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Morinda citrifolia - Noni: Life Sustaining Plant
Scientific name: Morinda citrifolia Many people have heard about mysterious and miraculous Noni, but a few of them know axactly what it is. Originally this tropical fruit was only found in the South Pacific, but now becomes more popular due to its unique medicinal properties and easy cultivation. Famous Healing Noni Juice is produced commercially and sold in bottles pretty expensive, while it is possible to grow this small tree not only in your yard, but indoors as well, and have a constant crop of fresh fruit. Besides, the plant is highly ornamental, with large, waxy tropical looking leaves and bushy habit. It can successfully replace a boring Ficus elastica sitting in your porch corner, and yet will bring you valuable oddly looking fruit, not only a conversation piece, but an everyday folk remedy as well. Supposedly, Noni juice can cure just about anything and sometimes is considered as panacea. However, lets look into the history of this plant and watch how it was being used within the centuries as a traditional health-giving plant that is perhaps one of the most important natural health discoveries... We have so much to learn from the traditional use of this amazing beauty, every part of which is valued and used. Noni is a valuable plant to have nearby the home of anyone wishing to utilize the many natural healing properties of this remarkable life sustaining plant. |
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A Nature's Real Doctor Noni has distinct chemical constituents which are responsible for its healing characteristics. Compounds identified in Noni fruit are just unique: Acetic acid, asperuloside, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, butanoic acid (n-butyric acid), I-butanol, n-butyric acid, calcium, carotene, decanoic acid, 6-dodeceno-y -lactone 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, elaidic acid, ethyl decanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl palmitate, (ethylthiomethyl) benzene, eugenol, glucose, heptanoic acid, 2-heptanone, hexadecane, hexanamide, hexanedioic acid, hexanoic acid, 1-hexanol, hexyl hexanoate, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, iron, isobutyric acid, isocaproic acid, isovaleric acid, lauric acid, limonene, linoleic acid, magnesium, 2-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methyl-2-butenyl decanoate, 2-methyl-2-butenyl hexanoate, 3-methyl-2-buten-l-ol, 3-methyl-3-buten-l-ol, methyl decanoate, methyl elaidate, methyl hexanoate, methyl 3-methylthio-propanoate, methyl octanoate, methyl oleate, methyl palmitate, 2-methylpropanoic acid, 3-methylthiopropanoic acid, myristic acid, nonanoic acid, octanoic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, paraffin, potassium, scopoletin, sodium, terpenoids , 2,5-undecadien-l-ol, undecanoic acid, n-valeric acid, vitamin C, vomifoliol. Researchers throughout the world have studied Noni, bringing the secrets and benefits of the Noni plant to the peoples of the world. Noni’s reputable qualities are capturing the attention of scientists whose work and findings are published in some of the world’s most renowned journals. Research is revealing that all parts of the noni plant - roots, seeds, flowers, leaves, and fruit - have specific beneficial health properties. There seems to be no known food or herb with either the rich list of substances or the high amounts of key substances all put together in one super food. Noni aids the body’s natural healing abilities. It works like a food and acts like a medicine or herb without the side effects. This plant is a real doctor! All parts of the Noni tree have so-called "proxeronine system" in them - a very important part of our immune system. In 1950 Dr. Ralph Heinicke PhD, a scientist and biochemist, lived in Hawaii discovered an alkaloid, which he named xeronine, an essential element for human health that is required for proper cellular communication and protein structure. The increasing use of artificial fertilizers in growing our food, as well as the increased pollution in our environment also negatively affects our intake of xeronine. Without this alkaloid, our body's cells become weak, resulting in weak tissues. Weak tissue causes weak organs. In turn, weak organs can lead to numerous health problems. As we age, our bodies produce less xeronine than is essential for our bodies to function optimally. Dr. Heinicke has found Noni to be one of the richest sources of proxeronine available. When proxeronine is present in the body, it accelerates the body’s ability to make sick cells better and to keep cells from getting sick in the first place. Scopoletin, another important ingredient in Noni, is known for its anti inflammatory, anti histaminic, improved circulation, anti-asthmatic, anti-bacterial and several additional important effects. According to the resent research, Noni acts as an immune modulator. It may help in eliminating the allergy related symptoms by modulating our body immune system. Noni fruit does contain a number of enzymes (proteins) and alkaloids that are believed to play a pivotal role in good health. Research indicates Noni fruit stimulates the immune system, regulating cell function and cellular regeneration of damaged cells. Since Noni fruit seems to operate on the very basic and critical immunity level, hence may be useful for a wide variety of conditions. Scopoletin which is abundant in Noni juice is anti-histaminic nature. Hence it helps in eliminating the allergy induced symptoms like running