Unlike exaggerated advertisements and claims about the benefits of NONI JUICE made from the noni fruit, traditional medicine primarily uses the roots of the noni tree (scientific name: Morinda Citrifolia L) as a sedative or for promoting blood circulation. In addition, the roots or fruit of the noni do not have anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, energy-boosting, or blood-nourishing effects.
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Noni tree (Image: ruhr-uni-bochum) |
For a long time, our people, as well as many other ethnic groups around the world such as in Cambodia, the Philippines, and India, have known how to use the noni tree for medicinal purposes. Based on actual recorded effects, scientists have also shown interest in researching the noni tree. In 1848, Anderson, a French scientist, isolated the substance Moridin from the noni roots with the general formula C28H30O15 and the substance Moridon with the formula C15H10O5. Subsequently, many other researchers such as Perkin Hummel (in 1894), Simonson (in 1920), and Briggs (in 1948) continued these studies.
In Vietnam, noni is one of 300 traditional remedies recommended by physician Nguyễn An Cư (1877-1949), a famous physician from the southern region before the August Revolution, to be used alongside Northern medicines to save costs for patients. Wild noni and noni roots are also among the 208 traditional remedies documented by physician Việt Cúc in “Nam dược tính yếu lược” (1965). Notably, since 1952, Dr. Đặng Văn Hồ, former director of the Ngô Quyền Tuberculosis Hospital, and his colleagues have researched for decades on the effects of noni roots on patients. This research was later summarized and published in 1973. Professor Đỗ Tất Lợi, a renowned researcher on “Medicinal Plants and Remedies of Vietnam,” also mentioned the noni tree and classified this remedy among those related to blood pressure. Currently, many domestic pharmaceutical companies have also produced tablets and liquid medicines extracted from noni. Thus, it can be said that the noni tree has long been researched and used in both traditional and modern medicine.
Description
The noni tree belongs to the coffee family, scientifically named Morinda Citrifolia L, and typically grows in tropical and temperate regions. In Vietnam, the noni tree grows abundantly in damp lowland areas along rivers, streams, ponds, or ditches throughout the southern provinces and some central provinces. The noni tree can reach a height of 6-8 meters, with opposite leaves that are oval-shaped, pointed at the ends, measuring 12-15 cm long and 6-8 cm wide. The noni fruit is round or oval and has small segments. When still unripe, the fruit is light green, smooth-skinned; when ripe, the skin turns black, with a sharp, pungent taste and odor. Due to its unpleasant smell and taste, traditional medicine typically uses only the roots or thinly sliced stems of the noni for medicinal purposes. The peeled noni root has a dark yellow color resembling turmeric, while the noni stem is a lighter yellow.
Pharmacological Effects
In many places, people have a tradition of using thinly sliced, dried noni roots to brew tea for treating back pain and rheumatism. Many also consume ripe noni fruit with salt for similar purposes. In some regions, women eat ripe noni fruit to aid digestion, promote blood circulation, or regulate menstruation.
When analyzing the pharmacological properties of noni roots, Professor Caujolle – Director of the French National Center for Toxicology Research, Professor Youngken from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and Professor Ikeda from the National Hygiene Research Center in Japan conducted experiments on animals and found that the extract from noni roots (Extrait des racines de Morinda Citrifolia) has mild laxative and diuretic effects, soothes the nervous system, lowers blood pressure over time, has low toxicity, and does not cause addiction.
The book “Gia y trị nghiệm” by physician Việt Cúc notes that “noni root is bitter, warm, stimulates blood circulation, alleviates joint pain, and lowers blood pressure.”
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Noni Fruit (Image: SK&ĐS) |
In practice, based on the author’s personal experience or when used alone or in combination with other remedies, noni roots have two notable effects: calming the mind and promoting blood circulation.
Individuals who often experience psychological stress, irritability, or insomnia may find relief and relaxation when using noni roots. Conversely, some patients who typically feel anxious, depressed, or complain may feel more refreshed and optimistic after consuming noni root tea. The self-regulating effect between excitement and inhibition, between sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves has also been noted by Dr. Đặng Văn Hồ’s research team: “Based on direct observations of patients, we have found that this medicine (noni root tea) creates a very special sense of comfort, joy, optimism, clarity in reasoning, and improvement in the patients’ temperament.”
The neuro-regulatory property is also evident in the blood pressure regulation effect, where the medicine lowers blood pressure in hypertensive individuals or raises blood pressure in those with low blood pressure. “In some cases where health is severely compromised due to consistently low blood pressure, we have prescribed noni root medicine alone, which has increased their blood pressure by 2 or 3 units.”
In addition to stabilizing blood pressure through neural mechanisms, the effect of promoting blood circulation greatly contributes to improving blood flow, making noni roots a commonly used traditional remedy, often combined with other herbs to treat hypertension due to various causes.
Modern medicine clearly understands that when a person’s nervous system is under stress, muscle tension increases, internal organ function becomes disordered, blood pressure rises, and white blood cell counts decrease. In such conditions, any measures or substances that stabilize the nervous system – including noni roots or fruit – can help improve the situation. However, for diseases with organic damage or infections, specific remedies or treatments are necessary, which noni roots cannot replace. Additionally, noni roots cannot substitute for herbs that have energy-boosting or nourishing properties in traditional medicine.
Here are some traditional remedies that use noni roots:
*Treating chronic headaches and migraines:
– Noni roots 24g, senna 12g, corydalis 12g, gotu kola 12g, ginseng (processed with urine) 08g. Add 500ml of water; boil until reduced to 250ml. Divide into two doses to be taken during the day, while still warm.
*Treating insomnia, nervous exhaustion, and high blood pressure:
– Noni roots 24g, cassia seeds (roasted) 12g, gotu kola 08g, raw yam 08g, grapefruit peel 06g, fresh ginger (3 slices). Add 500ml of water; boil until reduced to 250ml. Divide into two doses to be taken during the day, while still warm.
*Treating back pain due to kidney deficiency or rheumatism:
– Noni roots 12g, pennywort 08g, corydalis 08g, deer horn 08g, mangrove shoots 08g, cassava 08g, mulberry mistletoe 08g, elephant grass roots 08g, burdock 12g. Add 500ml of water; boil until reduced to 250ml. Divide into two doses to be taken during the day, while still warm.
*Treating aches, pains, and numbness due to rheumatism:
– Noni roots 40g, green turmeric 20g, yellow turmeric 20g, noni fruit 10g, angelica 20g, tangerine peel 20g, cinnamon twig 20g, eucommia bark 30g, elephant trunk 40g, mulberry mistletoe 20g, glutinous rice wine 2 liters, white sugar 500g.
Soak all ingredients in 2 liters of glutinous rice wine for 7 days. Strain thoroughly, discarding the solids. Mix the filtered wine with 1 liter of sugar water. Take a small glass (30-40ml) each time. Consume twice a day. (This remedy contains some warming herbs like cinnamon twig, tangerine peel, and angelica, so those with a hot constitution, prone to constipation, high blood pressure, or current infections should not use it).
Author: Physician VÕ HÀ (Health & Life)
