Why Drumsticks Deserve a Spot on Your Plate: 8 Health Benefits and Uses

You’ve seen them in sambhar. You’ve picked around them in biryani. But have you ever thought about what drumsticks actually do for your health?

Also known as moringa, this humble vegetable is far more than a flavour booster—it’s packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and medicinal properties. In fact, almost every part of the drumstick tree—leaves, seeds, pods, bark—has been used in Ayurveda and traditional medicine for centuries.

Whether you’re looking to manage diabetes, boost your immunity, or simply add more plant-based power to your plate, drumsticks can be a smart (and delicious) addition to your diet.In this blog, we explore the health benefits of drumsticks, their traditional and modern uses, possible side effects, and how to use them effectively in your meals or supplements.

What are Drumsticks?

A native of the Indian subcontinent, the scientific name for drumsticks is Moringa Oleifera. It is also known as the drumstick tree, the ben oil tree, the moringa tree, and the horseradish tree. Numerous vernacular names, such as shevga in Marathi, shajan in Hindi, murungai in Tamil, muringanga in Malayalam, and munagakaya in Telugu, are also known as drumsticks.

Nearly all parts of the drumstick tree can be consumed by humans. Traditional herbal medicine often utilises them, particularly the pods and leaves. Drumstick is a fast-growing tree that is extensively cultivated for its soft seed pods, leaves used as a vegetable and rich in essential nutrients, and as a medicinal plant in Siddha for its indispensable therapeutic properties. The moringa tree is a plant that thrives in bright sunlight, can survive in arid environments and requires very little water to cultivate successfully.

If you’re a vegetarian who wants to put on muscle, drumsticks are a great addition to your diet. Antioxidants can also be found in drumsticks. As a result, they can be included in a wide range of nutritious meal plans. Moreover, tasty dishes can be prepared with easily accessible ingredients. All around the country, people are using them. Ayurvedic medicine suggests that drumsticks, due to their high nutritional value, water-retention capacity, and purifying properties, may be beneficial in the treatment of a wide range of ailments.

Nutritional Value of Drumstick per 100gms

Drumstick pods are a nutrient-dense powerhouse. The drumstick has been utilised to fight malnutrition, particularly in infants and nursing mothers.

Drumsticks contain numerous uncommon forms of essential minerals and nutrients. Drumstick pods, leaves, flowers, barks, roots, and seeds also contain bioactive chemicals.

Health Benefits and Medicinal Properties of Drumsticks (Moringa)

Drumsticks are rich in essential nutrients and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Scientific studies have validated several of their therapeutic properties, particularly from the leaves, pods, and seeds. Below are the benefits of drumsticks:

1. Supports Blood Sugar Control 

Drumsticks are high in fibre, vitamin C, and bioactive plant compounds like quercetin and chlorogenic acid, which may help reduce blood sugar levels.
Animal studies show that aqueous extracts of moringa leaves and pods helped lower blood glucose in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic models.
Human trials are limited, so moringa should not be used as a replacement for prescribed diabetes medications.

2. Protects Brain Health (Neuroprotective & Antidepressant)

Moringa leaf extracts have been found to modulate neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in animal studies, suggesting potential benefits for mood regulation and cognitive support. While more clinical research is needed, early evidence points to its neuroprotective and antidepressant-like properties.

3. Improves Heart Health

Moringa contains beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol known to reduce cholesterol absorption. In animal models, moringa extracts lowered serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Additionally, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects may help protect against heart disease.

4. Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties

Studies have shown that moringa leaf and seed extracts are effective against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Vibrio cholerae. These antimicrobial properties support its traditional use for minor infections and wound care.

5. Boosts Immunity

Drumsticks are rich in vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants, which help strengthen immune defences.

6. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects

Compounds like quercetin and isothiocyanates in moringa help reduce inflammation in the body. This may benefit people with arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory gut issues. Its strong antioxidant profile also helps combat oxidative stress, a contributor to ageing and chronic disease.

7. Gastrointestinal Support (Anti-ulcer,)

Moringa extracts have demonstrated protective effects on the stomach lining in animal models of gastric ulcers.

