Daun Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia Leaves)

Botanical Information

Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni in English, mengkudu in Malay, and ba ji tian (巴戟天, though usually referring to the root) in some Chinese contexts, is a tropical evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia and Polynesia. The tree reaches up to 10 m in height, with large, glossy, dark green leaves (15–45 cm long) that are elliptic in shape. While the fruit has gained international attention for its juice, the leaves are traditionally used for both medicinal and dietary purposes.

Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM) Perspective

In Malay traditional practice, daun mengkudu is widely applied for:

• Fever reduction: fresh leaves are warmed and applied as a poultice on the body.

• Hypertension & blood circulation: decoction or infusion of leaves.

• Joint pain & swelling: leaf poultices for arthritis or sprains.

• Postpartum care: to restore strength and improve blood flow.

• General tonic: leaves eaten raw or steamed, sometimes with rice.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective

Although noni (Morinda citrifolia) is not a classical herb in the TCM pharmacopeia, parallels can be drawn:

• Nature & Flavor: Bitter, slightly pungent, neutral to cooling.

• Meridian Affiliation: Liver, Kidney, Spleen.

• Functions (interpreted in TCM terms):

• Clears heat and toxins (fever, skin infections).

• Invigorates blood and relieves pain (arthritis, joint swelling).

• Strengthens Kidney Qi and Yang (paralleling its tonic role in Malay medicine).

Phytochemistry

Daun mengkudu contains diverse phytochemicals contributing to its medicinal potential:

• Iridoids (e.g., asperulosidic acid, deacetylasperulosidic acid) – anti-inflammatory, analgesic.

• Flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol, rutin) – antioxidant, anti-hypertensive.

• Scopoletin – vasodilatory, mood-regulating, antihypertensive.

• Polysaccharides – immune modulation.

• Anthraquinones – mild laxative, antimicrobial activity.

Nutritional Content

Noni leaves are edible and nutrient-rich, providing:

• Protein & dietary fiber (higher than many leafy vegetables).

• Vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E.

• Minerals: Calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron.

• Chlorophyll & carotenoids – antioxidant and detoxifying effects.

Clinical Potential

Modern studies suggest that noni leaves may offer the following therapeutic benefits:

1. Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic: Leaf extracts reduce inflammation in arthritis and soft tissue injuries (Deng et al., 2011).

2. Cardiovascular Support: Flavonoids and scopoletin help regulate blood pressure and improve circulation (Wang et al., 2012).

3. Antimicrobial & Antiviral: Extracts demonstrate inhibition of bacterial and viral growth (West et al., 2011).

4. Antidiabetic: Animal studies show improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity (Hirazumi & Furusawa, 1999).

5. Wound Healing: Leaf poultices aid recovery of skin lesions (McClatchey, 2002).

6. Immune Support: Polysaccharides enhance immune function (Palu et al., 2008).

Safety & Precautions

• Generally safe in dietary use.

• Excessive use may cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to anthraquinones.

• Should be used cautiously in patients with kidney or liver conditions due to reported hepatotoxicity from high-dose noni fruit juice (though rare).

• Pregnant women should seek professional advice before medicinal use.

Conclusion

Daun mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia) represents a bridge between Malay traditional medicine and modern phytotherapy, with applications ranging from fever and hypertension management to immune support and pain relief. Its bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids and iridoids, validate many of its folk uses. With more research, daun mengkudu could gain greater recognition in integrative medicine systems.

References-Compile by Chat GPT 

• Deng, S., West, B. J., & Jensen, C. J. (2011). Noni leaves: A literature review and pharmacological evaluation. Phytotherapy Research, 25(9), 1231–1237. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3418

• Hirazumi, A., & Furusawa, E. (1999). An immunomodulatory polysaccharide-rich substance from the fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia (noni) with antitumor activity. Phytotherapy Research, 13(5), 380–387.

• McClatchey, W. (2002). From Polynesian healers to health food stores: Changing perspectives of Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae). Integrative Cancer Therapies, 1(2), 110–120.

• Palu, A. K., West, B. J., Jensen, C. J., & Deng, S. (2008). Noni juice and its immunomodulatory properties. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118(1), 1–5.

• Wang, M. Y., Su, C., & Peng, L. (2012). Noni juice (Morinda citrifolia L.): A literature review. Food Science and Nutrition, 52(12), 1191–1205.

• West, B. J., Jensen, C. J., Palu, A. K., & Deng, S. (2011). Morinda citrifolia (Noni): A literature review and recent advances in Noni research. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 32(1), 7–13.