(also referred to as...)
Nonu, Nono, Indian Mulberry, Noni Juice
Latin Name: Morinda citrifolia
Description
The Noni tree is native to Tahiti and Hawaii and is used as a general healing aid. The fruit is revered for its health benefits and has been used by Polynesians for over 2,000 years. Indigenous healers from Malaysia, the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and Hawaii all employ Noni in a variety of preparations to treat many ailments.
Often found along lava flows, this small evergreen tree also grows in open coastal regions and in forested regions up to 425 metres above sea level. The colourful fruit changes from green to yellow to white when it has ripened and falls from the tree. The mature fruit looks like a grenade and resembles a potato in size. The surface is covered by warty, irregular-shaped pitted cells, and has a fetid odour.
Noni fruit is often harvested before fully ripe. It is left in direct sunlight or gallon jar until ripened and then mashed into a purée. The juice is extracted through a cloth and prepared as a tonic. It is most commonly mixed with grape, blueberry, and other fruit juices to reduce the unpleasant taste.
Noni contains an abundance of enzymes, including proxeronine and proxeronase. These substances combine in the intestine to produce xeronine, an alkaloid substance that facilitates cell growth and reproduction.
Noni is rich in constituents including most amino acids, several minerals, and a variety of enzymes and hormone precursors.
Noni contains a large variety of elements that include: acetin glucoP, alizarin, anthraquinones, aspartate, asperuloside, bioflavonoids, caprlyic acid, carbohydrates, carbonate, caproic acid, carotenoids, chlororubin, damnacanthal, gludopyranose, glutamate, glycosides, iron, magnesium, morindadiol, morindine, morindone, multi-receptor activators, phosphate, nordamnacanthal, plant sterols, protein, proxeronase, proxeronine, scopoletin, sitosterol, rubiadin, serotonin, serotonin precursors, sodium, terpenes, ursolic acid, xeronine,
Noni juice can be found at health food stores. Other Noni preparations include skin, hair, nutrition, and weight management products.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Noni is commonly used as a general health tonic by Polynesian culture. It has antioxidant, immune stimulating, muscle healing, and analgesic/painkilling properties.
Those with strained muscles and joints, surface injuries, inflammation, and sleeping problems have reported improvement when supplementing with Noni. Noni stimulates helper T-cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes in the immune system, providing a kick-start to the body's natural healing abilities. It has also been used to treat arthritis, asthma, diabetes, hypertension/high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, ulcers, urinary tract infection, and other bacterial infections.
There is little scientific research on the health benefits of Noni. A compound called damnacanthal is being evaluated for its anti-cancer potential and ability to inhibit the Epstein-Barr virus -- linked with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia syndrome, and mononucleosis.
Source
Fruit, pureed and reconstituted into juice, combined with other juices.
Optimal Absorption
Juice: 30mL or 1oz. daily
Powder: 500mg daily
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
There are few known side effects and no reports of serious adverse side effects.
Ailment / Situation Listing
For More Information ...
Solomon, Neil. The Tropical Fruit with 101 Medicinal Uses - Noni Juice, 2nd Edition. 1999
