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area and also massaged from the surrounding area towards the wound. The whole process from preparation to pain relief is com- pleted in around an hour. area and also massaged from the surrounding area towards the RESEARCH INTO NONI'S BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES wound. The whole process from preparation to pain relief is com- One of the most common marketing claims found on the pleted in around an hour. Internet regarding noni is that the reason it is so effective is because it contains a substance known as xeronine. Roots Dr Ralph Heinicke identified this enzyme when he was study- Noni roots are also used in the treatment of stonefish spine poi- ing pineapples and searching for an unknown ingredient found in soning. Clean 'ura root scrapings are wrapped in an ununu(atype — bromelain. He named the new alkaloid xeronine. He named the of cloth made from coconut fibre) and sap from the leaf of a maji- _ precursor to xeronine proxeronine, and noted that although "noni la plant dabbed on the affected area after it has again been fruits have a negligible amount of free xeronine, they contain enlarged with a knife. The noni juice solution is then dropped —_— appreciable amounts of the precursor of xeronine". Heinicke into the wound. Pain is said to dissipate within five minutes of advises that noni should be taken on an empty stomach because application and the inflamed area returns to normal within a few otherwise the pro-enzyme may not become properly activated, hours. Any leftovers from the mixture used in the procedure are therefore not reaching the intestine. He notes that "years of to be disposed of in the sea. research" are needed to "demonstrate convincingly how xeronine Badly infected cuts are also treated with ‘ura root prepared in functions at the molecular level in a cell". (Heinicke, 2002) the same way for a bone puncture and dripped directly onto the Dr Neil Solomon explains Heinicke's work by stating that noni wound. Bubbling occurs, believed to be a sign of the infection _acts as an adaptogen, enabling sick or weakened cells to return to being drawn from the area. normal. He gives an example of how this may happen in the case of either an Fruit overactive or underactive thyroid, Immature or green fruit juice is used Heinicke advises that noni explaining that "an adaptogen, such as externally in combination with other noni, could help increase the body's remedies or alone for treatment and should be taken on an empty production of the thyroid hormone and pain relief of sores around the mouth. H bring the body back to homeostasis, or For sores inside the mouth, a concoc- stomach because otherwise normal balance". (Solomon, 2002) wrapped ia/an noun and beseua (MlMedeed Buena port on xezonine, published inthe wrappe a a anana . report on xeronine, published in the leaves and then heated. The juice is become properly activated, Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden s d out and consumed. Lz H in, i at it is jacezajoutandovemed Les! | therefore not reaching Puli. commenting tat 1 = children to induce vomiting where it is the intestine. this seemingly biochemical report is deemed necessary in conditions such published in the bulletin of a botanical as throat infections, for release of garden, because it may have been mucus, etc. Crushed, ripe fruits are better published in the ‘Journal of applied in the treatment of cracked and Irreproducible Results'. No chemical peeling feet. (McClatchey, p. 115) structure is given for the ‘alkaloid’ xeronine, although many Rotumans also use pounded noni fruit mixed with water asa _ results are discussed without a clear indication of the scientific cough syrup for children, and boils are treated by leaves soaked in _ research from which they are derived." In addition, McClatchey oil (United Nations University). notes that he has "not located any subsequent publications Hawaiian traditional uses of noni fruit have included topical reporting a structure for xeronine or proxeronine, although much application to treat skin conditions, sometimes with added salt or chemical work has been conducted". He believes that if this is the heating; the fruit was added to other remedies and consumed to case, "Heinicke's report should be in question. If, on the other cleanse the body, purify the blood and treat tuberculosis. Diluted hand, xeronine is described, then this may lend support to his juice is also reported to have been used to treat diabetes, heart other findings and open the door for production of specific trouble and high blood pressure. Women's breasts were covered commercial products". An editor's note accompanies with heated noni leaves and a prayer said to induce lactation. McClatchey's work, stating that xeronine and proxeronine were (McClatchey, p. 116) Bark extracts were used in the treatment of not found during extensive searches of various scientific ringworm (McClatchey, p 112). A red pigment contained in the databases. (McClatchey, 2002, pp. 116, 117, 120) bark and a yellow pigment from the roots has been traditionally Australian Noni juice supplier, Tree of Health, commissioned used for dying cloth. Hair was washed with extracted noni oil for —_ the Centre for Phytochemistry at Southern Cross University, New insecticidal purposes, and noni fruit used as "famine food". South Wales, to "investigate noni juice and noni fruit powder to (CTAHR) determine a baseline fingerprint of the compounds contained in Australian Aborigines traditionally used Morinda citrifolia as noni". The results showed the presence of a substance known as an antiseptic and wound dressing and to treat colds and diarrhoea; —_scopoletin, which acts as an antioxidant, lowers cholesterol and a yellow dye was extracted from the roots (Lindsay). exhibits vasodilating properties. Because scopoletin can dilate constricted blood vessels, "high blood pressure can be normalised NONI AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE and less wear and tear on the cardiovascular system results". Wang et al. note that "[d]ue to the limited scientific data, the Glycosidic compounds were found, and one known as asperulo- Yin/Yang theory may be the best way to explain the beneficial side is traditionally used to reduce water retention, inflammation, effects of the Noni plant through the regulation of balance varicose veins and phlebitis. between Yin and Yang". Polysaccharides such as glucuronic acid, galactose, arabinose A balance of yin and yang is necessary for a healthy body. In _ rhamose, glycosides and trisaccharide fatty acid ester have been traditional Chinese medicine terms, noni "...is able to tonify Qi, shown to have immunostimulatory, immunomodulatory, antibac- clear heat and toxins, and invigorate the blood. The properties of terial, antitumour and anticancer effects (Russell, 2003). this plant are sweet, stinky, and neutral. Noni enters the lung, The founder of Tree of Health, Helen Russell, notes: "Future spleen, liver, and kidney meridians". This means that Morinda _ research aims to identify components that have the capacity to be citrifolia can be used to treat many health conditions (Wang et al., _ health promoting as well as focussing on the anticancer properties 2002, pp. 1137-1138). of the glycosides found in the noni. Our aim is to be at the Roots Noni roots are also used in the treatment of stonefish spine poi- soning. Clean 'ura root scrapings are wrapped in an ununu (a type of cloth made from coconut fibre) and sap from the leaf of a maji- la plant dabbed on the affected area after it has again been enlarged with a knife. The noni juice solution is then dropped into the wound. Pain is said to dissipate within five minutes of application and the inflamed area returns to normal within a few hours. Any leftovers from the mixture used in the procedure are to be disposed of in the sea. Badly infected cuts are also treated with ‘ura root prepared in the same way for a bone puncture and dripped directly onto the wound. Bubbling occurs, believed to be a sign of the infection being drawn from the area. > should be taken on an empty stomach because otherwise the pro-enzyme may not become properly activated, therefore not reaching the intestine. NONI AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Wang et al. note that "[d]ue to the limited scientific data, the Yin/Yang theory may be the best way to explain the beneficial effects of the Noni plant through the regulation of balance between Yin and Yang". A balance of yin and yang is necessary for a healthy body. In traditional Chinese medicine terms, noni "...is able to tonify Qi, clear heat and toxins, and invigorate the blood. The properties of this plant are sweet, stinky, and neutral. Noni enters the lung, spleen, liver, and kidney meridians". This means that Morinda citrifolia can be used to treat many health conditions (Wang et al., 2002, pp. 1137-1138). 20 = NEXUS Heinicke advises that noni www.nexusmagazi ne.com OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2003