Polynesian power plant: scientists are working with noni, a mild-mannered polynesian fruit, to validate centuries of tranditional medicinal use. (healing herbs).(Brief Article)

Walking along a beach in Hawaii a few years ago, I literally stumbled across what I thought was a bizarre looking fruit that reminded me of a translucent, white, fleshy, hand grenade. As my eyes wandered to the fresh fruit on the tree, I noticed that it had a peculiar fragrance, but the ripe fruits on the ground smelled -- as one botanical writer 100 years ago put it-"like decaying cheese." The strange fruit sparked my curiosity. I went back to my hotel room and researched the useful plants of Hawaii, only to discover the fruit was noN! I knew it was being touted as a "new herb," yet dismissed it as one of many such latest-and-greatest cure-alls that sound too good to be true.

Still, having seen the strange fruit in the flesh, I became more curious about its origins. gin. As I traveled, I began finding noni trees growing not only in Hawaii, but also in Trinidad, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala and Vietnam. I learned that noni is a commonly planted tropical tree used primarily as an ornamental plant for its broad, bright green leaves, affording shade where it's needed. More important, however, the trees' peculiar tropical fruit was utilized by ancient Polynesian cultures for food, dye and medicinal purposes.

Origins of noni

Noni, the Hawaiian and Tahitian name for this small tree, is native to Southeast Asia, perhaps originating in Indonesia. Today it is found along the coastlines of many tropical regions. Noni's seeds have a bladder-like cavity within, making them extremely buoyant -- able to stay afloat for months before reaching a distant shore suitable for gestation.

Older botanical literature refers to noni as "Indian mulberry," though it is not related to the mulberry plant. Rather it is a member of the madder family (Rubiaceae) and is known to botanists as Morinda citrifolia.

Noni in traditional medicine

Traditional medicinal uses of noni are numerous and vary depending upon location and local needs of the people. In Malaysia, the ripe fruits were infused with water, then gargled for a sore throat. Charred, unripe fruits were applied with salt to treat gum conditions. The ripe fruit was used to provide external relief from carbuncles and painful boils and used internally to treat stomach ulcers.