Unlike the exotic fragrance of Monoi, the Tahitian noni takes its own center stage to conquer the world. Grown and thriving throughout French Polynesia, the noni fruit has be renowned to have incredible healing properties. But what is this coveted fruit that Americans are crazy about?
Just look at the latest figures from the Polynesian economy to measure the popularity of the noni: + 39% export more for the month of July 2015 in volume and even + 80% since January, largely to the United States, big fans of noni juice. And even to conquer this market that nono was renamed, “no no” once not considered to be commercially very promising…
An ancestral remedy
It is said that early European explorers were surprised to see the Polynesians eat this fruit in spite of its rather unpleasant smell … In fact, it is very likely that the Noni plant has been used for over 2000 years for its medicinal properties. Forty traditional remedies could be derived based on roots, leaves, bark or noni fruit, mainly to treat wounds and inflammations.
A fountain of youth?
Beyond the properties that traditional Polynesian medicine confers to this plant, the sector’s businesses lend themselves to Morinda citrifolia’s exceptional virtues. Prevention or as a cure for cancer, diabetes, through hypertension, allergies, migraines, arthritis or obesity … Consumed in the form of juice or as a dietary supplement, the noni is considered a powerful antioxidant.
These supposed virtues, and an important marketing effort of the Tahitian company Morinda, especially to the United States and Asia, explain this renewed interest in Noni, whose exports amount to nearly 2 million in the first four months of the year!
To date, it is hard to find a scientific study that could convince the most skeptical … The easiest way would be perhaps to try it first-hand….since you can find a noni plant is most Polynesian gardens!