It’s probably not surprising if we find out that most Filipino moms have at some point boosted their malunggay or moringa consumption during their breastfeeding months, especially now that it’s widely acknowledged for its nutritional power. The thing is, not all malunggay can offer the same levels of nutrition we expect. And just because a supplement is made from moringa, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s of high quality and safe and effective for both mom and baby.

Filipino plant-based brand Sekaya (www.sekaya.com.ph) is revealing why it’s important for new moms to be more discerning about their sources of moringa supplements to get the most out of the nutritional wonders of the humble malunggay and cope with the demands of breastfeeding. Dr. Eca Lorenzo, internal medicine specialist and functional medicine practitioner, advises that moringa supplements of low quality may have harmful effects while some may not be nutritious enough to meet nursing needs.

Made from 100 percent pure and organic Moringa oleifera leaves powder, Sekaya Organic Moringa contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, wheat, artificial color, flavor, and fragrance for every breastfeeding mom’s peace of mind.

“While malunggay has no known side effects to breastfeeding moms and their babies, the moringa tree is also very good at sucking up toxins and pollutants from the soil and environment it’s planted in, and these toxins may then be present in the leaves,” she points out.

“If you’re taking a moringa supplement to enhance your milk supply, you must keep in mind that you’re taking a high concentration of malunggay in every dose. Low-quality moringa products may be unsafe in terms of their toxin content. If you don’t know from where they’re being sourced—clean vs. polluted sites—then you and your baby may be at risk of getting exposed to high amounts of toxins and may not be getting the most out of the supplement.” 

Because of this, Lorenzo stresses the importance of taking a good quality moringa supplement from a reputable brand to ensure that you are getting only the good and none of the bad, especially for those who are keen to exclusively breastfeed their newborns. 

“Studies have shown that dried moringa leaf powder contains seven times more vitamin C than oranges, 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 15 times more potassium than bananas, and 25 times more iron than spinach, helping moms replenish nutrients depleted during pregnancy and recover from the effects of childbirth,” she shares.

“As a galactagogue, dried moringa is effective because it offers 17 times more calcium than milk. It’s also a great source of protein, as 100 grams of fresh malunggay leaves may provide the body 6.7 grams of this macronutrient. Research also suggests that moringa may help increase prolactin, a hormone that mainly stimulates lactation.”

Sekaya, which has been aiming to raise the bar of natural health products in the Philippines, is preserving all these amazing health benefits to nourish nursing moms and their babies with Sekaya Organic Moringa, the only 500mg EU-certified organic moringa supplement in the market. The brand sources 100 percent of its moringa from local farms under the Moringaling Philippines Foundation, which have been certified organic by the European Union (EU) after fulfilling strict conditions and passing international standards. 

Made from 100 percent pure and organic Moringa oleifera leaves powder, Sekaya Organic Moringa contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy, wheat, artificial color, flavor and fragrance for every breastfeeding mom’s peace of mind. As a brand under Synnovate, the natural products division of Unilab, these moringa capsules are also processed in pharma-grade facilities and have gone through several laboratory tests to ensure their purity, safety and efficacy.