MENGKUDU

I posted a picture of Puan Kamariah plucking the leaves from the mengkudu plant to be used as ulam a few days ago. Today I am posting information about this plant.

Local name: Mengkudu
Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia
Other names:Noni, mengkudu besar, queen of morinda, morinda,nthau,Indian mulbery, Ba Ji tian, hog apple,wild pine,menkoedoe,Ruibardo Caribe
Family:Rubiaceae

Explanation:
Mengkudu is more popularly known as noni. It is a type of plant that is commonly found in the tropics. Generally, mengkudu, can be categorised as small mengkudu and big mengkudu. It can also be categorised as with seeds and without (this is not so commonly found). In western countries, mengkudu is known as queen of morinda, it is also sometimes called cheese fruit because the smell it emits is similar to cheese when the fruit ripens. The leaves can be eaten as vegetables or ulam. It is rich in vitamin A.

Medicinal uses:
In the Carribean, it is known as 'pain killer tree' . In Malaysia, it is used as an antidote for urinary problems, period pains and bleeding. The mengkudu leaves are used as a bath infusion for women who are in confinement. Research has shown that mengkudu has the nutrients to prevent diabetes, cancer ad hypertension. It is also said to provide relief for asthma, hay fever and rheumatism. Intake of mengkudu juice can also prevent diseases caused by hormonal deficiency like senility and is said to slow down aging.