Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden

NONI (Morinda Citrifolia; Rubiaceae (coffee family)

•    Noni has a reputation as a cure-all, and it is a wonderful medicinal plant, with
     every part being used: the bark, leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds.
•    Its healing properties include: antibacterial, antimicrobial, alterative (blood purifier),
   antiparasitic, stomachic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antioxidant,
   analgesic and antihypertensive.
•    Used for chronic respiratory conditions such as tuberculosis, influenza, asthma,
   coughs, colds, sinusitis and sore throat. Also effective for digestive disorders such
   as diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastric ulcers and intestinal parasites.

NONI, or the Indian mulberry, is a shrub or small tree that can grow to 20 feet in height. The stems are four-angled, with large, rounded stipules between the petiole bases at the nodes. Leaves are opposite and can be as large as three feet in length. The fruit is large and yellow-fleshy when ripe, and is oval or elliptical in shape. The fruit has a pungent odor when bruised or crushed. The Physician’s Desk Reference for Herbal Medicine states that the fruit is “inedible.” We beg to differ!

Noni occurs from India to Eastern Polynesia but is native only to Southeast Asia, possibly only to the islands of Indonesia. The plant was probably carried by ancient travelers in Polynesia on their canoes. In ancient times, Noni was a valuable dye plant. In Polynesia, red dye was made from the bark and yellow dye from the roots. The fruit was served as food for pigs and in times of famine, for humans as well. A common method in Hawai‘i of preparing the fruit for consumption is to place numerous fruit in a large glass jar and let it “rot,” then drink the juice for its medicinal properties. However, there are other, more pleasing ways to benefit from this important healing plant. A tincture can be made by following these steps:

1.    Chop the fruit and put the pieces in a clean jar, about 1/3 full.
2.    Cover the chopped fruit with vodka or brandy. You can use vegetable glycerin and/or cider vinegar in place of alcohol. If you wish, you can add other ingredients to improve the taste, such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and other fruit such as mango, dried apricots, etc.
3.    Close the jar tightly and store out of direct sunlight.
4.    Shake your tincture every day for 4 weeks. Then strain it and bottle it, preferably in dark glass, and store in a cool, dark place at room temperature. Don’t forget to label what’s inside!

DOSAGE: Normally, tinctures come in a small brown bottle with a dropper. For many herbs, take a fairly large amount 2 to 3 times each day until symptoms are gone. For example, take 2 to 4 FULL droppers 2 to 3 times each day. Taking a couple of drops comes from homeopathy and is not correct.

Do not use this herb if pregnant or nursing: Noni is also an emmenagogue (promotes menstruation).

NOTE: The use of herbal products should not be taken lightly. Consult a physician before using any herb, especially if you are taking any prescribed medications, due to drug interactions.