Morinda citrus-leafed, or Noni (lat. Morinda citrifolia) is a small tree of the Marena family (Rubiaceae), originating from South Asia and extensively distributed by humans throughout the South Pacific region.
Morinda citrus-leaf grows in shady forests and on open rocky or sandy shores. It is very unpretentious and can grow on saline, volcanic and calcareous soils. The plant grows up to 7 m in height, the depth of the roots reaches 21 meters, blooms and bears fruit all year round.
The bark is grayish or tan, cracked, bare.
Its leaves are dark green, shiny, deeply streaked with veins. Leaf Length: 20-45 cm; width: 7-25 cm. Petiole length: 0.5-2.5 cm.
The flowers are small, white; 1.5 cm long.
The fruits are oval, in appearance resemble potatoes, 4-7 cm long, contain quite a lot of small seeds. Unripe fruits of green color, when ripe, they become white or light yellow, while the skin becomes almost transparent.
The fruit is edible, but has an unpleasant bitter taste and a pungent smell, similar to the smell of spoiled moldy cheese. However, these fruits are the main staple food in some Pacific islands (Fiji, Samoa, Rarotonga).
For medicinal purposes, the leaves, fruits, bark and flowers of the citrus leaf morinda are used. Sometimes even the juice of the plant is used. Leaves and flowers are harvested in the middle of the flowering period, bark – either before flowering, or after fruiting, fruits – as they ripen. The shelf life of dried raw materials is 2-3 years.
Chemical composition
It contains amino acids serotonin, antibacterial substances, damnakantal, scoproletin, proxeronin, terpenes, minerals, vitamins, anthrachine compounds (including essential ones), alkaloids, enzymes, xerosine, selenium, antioxidants.
100 g of noni fruit contains 95.67 g of water, 15.3 calories, 0.43 g of protein, 0.1 g of fat, 0.54 g of ash, 3.4 g of carbohydrates, 0.2 g of dietary fiber, 1.49 g of sugar, 0.1 g of sucrose, 0.32 g of fructose, 0.1 g of lactose, 0.1 g of maltose and 1.17 g of dextrose. The fruit is provided with 37.39% vitamin C, 2.62% carbohydrates and 1.01% calcium.
Various parts of the plant have been widely used in traditional medicine for over 2000 years. Residents of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands use leaves, flowers, bark and fruits in the treatment of eye diseases, for the healing of wounds and abscesses, for the treatment of diseases of the throat, gums and respiratory organs, as well as a laxative.
In Malaysia, warmed leaves are used to treat cough, nausea and colic, and arthritis is treated with leaf juice. In Hawaii, the juice of overripe fruits is used to regulate the menstrual cycle and treat diseases of the genitourinary system. The plant is also used to treat diabetes and sexually transmitted diseases.
Modern science has also paid tribute to this unique plant. Scientists have found that noni juice has, in addition to several others, such medicinal properties as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antihypertensive and anti-cancer.
Morinda is an adaptogen and immunomodulator. It restores the metabolic and energy balance of the whole body, helps to ease pain, overcome depression and improve blood circulation. It is appropriate to dwell on two unique substances isolated from morinda. This is, first of all, proxeronin and damnakantal. Japanese scientists drew attention to the substance damnakantal, which is able to initiate a normal structure in precancerous cells and delay the reproduction of cancerous cells. Proxeronin is converted to xeronine alkaloid, which provides cells with vital substances and at the same time removes all toxins from cells.
Noni has been proven to strengthen the immune system, regulate cell function, and restore damaged cells. Therefore, it is effective in a wide variety of disorders, and is also indispensable as a general restorative for healthy people. Scientists recognize that the unique complex of substances that make up noni helps a normal cell work better, including stimulating its division, i.e. enhances tissue regeneration, and a damaged cell helps to eliminate its defects.
Morinda citrus-leaf has a calming, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, laxative, analgesic, anti-tuberculosis, analgesic, stimulating, hypnotic and immunomodulatory effects. The plant is used for bacterial and viral infections, endocrine system disorders, immunodeficiency, hypertension, cancer, postpartum pain, diseases of the visual system, difficult to heal wounds, abscesses, cough, nausea, colic, arthritis, lumbago, asthma, dysentery, cuts, fractures, disorders menstrual cycle, lice, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, stomach ulcers, sprain, depression, drug addiction, hormonal disorders, diseases of the oral cavity and larynx, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, endocrine and genitourinary systems. Sometimes used for problem skin as a cosmetic. When used regularly, Morinda citrus-leaf prevents the aging of the body.
Included in Noni Ultra.