None Other than Noni

The Noni plant is a bountiful shrub indigenous to Tahiti but found all over the world, even in unfavorable environments like the limestone soils of Guam and volcanic soil of Hawaii. The tree comes from the coffee family but is also known as the “cheese fruit” because of its pungent smell, which explains why it is commonly consumed as an extract or capsule. The diverse health benefits of the Noni’s roots and fruit has made it a staple in indigenous peoples’ diets. According to Dr. Reese Halter, a conservation biologist, Noni contains 140 nutraceuticals or medicinal extracts, and has even been used by veterinarians to heal animals. Its medicinal properties are known to “enhance the thyroid and thymus glands, which fend off infections,” and help increase serotonin binding in people with sleep disorders. From pain relief and cell repair to guarding against infection, the Noni plant has proven indispensable in fighting all kinds of ailments.

Story suggested by Gregg Cockrell.

Image:"Noni Plant, fruit, and Flower" by beautifulcataya on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons licensing.