nose, sneezing, itching of parts etc. The studies show that Noni stimulates the immune system, regulates proper cell function, increases the ability of cells to absorb and utilize nutrients, inhibits tumor growth, and regenerates damaged cells. Noni can be used as a supplemental cancer treatment and to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. As a powerful antioxidant, it is used in therapy of AIDS / HIV. The Noni seeds are a source of phospholipids, which are important in aiding your senses: touch, balance, hearing, taste. Research has shown that linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, is a powerful ally in skin hydration and health. The seeds are especially rich in linoleic acid, which is absorbed easily through the skin. Noni fruit can increase mental clarity and attention span, as well as allow greater physical performance levels. It also benefits the following systems of the body:
Today the basic Noni elements are used to create Noni juice products which are being used by thousands of people with unbelievable results. The formula is based on the ancient recipes of the islanders, is made from straight Noni fruit puree and includes grape and blueberry juice concentrates to enhance the flavor of the juice. |
Botany of Dr. Noni Noni is a member of the Rubiaceae plant family, It is native of South Eastern Asia to Australia. In natural habitat this small tree reaches heights of 10-15, rarely 20 feet and yields fruit year-round. It has 4-angled stems, a straight trunk, large bright green, elliptical leaves. Thick and oval in shape, these leaves are deep veined, short-stemmed and 8 inches or longer. The remarkable part is a small white tubular flower with its nectar being a favorite food of honey-eaters. The flower seem to appear on top of already formed ovoid, "grenade-like" fruit that grows and ripens very quickly. In fact, the flowers form in about an inch long globose heads bearing many small white flowers. The flower head grows to become mature fruit that is at first green, turning light yellow or off-white when ripe, with many seeds. The mature noni fruit resembles a small breadfruit. It can grow in size up to 4-5" or more, about the size of a potato and has a lumpy surface covered by polygonal-shaped sections. The whole fruit is edible, but has somewhat unpleasant pungent smell when fully ripe, although the taste itself is not bad and resembles over-ripened sweet-and-sour pineaple flesh. However, the disagreeable odor is something one has to get used to if decides to eat a ripe fruit. Some people compare it with a smelly blue cheese (hence another name Cheese Fruit). Nevertheless, in some Pacific islands (Raratonga, Samoa, Fiji) the fruits were eaten raw or cooked as a staple food of choice. Elsewhere, the fruit is eaten raw with salt (Indochina, Australian Aborigines); or cooked as a curry. The young leaves can also be eaten as a vegetable and contain protein (4-6%). Seeds may be roasted and eaten. Noni flowers are perfect, having both male and female organs within the same flower, so only one plant is necessary for harvesting. The plant is flowering and fruiting year around. Fruits used to gather seeds are traditionally harvested when they start turning white, or when they have turned fully soft, translucent, and become characteristically odorous. Noni fruit have a large number of hard brown triangular shaped seeds the size of apple seeds. A single large noni fruit can contain well over 100 seeds. The seed coat is very tough, relatively thick, and covered with cellophane-like parchment layers forming a durable, water-repellant, fibrous seed coat or protective air sack that makes the seeds buoyant and gives them the ability to float in water for a long time. Although Noni originated in South East Asia and was distributed by humans into the islands of the Western Pacific, seeds could also have been distributed by floating in the ocean because of this air sac, and this could explain the wide distribution of the plant throughout the Polynesian islands. Seeds remain viable, even after floating in water for months. |
| Other Morinda Relatives | Worldwide names for Morinda citrifolia |
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Morinda are represented by over 80 species primarily of Old World tropical regions. The genus name derived from the Latin morus, mulberry, and indicus, Indian, in reference to the similarity of the fruit of Indian Mulberry to true Mulberry. Most popular species are Morinda citrifolia, Morinda trimera and Morinda reticulata. Within the species Morinda citrifolia, there are two types: the large-fruit Noni with oval leaves (common in Hawaii) and the small-fruit Noni with elongated leaves (common in Micronesia). Morinda citrifolia var. potteri has variegated, green-and-white leaves. Morinda trimera (Noni Kuahiwi, see pictures) is probably is most closely related to species of either the South Pacific or Malaysia. It resembles M. citrifolia but has smaller leaves and fruits. Some people incorrectly identify the two species Morinda described above as so-called “female” (Morinda citrifolia) and “male” (Morinda trimera) noni plants.
Mapoon Bush growing on seleniferous soils are Selen-tolerant and accumulate very high concentrations of this element. Cattle, sheep and horses can be poisoned from eating Mapoon Bush containing excessive amounts of the trace element Selenium. |
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Ethnic applications of the plant
This information is for education only and should not be used as a treatment guide unless recommended by a physician.
