Skip to main content
SupplementScience

Moringa Side Effects & Safety

Reviewed by·PharmD, BCPS

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Mild digestive upset (bloating, diarrhea) at higher doses
  • Possible thyroid interference from goitrogenic compounds at very high doses
  • Mild laxative effect in some individuals
  • Rarely: allergic reactions in people sensitive to Moringaceae family

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • May potentiate effects of thyroid medications due to goitrogenic compounds
  • May enhance blood-sugar-lowering effects of diabetes medications (additive hypoglycemia risk)
  • May increase effects of blood pressure medications (additive hypotension)
  • Avoid moringa root and bark — only the leaf is well-studied for safety

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 8g leaf powder daily (higher doses not well-studied in humans)

Full Moringa Guide

References

  1. Stohs SJ, Hartman MJ (2015). Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleifera. Phytotherapy Research. DOI PubMed
  2. Mbikay M (2012). Therapeutic Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaves in Chronic Hyperglycemia and Dyslipidemia: A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. DOI PubMed
  3. Jaiswal D, Kumar Rai P, Kumar A, Mehta S, Watal G (2009). Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves aqueous extract therapy on hyperglycemic rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. DOI PubMed
  4. Waterman C, Cheng DM, Rojas-Silva P, et al. (2015). Isothiocyanate-rich Moringa oleifera extract reduces weight gain, insulin resistance, and hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. DOI PubMed
  5. Leone A, Spada A, Battezzati A, Schiraldi A, Aristil J, Bertoli S (2015). Cultivation, Genetic, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Moringa oleifera Leaves: An Overview. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. DOI PubMed
  6. Taweerutchana R, Lumlerdkij N, Vannasaeng S, Akarasereenont P, Sriwijitkamol A (2017). Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Capsules on Glycemic Control in Therapy-Naïve Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. PubMed
  7. Vergara-Jimenez M, Almatrafi MM, Fernandez ML (2017). Bioactive Components in Moringa Oleifera Leaves Protect against Chronic Disease. Antioxidants. DOI PubMed