8. Wound Healing & Skin Protection

Moringa seed oil and leaf extracts are used topically in traditional medicine for minor wounds and skin care. Preliminary studies show accelerated tissue repair and antibacterial protection.

Best Ways to Use Drumsticks

1) Used as a water purifier

The seed of the drumstick plant is a natural coagulant that contains a cationic protein that can make cloudy water clearer. The extract of drumstick seeds can purge water of heavy metals such as lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic.

2) Ben oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil

Drumsticks seed oil (yielding 30–40% by weight), also known as Ben oil, is a sweet oil that doesn’t stick, dry out, or spoil. It has been used in salads, to lubricate small machinery, to produce perfume, and to create hair care products. The oil can be used in place of olive oil when cooking.

3) Used in cosmetics

Some parts of the protein in drumstick seeds are suitable for your skin and hair. Oil cake has been used to get two new active ingredients for use in cosmetics. It protects the skin from the outside world and slows down the ageing process. The drumstick seed extract is an innovative way to care for hair that is accepted worldwide. It helps fight pollution and conditions and strengthens hair. (Stussi et al., 2002)

4) Fortification of maize flour

Aluko et al. tested how cookies made with a mixture of maise flour and moringa seed flour tasted. Different amounts of each flour were mixed, and the optimal combination was 92.5% maise flour and 7.5% moringa seed flour. People liked how crisp, fragrant, tasty, and colourful this was. In a study, drumstick leaves have also been added to cereal gruels to increase the protein and energy content. The cereal gruel, composed of 65% popcorn and 35% moringa leaves, was blanched and then allowed to ferment. The fermented ones had more protein and energy, but the blanched cereal had more minerals.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Drumsticks into Your Diet

There are numerous creative ways to incorporate drumsticks into your diet. Here are some of the ways:

• Soups, curries, or salads: Drumsticks are a versatile ingredient that enhances the nutritional value of any dish when added to soups, curries, and even salads.
• Biryani: Try adding drumsticks to biryani for a filling lunch; their delicate flavour goes well with the spices and rice.
• Sambhar: A widely used technique involves incorporating drumsticks into sambhar, a traditional lentil stew from South India, to enhance its taste and nutritional composition.
• Dal: They can also be added to dal preparations for a new twist on a traditional meal.
• Stir-fries: Another fantastic alternative is to make stir-fries, which involve sautéing drumsticks with your preferred vegetables and seasonings for a quick and nutritious side dish.

Add some diversity to your diet and reap the health benefits of drumsticks, which are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Drumstick recipe you can include in your everyday diet:

Drumsticks Curry:

• Drumsticks: 15g
• Oil: 3ml
• Grated coconut: 2 tbsp
• Onion (chopped): 1 medium
• Garlic cloves: 5-6
• Ginger (grated): 1 tsp
• Tomato (pulped): 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds: ½tsp
• Turmeric powder: ¼tsp
• Red chillies (dry): 2 tsp
• Coriander leaves: 1 tsp finely chopped
• Curry powder: ¼ tsp
• Salt to taste

1. Add water, drumstick pieces, salt, and turmeric powder to a vessel and place it in the pressure cooker. Cook till two whistles.
2. Heat the oil in a pan. Now, fry chopped onions until they turn brown and then roast the dry coconut in the same pan. And grind both into a fine paste after it has cooled.
3. Make ginger and garlic paste.
4. Now, in a deep pan, add oil and ginger garlic paste. Just after the raw smell of the ginger garlic paste has gone, add the onion and coconut paste, and fry until it releases oil on the sides.
5. Now add the tomato pulp. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until it is well-cooked.
6. Now, add turmeric powder, red chilli powder and curry powder. Then add prepared drumsticks.
7. Lastly, add hot water to make the curry consistent and salt to taste. Cook for 5 minutes. Keep on medium flame.
8. Garnish with coriander leaves.
9. Serve hot and fresh alongside Bhakari or Jowari roti.