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Sprouted young seedlings 3 weeks old seedling 3 months old rooted cutting Noni is a great patio plant |
And yet so easy to grow! Noni is an unusual plant, because it can easily tolerate and thrive in a wide range of soils and conditions. The plant can take very wide range of light level, from full sun all day long to deep shade. In shade its large tropical leaves become even bigger and darker. Of course low light significantly reduce amout of flowers and fruit. In natural habitat, Noni thrives with moderate watering and can survive extended periods of drought once established and mature. In contaner cultivation it prefers moist soil at all times, otherwise large meaty leaves start wilting down and may drop if growing medium is overdried. The good thing is - there are almost no chances to overwater this plant; it may easily stand in water for a while. Of course try to be reasonable, it is not in aquatics! Being relatively flood lolerant, Noni is a good choice for beginners, because owerwatering happens to be the main problem causing plant failure. Noni tree grows well on sandy or rocky shores. Apart from saline conditions, it can withstand drought and grows in poor soils. The plant can be seen in clearings, volcanic terrain, lava-strewn coasts and on limestone outcrops. Noni plants of all ages respond well to sprays of foliar fertilizers and should be fertilized frequently using smaller amounts of fertilizer, rather than infrequently using larger amounts. Noni may require frequent applications of small amounts of fertilizer. However, being salt-tolerant, it will also tolerate high levels of fertilizer salts in the root zone without damage or burning to the plant. Noni flower and fruit production is very responsive to sprays of high-phosphorous foliar fertilizers (e.g., 10-45-10) and other products containing nitrogen and minor elements. No serious pest problems associated with Noni, although snales may like the delicious leaves whcih probably are as good for their health too! You can grow Noni in your garden, as a patio or indoor plant. It is perfect for container and indoor culture, tolerates low light conditions (low light actually makes leaves darker, bigger and shinier) and will start fruiting on first year. Once started blooming and fruiting, it seems like it never stops popping out one fruit with flowers on it after another. You will be greatly rewarded for the simple care can provide an pleasantly surprised with its thriving and beautiful tropical look. This showstopper will always make a coversation piece of your plant collection. The only requirement you must follow is absolutely warm conditions. Noni is a very cold sensitive plant, with a minimum temperature 55-60F to keep it happy. Below this temperature, leaves get some damage, and below 35-40 the plant may start wilt, leaves turn brown and drop; it may never recover and die if exposed to temperatures below 35F even for a few hours. Noni is easy to propagate with seeds or cuttings. Only soft, ripened noni fruits should be chosen for seed collection. Ripened fruits break up easily by hand, but the pulp clings to the seeds. The best way to separate seeds from the fibrous fruit flesh is cleaning them under a waterstrem in a colander. First, split the fruit by hand into smaller pieces. Some growers just plant fruit fragments containing seeds directly into the soil. However, we do not recommend it since the flesh may create a rotting environment. Separate the seeds from the flesh using a strong spray of water and a firm screen or colander, washing the pulp through the screen while retaining the cleaned seeds. Rubbing the fruit fragments on the screen can help force the fruit flesh through the screen. It may take a few minutes of vigorous washing and rubbing to detach most of the flesh from the seeds. Fresh Noni seeds should be planted immediately after extraction from the fruit and normally do not requre any specail pre-treatment, although it will be beneficial to soak them overnight in Cirkon solution which will improve germination rate and fight possible fungus. However, sometimes even fresh seeds take up to 5-6 weeks to germinate; but if conditions are favorable, and temperature high (80-95F), normally they start sprouting within 5-10 days. Scarifying the hard seed coat by nicking or puncturing it significantly reduces germination time. Unscarified seeds may require several weeks or even months before natural germination takes place, but their germination can be reduced by using bottom heat. Make sure to keep soil constatnly moist. Cuttings root easily too. However, for stronger root system and healthier plant, it is recommended to grow Noni from seed. Seedlings and rooted cuttings take approximately the same time to start fruiting; let's put it this way - 2-3 months will not make a big difference unlike with many other tropical fruit that fruit readily on an air-layered small plant, and may take many years with a seedling. Noni tree in its prolific beauty bears fruit year round as if to say, "Here I am, please use me!" Even if you are an immature gardener or just do not think that your thumb is green enough, you should try growing a Noni Tree, considering you can provide a warm environment for it. Replace that boring ficus in the corner with an exotic-looking Doctor Noni! It will brighten your home, and who knows - maybe some day will help you to get all better! (compare with buying a single bottle of Noni Juice for $25-30)
Further reading: |
Very tropical look! This plant is only 1 y.o., in 7 gal pot, sitting in a patio A fruiting Noni indoors by a Christmas Tree Fruiting Noni in 3 gal pot with a few fruit ripening on top of potting soil |
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