a cool and dark place for 3-5 weeks. Then strain and store in a bottle to use in salad dressing recipes, marinades & so much more!



There are so many ways to use dried herbs, the limit is your imagination! Follow us on instagram for more herbal inspiration and check out our website to purchase organic dried herbs.

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