Moringa leaf tea as an antihyperglycemic alternative of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the elderly
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33024/minh.v8i1.834
Alternative Therapy Antihyperglycemic Elderly Moringa Leaf Tea Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance or decreased insulin secretion. Herbal complementary therapies are increasingly in demand as an alternative to managing blood sugar levels. However, studies of its effectiveness as a single therapy in the elderly have not been widely researched.
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of moringa leaf tea as an antihyperglycemic alternative in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Method: A case report study conducted on one participant to evaluate the effect of moringa leaf tea on fasting blood sugar levels in elderly people with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). This approach was chosen to document individual responses to herbal interventions in actual clinical conditions and provide an in-depth picture of changes in blood sugar levels after intervention. The patient in this study was a 61-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with type 2 DM for one year and was not taking antihyperglycemic drugs. The participant had a history of non-compliance with pharmacological therapy due to previously felt side effects.
Results: Before the intervention, the patient reported experiencing typical symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as frequent thirst, increased urination frequency especially at night, and fatigue that interfered with daily activities. Blood sugar levels were measured before the intervention, and were found to be 256 mg/dL, indicating hyperglycemia. After consuming moringa leaf tea 3 times a day for three consecutive days, blood sugar levels decreased and on the 3rd day it was 220 mg/dL. In addition, the patient also reported improvements in clinical symptoms, such as reduced thirst, increased urination frequency especially at night, and increased energy.
Conclusion: Consumption of Moringa leaf tea can lower blood sugar levels in elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus without antidiabetic drugs. In addition, improvements in clinical symptoms such as reduced thirst, urination frequency, and increased energy were also observed.
Suggestion: Further studies are needed with larger samples and longer intervention periods to evaluate its long-term efficacy and safety. In addition, this study can explore more deeply the molecular mechanisms associated with the antihyperglycemic effects of Moringa leaves and its potential in natural therapy-based diabetes management strategies.
Downloads
References
Ahmad, E., Lim, S., Lamptey, R., Webb, D. R., & Davies, M. J. (2022). Type 2 diabetes. The Lancet, 400(10365), 1803-1820.
Ahmad, J., Khan, I., & Blundell, R. (2019). Moringa oleifera and glycemic control: A review of current evidence and possible mechanisms. Phytotherapy research, 33(11), 2841-2848.
Alsahli, M., & Gerich, J. E. (2014). Normal glucose physiology. In Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases. Vol 1, Pages 72-86. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128012383038277?via%3Dihub
Ayobami, A. L., Kade, E. A., Oladimeji, K. A., Kehinde, S., & Gurpreet, K. (2020). Anti-diabetic Potential of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum and Vernonia amygdalina in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. bioRxiv, 2020-08.
Gul, P., Khan, J., Li, Q., & Liu, K. (2025). Moringa oleifera in a modern time: A comprehensive review of its nutritional and bioactive composition as a natural solution for managing diabetes mellitus by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Food Research International, 115671.
Khan, M. A. B., Hashim, M. J., King, J. K., Govender, R. D., Mustafa, H., & Al Kaabi, J. (2020). Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes—global burden of disease and forecasted trends. Journal of epidemiology and global health, 10(1), 107-111.
Liu, J., Lv, Y. J., Pan, J. X., Jiang, Y. L., Zhu, Y. J., & Zhang, S. K. (2022). Effects of tea polyphenols and EGCG on glucose metabolism and intestinal flora diabetic mice fed a cornstarch-based functional diet. Food Science and Technology (Brazil), 42.
Ministry of Health of Republic of Indonesia. (2018). Laporan Nasional Riskesdas. Retrieved from: https://repository.badanpolitik.kemkes.go.id/id/eprint/3514/1/Laporan%20Riskesdas%202018%20Nasional.pdf
Mthiyane, F. T., Dludla, P. V., Ziqubu, K., Mthembu, S. X., Muvhulawa, N., Hlengwa, N., & Mazibuko-Mbeje, S. E. (2022). A review on the antidiabetic properties of Moringa oleifera extracts: focusing on oxidative stress and inflammation as main therapeutic targets. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 940572.
