Noni (Morinda Citrifolia)

Noni was the only medicinal plant that the Polynesians brought over on the canoe to the Hawaiian islands. Hawaiian legend has it that the demigod Maui was brought back to life after applying the noni leaves to his body. Pele, the volcano goddess would avoid the noni tree, thus saving it, as she sent lava flowing down the mountain. Noni is considered “the starvation fruit”, a superfood, and was indicated in over forty medicinal herbal remedies of the Polynesians.

This small evergreen tree originates from southeast Asia and Australia. It is in the Family or the coffee family. It is commonly referred to the Indian mulberry, or some call it “cheesefruit” perhaps because of its stinky smell and taste.

The noni tree can produce 20 pounds of fruit every month, it is prolific with its medicine and food year round. The fruit and juice may be used for heart health, diabetes, high blood pressure, indigestion, high cholesterol, depression, sleep, symptoms of cancer, and respiratory ailments. The leaves may be made into a tea for tuberculosis, depression, aging, arthritis, and symptoms of cancer. The roots produce natural dyes in yellow and red. The unripe fruit may be massaged with salt for poisonous bites, burns, lesions, and broken bones.

Noni contains ursolic acid, melatonin and serotonin, which explains why it is beneficial for depression and sleep problems. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative and anti-bacterial. It aids in boosting the immune system. Noni has the potential to treat every imbalance in every system in the body. A true super food!