What is Noni?

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.





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.

Early Polynesians recognized its pure value and consumed it in times of famine.
The Noni plant is a small evergreen tree that grows along Hawaii’s beaches and in forest areas up to 1,300 feet. It has been used for centuries by the Hawaiians to treat heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and other degenerative ailments.

It has recently been brought back to popularity as new and exciting scientific findings have been released. Most recently, a federal grant was given to the University of Hawaii to study Noni as a possible cure for cancer.