Mujianti, C., & Sukmawati, N. L. K. (2018). Efek Antihiperglikemik Teh Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera) pada Wanita Dewasa Dengan Pradiabetes. KESMAS: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Sam Ratulangi, 7(6).
Nakrani, M. N., Wineland, R. H., & Anjum, F. (2020). Physiology, glucose metabolism. Retrieved from: https://europepmc.org/article/NBK/nbk560599
Nova, E., Redondo-Useros, N., Martínez-García, R. M., Gómez-Martínez, S., Díaz-Prieto, L. E., & Marcos, A. (2020). Potential of Moringa oleifera to improve glucose control for the prevention of diabetes and related metabolic alterations: a systematic review of animal and human studies. Nutrients, 12(7), 2050.
Nurrochimah, E. A. (2018). Pengaruh Pemberian Teh Daun Kelor Terhadap Kadar Gula Darah Pada Lansia dengan DM Tipe 2 di Posyandu Lansia RW 05 dan 06 Sidomulyo Kelurahan Sidotopo Wetan Kecamatan Kenjeran Surabaya (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya).
Omodanisi, E. I., Aboua, G. Y., & Oguntibeju, O. O. (2017). Therapeutic potentials and pharmacological properties of moringa oleifera lam in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and related complications. Tropical journal of pharmaceutical research, 16(7), 1737-1746.
Putri, L. R., & Yuniarti, E. (2023). Literature Review: Effectiveness of Moringa Leaves (Moringa oleifera) to Diabetes Mellitus. Jurnal Biologi Tropis, 23(3), 369-373.
Putri, M. M., & Pujiyanto, P. (2025). The management of complementary therapies to stabilize glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Interdiciplinary Journal & Hummanity (INJURITY), 4(1).
Risnawati, R., & Demmalewa, J. Q. (2022). Perbedaan Efektifitas Terapi Rebusan Daun Kelor dan Jus Apel terhadap Penurunan Kadar Gula Darah pada Penderita DM Tipe 2. Jurnal Kesehatan Manarang, 8(1), 75-81.
Rofianti, K., & Septiani, S. (2022). Dampak Pemberian Teh Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera) terhadap Kadar Glukosa Darah pada Penderita Diabetes Melitus Tipe 2 di Wilayah Puskesmas Kecamatan Cakung, Jakarta Timur. AgriHealth: Journal of Agri-food, Nutrition and Public Health, 3(2), 96-103.
Setiyorini, E., Qomaruddin, M. B., Wibisono, S., Juwariah, T., Setyowati, A., Wulandari, N. A., & Sari, L. T. (2022). Complementary and alternative medicine for glycemic control of diabetes mellitus: A systematic review. Journal of Public Health Research, 11(3), 22799036221106582.
Syamhadi, M. R., Kalanjati, V. P., Abdurachman, A., Prasetiowati, L., Aditya, D. M. N., Pamungkas, D. B., & Nasution, M. H. (2024). Effects of Methotrexate, Moringa Leaf (Moringa oleifera) Extract, and Sambiloto Leaf (Andrographis paniculata) Extract on Blood Glucose Levels, Interleukin-6 Levels, and Trabecular Density in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Hyperglycemic Rodents. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 20(2), 83-90.
Umegaki, H. (2024). Management of older adults with diabetes mellitus: Perspective from geriatric medicine. Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 15(10), 1347-1354.
Yun, J. S., Kim, K., Ahn, Y. B., Han, K., & Ko, S. H. (2024). Holistic and personalized strategies for managing in elderly type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 48(4), 531-545.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fika Indah Prasetya, Eka Haryanti, Sukirman Lie, Afianti Sulastri, Sri Sumartini, Novia Dwi Astuti, Ade Jubaedah, Surti Anggraeni, Priyo Sasmito
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
