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Over 2,000 years ago, the first Polynesians travelled from South East Asia across the Pacific Ocean brining with them the strongest herbal tonic in their island culture - the Noni or Indian Mulberry.

The Noni (Morinda Citrifolia plant to use its "proper name") grows well throughout the South Pacific region, but flourishes in the rich volcanic soil in the pristine tropical paradise of the Cook Islands. The fruit is organically grown and processed in a traditional manner to extract a pure qulaity juice with no additives (The fruit can be seen in the bottom right of the picture on top of the leaves)

Traditional native healers throughout the Paciific used Noni to treat: arthritis, bowel disorders, allergies, stomach & respiratory disease, bacteria, infections, growth, mouth ulcers, burns, stings, fish poisoning and many other chronic illness. It was also used to reduce swelling and relieve pain, the Noni tree sometimes being known as a Painkiller tree or Headache tree.

Well, that's what it says on my bottle!

You are recomended to take 30 to 40ml before meals. And you can take it "as is" or "with your favourite juice". It's definitely an acquired taste!

If you fancy trying it out, it's available by mail order from Cook Islands Natural . The ladies above who sold me mine are certainly a fine advert for it.

Essential Facts: Morinda citrifolia

Otherwise known as: Indian Mulberry, Mengkudu (Malay), Nono/Noni (Pacific Islands), Noni (Hawaii)
Size: 5-9 m tall
Leaves: Large, simple, dark green, shiny, deeply veined.
Flowers: Flowers: Small, white, growing from a fleshy structure. Blooms and fruits year round
Fruits: Oval, medium 4-7cm, at first green, turning light yellow or white when ripe. Has many seeds

And if you want to find out more, have a look at the Noni website of Dr. Scott C. Nelson at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. It covers botany, horticulture and production, harvesting and processing, marketing, and pests and diseases. There are also links to information on the medical aspects of noni use.