Interactions With Other Drugs

Although very nutrient-dense, drumsticks may interact with certain medications, so it’s essential to consider the potential risks and consult an expert for guidance. Here are specific possible interactions and safety measures:

Interaction with Diabetic Medications:

• Possible Interaction: Studies have demonstrated a reduction in blood glucose levels in drumstick leaves. This impact may intensify if used with diabetic drugs, which may result in hypoglycemia (a dangerously low blood sugar level).
• Precaution: If you are taking diabetic medication and consuming drumstick leaves, it is recommended that you regularly monitor your blood glucose levels. Before mixing these, speak with your doctor so that you can, if needed, modify the dosage of your medications.

Interaction with Blood Pressure-Lowering Medications:

• Possible Interaction: Drumstick leaves can also lower blood pressure. This can result in hypotension, or unusually low blood pressure, when taken with blood pressure drugs. In extreme circumstances, this can cause dizziness, fainting, or even shock.
• Take caution: Unless your physician instructs you otherwise, do not take drumstick leaves with blood pressure drugs. To ensure blood pressure remains within a safe range, regular monitoring is recommended.

Before incorporating drumstick leaves into your diet, consult a doctor, especially if you are taking any other medications. They will be knowledgeable about your health and able to offer advice that is specific to you based on your medical background and ongoing therapies.

Make sure you adhere to the directions provided by your doctor regarding the use of drumsticks and the taking of prescribed drugs. To avoid unfavorable outcomes, any modifications or revisions should be professionally overseen.

Side Effects and Precautions

Although consuming the leaves, pods, flowers, and seeds of the drumstick is safe, consuming excessive amounts of the pods and seeds may lead to several side effects. Moringa roots or root extracts should not be taken orally since they contain spirochin, a chemical that is known to be poisonous. Here is a list of side effects that may be caused by the excessive consumption of drumsticks and other parts of the tree:

• Large amounts may reduce blood pressure and slow the heart rate due to the presence of alkaloids.
• Excess consumption of drumsticks may interfere with blood sugar levels; hence, watch for any symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
• Avoid drumstick supplements with hypertensive drugs, as it may lower blood pressure.
• Exposure to inhaled irritants is the primary factor in the development of occupational asthma.
• It is also not advisable to take drumsticks with thyroid medication.

High doses of moringa root or bark may have uterine stimulant effects in animal studies. Pods and leaves are generally safe during pregnancy in moderate amounts.

Conclusion

Drumsticks are a powerful source of plant-based nutrients and antioxidants. But like all herbal remedies, they should be used mindfully.

The goodness of drumstick leaves can be consumed orally to improve our overall health in the form of capsules or Moringa tea. These products are available on Truemeds at discounted prices and can be delivered to your doorstep anywhere in India. Additionally, you can enjoy free teleconsultation with our expert doctors when you consume these products.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

• Zarina, N., Wani, A. W., Rawat, M., Kaur, H., Das, S., Kaur, T., Akram, N., Faisal, Z., Jan, S. S., Oyshe, N. N., Khan, M. R., & Shah, Y. A. (2024). Medicinal utilization and nutritional properties of drumstick (Moringa oleifera)—A comprehensive review. Food Science & Nutrition, 12(7), 4546–4568. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4139
• Kashyap, P., Kumar, S., Riar, C. S., Jindal, N., Baniwal, P., Guiné, R. P. F., Correia, P. M. R., Mehra, R., & Kumar, H. (2022). Recent Advances in Drumstick (Moringa oleifera) Leaves Bioactive Compounds: Composition, Health Benefits, Bioaccessibility, and Dietary Applications. Antioxidants, 11(2), 402. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11020402
• Zarina, N., Wani, A. W., Rawat, M., Kaur, H., Das, S., Kaur, T., Akram, N., Faisal, Z., Jan, S. S., Oyshe, N. N., Khan, M. R., & Shah, Y. A. (2024b). Medicinal utilization and nutritional properties of drumstick (Moringa oleifera)—A comprehensive review. Food Science & Nutrition, 12(7), 4546–4568. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4139
• Klimek-Szczykutowicz, M., Gaweł-Bęben, K., Rutka, A., Blicharska, E., Tatarczak-Michalewska, M., Kulik-Siarek, K., Kukula-Koch, W., Malinowska, M. A., & Szopa, A. (2024). Moringa oleifera (drumstick tree)—nutraceutical, cosmetological and medicinal importance: a review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1288382