Noni is a small green tree in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India that often grows among lava flows. Historically, mengkudu is used to make red or yellow dyes for clothing. It is also used as a medicine, usually applied to the skin. Known in various regions with various names such as (Basa Aceh: keumeudee, Java: pace, kemudu, kudu); cangkudu (Sundanese), kodhuk (Madura), tibah (Bali) originating from Southeast Asia, belong to the Rubiaceae family. Other names for this plant are Noni (Hawaiian language), Nono (Tahitian language), Nonu (Tonga), ungcoikan (Myanmar language) and Ach (Hindi). While the scientific name is Morinda citrifolia.
Currently, noni fruit, leaves, flowers, stems, bark, and roots are still used to make medicine for a series of diseases. However, the effectiveness of mengkudu has not been proven. A study of extracts of dried fruit mengkudu frozen is underway at The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but the results have not been released yet. Meanwhile, the FDA has issued several warnings to Noni producers about health claims that are not backed by facts.
Noni fruit juice is used for arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle aches and pains, menstrual difficulties, headache, heart disease, AIDS, cancer, gastric ulcers, sprains, depression, senile, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, circulatory problems, and drug addiction.
While the Leaf has been used as a remedy for rheumatic pain and swelling of the joints, abdominal pain, dysentery, and swelling caused by a parasitic infection called filariasis. Skin has been used in preparation to assist with labor.
Noni is sometimes also applied to the skin. It is used as a moisturizer and reduces signs of aging. The leaves are used for arthritis by rubbing it around the sore joint. For headache by applying to the forehead, and for burns, wounds, applied directly. Leaf and fruit blends are applied to treat ulcers (abscesses), and preparations from roots are used as ointment of smallpox.
How does Noni work as a medicine?
Noni contains many substances, including potassium. Some substances can help repair damaged cells in the body, activate the immune system, and other activities that are good for the body's defense against disease.
