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Ancient peoples of what
is now known as French Polynesia , colonized islands throughout the
South Pacific . As they made their voyages from island to island in
the ocean-going canoes, they brought with them sacred plants from
their home islands. These plants contained the basic foods,
construction materials and medicines used by the Polynesian
colonizers. Perhaps the most important of these plants is known as
Morinda citrifolia . Ancient manuscripts handed down from generation
to generation, describe many uses for this plant.
This plant is known among the people of the
tropics world-wide. In Malaysia, it is known as Mengkudu . In
Southeast Asia it is known as Nhau . In the islands of the South
Pacific the plant is known as Nonu , in Samoa and Tonga. Nono in
Raratonga and Tahiti, and Noni in the Marquesas Islands and Hawaii.
Here it has become and integral part of the Polynesian culture. An
important source of food, the fruit of the Morinda citrifolia tree
has been used for centuries as a food source. Early Polynesians
recognized its pure value and consumed it in times of famine.
During World War II, soldiers based on tropic
Polynesian islands were taught by the native Polynesian people to
eat the noni fruit to sustain their strength. The noni fruit became
a staple food choice for people of Raratonga, Samoa and Fiji who ate
the noni fruit raw or cooked. Australian Aborigines were fond of the
noni and consumed it raw with salt. Seeds, leaves, bark and root
were also consumed by people familiar with the qualities of this
unusual plant.
I believe that we have much to learn from the traditional use of
the amazing plant. The wonderful thing about the Morinda citrifolia
plant is that every part is valued and used.
The Morinda citrifolia plant flourishes in the lush and unspoiled
islands of French Polynesia , the best known of these islands is
Tahiti . It is considered to be one of the most beautiful plants in
the islands. It is a valued addition to a traditional Polynesian
garden. The plant reaches heights of 15-20 feet and yields fruit
year-round. The blossoms of the tree are a creamy white color. The
mature noni fruit is about the size of a potato and resembles a
small breadfruit. When ripe the fruit turns yellow and white.
The traditional Polynesians pick the noni before is it fully
ripe and placed it in a jar in the direct sunlight. When fully ripe,
the noni is mashed into a puree and the juice is extracted through a
cloth. The juice is now ready for use. Traditionally, the juice is
taken during times of rest when the body is under the least amount
of stress. The Morinda Citrifolia has been prized in Polynesia for
centuries but has never found its way to the western market, until
now. Tahitian Noni International is the first company to offer it to
the North American consumer.
References:
1. J. Morton, the Ocean-Going Noni, or
Indian Mulberry (Morinda Citrifolia Rubiaceae) and Some of Its
Colorful Relatives, Econ. Bot. 46(3) pp. 241-256, 1992.
2.
Medicinal Chest from the Malaysian Rainforest, 1996
3. Issabella
Alona Abbott, La'an Hawaii Traditional Hawaiian Uses of
Plants.
4. Otto Degener, B.S., M.S., Illustrative of Plants and
Customs of the South Seas
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