Dr. Heinicke explains in this article the ‘discovery’ of the precursor of the a very important alkaloid, called pro-xeronine.
Great discoveries usually happens when the investigator is looking for something else. In this case, Dr. Heinicke was studding bromelaine, an enzyme found in ‘bio’ pineapples, that showed wonderful healing properties in case of inflammation, specially of the mucous membranes located at the stomach, vagina, bronchial tube… When bromelaine was purified into a protease, the ‘magical’ effect disappeared and after a thoughtful investigation Dr. Heinicke discovered that an alkaloid, called ‘pro-xeronine‘, was lost during the process of purification. Pro-xeronine – inactive – is converted in xeronine – activated – in the large intestine, helping amino-acids and other substances to be correctly assimilated (for example, tryptophan), helping the correct function of enzymes and much more. So xeronine is very important to keep the homestasis (regenerative balance) in our body. Industrial ‘farmed’ pineapples doesn’t contain enough pro-xeronine because the overused agriculture grounds are poor in selenium and chromium, necessary for the presence of the alkaloid. Noni, by the other hand, only grows in grounds presenting this composition; that’s why noni is a safer source of pro-xeronine. According to the mentioned article – based on other research and traditional fonts – noni is helpful to help in some cases of: atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, inflammation, infections, wounds, indigestion, gastric ulcers, constipation, skin problems, menstrual cramps, relief of pain, flu, colds, mental depression, and senility.
According to Chinese medicine, the root of morinda, called Ba/Bai Ji Tian, is used as a tonic of kidney Yang, correcting excessive urination, treating lumbar pain, increasing the immune system, improving the absorption of serotonin (helping in depression)… but all this symptoms should be caused by Yang deficiency. Also the leaves are heated over the fire and applied hot topically to painful joints when ‘wind and humidity’ block the local meridians and causes pain (usually in the elder).
In Harmonia we use juice of organic noni but I’ve seen also people eating the fruit (hard because is quit smelly). Also in shampoo (using a vinegar of noni) or therapeutic baths.