There are approximately 80 species of plants belonging to thegenus Morinda. According H.B. Guppy, the British scientist who studied the Noni around 1900, approximately 60 percent of the 80 species of Morinda grows on the islands large and small, includingIndonesia, Malaysia and the islands located in the Indian Oceanand Pacific Ocean. Only about 20 species of Morinda who haveeconomic value, among others: Morinda bracteata, Morindaofficinalis, Morinda Fructus, Morinda tinctoria and Morindacitrifolia.
Morinda citrifolia is the most popular, so often referred to as the"Queen of the Morinda". This species has a distinctive name inevery country, including in Hawaii Noni, Nonu or Nono in Tahiti,Cheese Fruit in Australia, Mengkudu, Pace in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Sub-phylum: Dycotiledones,
Division: Lignosae,
Family: Rubiaceae,
Genus: Morinda,
Species: citrifolia.
Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia.
Noni plant including families Rubiaceae, which was originally derived from the mainland of Southeast Asia and thenspread to China, India, the Philippines, Hawaii, Tahiti, Africa,Australia, the Caribbean, Haiti, Fiji, Florida and Cuba.
Noni comes from Southeast Asia. In the year 100 BC, the population of Southeast Asia migrated and landed in thePolynesian islands, they just bring the plants and animals that are considered essential for life in a new place. These plants have many uses, among others, for clothing materials, construction, food and medicine, five kinds of crops Polynesian nation of taro,breadfruit, bananas, yams, and sugarcane. Noni is in the local language called "Noni" is one of the important medicinal plant species are also taken.
Polynesians use "Noni" to treat various types of diseases, such as: tumors, wounds, skin diseases, respiratory disorders(including asthma), fever and diseases of old age. Knowledge oftreatment using Noni passed down from generation to generationthrough songs and folklore. Polynesian healers, called Kahuna isthe role of traditional medicine in the world of hoops nation andPolynesian Noni always use the prescription medication.
Reports of the efficacy of Noni plant is also found in ancientwritings made about 2,000 years ago, during the reign of the HanDynasty in China. Even loaded in wayang stories written during the reign of the kings of the island of Java, hundreds of years ago.
Developments in the European textile industry encouraged the search of natural coloring materials to the areas of colonization,because in those days of synthetic dyes has not been found. In 1849, European researchers found natural dyes derived fromNoni roots, and then given the name "Morindone" and "Morindin".From these findings, the name "Morinda" lowered.
Below is a table of the historical development of Morindacitrifolia:
100 M Immigrants from Southeast Asia arrived in Kep.Polynesian Noni with seedlings.
1849 The Europeans discovered the dye from the roots of Noni,namely Morindon and Morindin.
1860 Use of Noni for treatment began to be written in Western literature.
1950 The discovery of antibacterial agents in the Noni fruit.
1960-1980 Scientific research done to prove that Noni can lowerhigh blood pressure.
1972 Dr. Ralph Heinicke (Biochemist) started doing research onxeronine and Noni.
1993 The discovery of anti-cancer substances (damnacanthal) in the Noni fruit.
The Europeans know the benefits of Noni around the year 1800,which begins with the landing of Captain Cook and his crew in the Hawaiian Islands (1778). Their arrival also brought new diseases, including gonorrhea, syphilis, tuberculosis, cholera,influenza, pneumonia quickly endemic to Hawaii and throughout the region resulted in the deaths of thousands of residents. Even the traditional treatment of local communities are not able to resist these diseases.
European researchers who come later do a search and resear chon the history and culture of the Polynesians, including the system of traditional medicine. And in 1860, using natural treatment Noni starts recorded in Western literature.