History
The noni or great morinda, Indian mulberry, noni, beach mulberry or cheese fruit (Morinda citrifolia) is a fruit of the Rubiaceae family. If it is commonly called nono in French, in Martinique like the rest of the Caribbean it is noni which is the name used. Noni is also the name chosen for its juice. Noni is native to India, Pakistan and Australia.
It would have been introduced in the French islands of the Antilles in 1782 and would then be generalized in all the other islands of the Caribbean. Today it is present throughout the tropical zone of the globe.
Varieties
There are three varieties of nonis:
- Morinda citrifolia var. citrifolia, the typical and most widespread variety on the planet. Within this variety, there are two main types, the large-fruited noni with oval leaves which is found in Martinique and the small-fruited noni with elongated leaves (common in Micronesia).
- Morinda citrifolia cv. "Potteri", a variegated noni with green and white leaves found in Hawaii.
- Morinda citrifolia var. bracteata is found in Indonesia and other parts of the margin between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Visible bracts are underlying the fruits.
The noni is mainly present in dry and coastal woods as well as on the sandy coast.
It is propagated by seeds. Flowering takes place from August to October.
The tree is rather small and reaches 3 to 6 meters in height.
The first fruits appear about a year after sowing, although the tree does not fully mature until 2 years later. From then on it produces about 8 kg of fruit per month.
The oval or globular fruits have several fused berries. They are green first and then yellow and turn whitish or beige when ripe. Nonis are the size of an apple as soon as they mature. Noni gives off an odor and has a special flavor.
Health benefits
In the Caribbean, the noni tree is called the “pain tree” and the fruit is called the “miracle fruit”. It is used to relieve sprains and fractures and to lower fever. Noni is also known to calm osteoarthritis, relieve menstrual pain, strengthen the immune system and regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
In Asia, it is used to treat urinary tract problems, diabetes, the flu, painful periods, and bleeding. In Southeast Asia, noni treats tonsillitis and oral problems. In the Philippines, noni is used as an intestinal purifier.
In the Pacific and more particularly in Polynesia where it is more common, it is recognized for its virtues in reducing hypertension, regulating sleep and mood cycles, increasing body energy, as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial protecting the systems digestive and cardiovascular, and an antihistamine, to reduce pain and prevent the growth of cancerous tumors.
Uses
It is a fruit that remains little known in Martinique but you can find it on the stalls of fruit and vegetable vendors as in the photo opposite. It is mainly used for its medicinal properties and it is mainly made into juice. You can also find it in liquor, oil or syrup on the island.
In the rest of the world, it is also sold in capsules.
Be careful however, the Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (French Food Safety Agency) recommends moderation in the consumption of noni. No more than 30 milliliters of noni per day.
