Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is believed to be among the
original “canoe plants” that Hawaii’s
Polynesian colonizers brought with them in their voyaging
canoes. The voyagers valued the plant for its medicine
and dyes.
Since the early days of the colonizers noni has become
naturalized on all the main Hawaiian islands. It grows
naturally where it is relatively wet to moderately wet,
from sea level to about 1500 feet elevation. It can be
found near the coast, in open lowlands and grasslands,
in gulches, as an early colonizing plant specie in recent
lava flows, in disturbed forests of the dryer areas, such
as the lowland forests in which hala (Pandanus odoratissimus)
and kukui nut (Aleurites moluccana) trees grow. It tolerates
salinity and thrives within solution pits, or inland tide
pools in which brackish water (ocean water mixed with fresh
water) is found.
The Noni plant from the South Pacific islands is grown
in many parts of Polynesia. The tree grows in nutrient
rich, chemical free soil. The Noni plant provides a potent
array; enzymes, amino acids, trace elements, minerals,
vitamins, polysaccarides, co-factors, and plant sterols.
Quite possibly one of the world's best natural adaptogens,
it has been used for thousands of years by the native Polynesian
people as their natural food supplement and health tonic.
Ancient Polynesians treasured and protected many of nature's
gifts in the form of trees, plants, fruits and nuts as
foods and sources of health-promoting vitamins and minerals.
The great canoe voyagers of the Pacific often carried along
seeds or seedlings of many plants as they discovered, explored
and colonized hundreds of islands in the millions of square
miles of the ocean. Many other beneficial plants grew wild
in the islands of the Pacific.
One of the most treasured of all the trees, and its abundant fruits, was named
noni (morinda citrifolia). The tree grows wild in many tropical climes, especially
if the soil is nutrient-rich and if the climate allows the tree and its fruit
to grow, blossom and proliferate. The tropical noni fruits grow almost continuously
on the trees, allowing for several harvests per year. Natural organic mulch is
produced around the base of the trees when leaves and fruits fall to the ground
where they become natural fertilizers.
