As far as research tells us, the history of noni is rich and varied. Noni is a fruit that has been around for nearly 2000-3000 years. noni, or Indian Mulberry or scientifically Morinda Citrifolia, is believed to have originated in the Southeast Asia or the French Polynesian islands.

Noni was first discovered and used by man long before recorded history in Southeast Asia and the subcontinent, when ancient Indian medicine men began examining the natural world to find plants good not only for food, but to treat disease and otherwise benefit their health. They developed a medical system of using plants and natural treatments to influence their health and called it Ayurveda, Sanskrit for “THE SCIENCE OF LIFE” A highly advanced system of natural medicine, Ayurveda is still practiced today.

Noni was considered a sacred plant in Ayurveda and is mentioned in ancient texts as Ashyuka, which is Sanskrit for “longevity.” Noni was noted to be a balancing agent, stabilizing the body in perfect health. When the time came for the brave explorers of the subcontinent to leave their old world behind, they took noni with them as an essential element in the establishment of their new island paradise.

When Europeans began exploring the islands of the South Pacific in the late 1700s, they made note of the use of noni among the native people. Captain James Cook’s own journals make mention of his observation of the island natives using noni.

During World War II, soldiers based on tropic Polynesian islands were taught by the native Polynesian people to eat the noni fruit to sustain their strength. The noni fruit became a staple food choice for people of Raratonga, Samoa and Fiji who ate the noni fruit raw or cooked. Australian Aborigines were fond of the noni and consumed it raw with salt. Seeds, leaves, bark and root were also consumed by people familiar with the qualities of this unusual plant.

In traditional use, noni has been used both for medicinal purposes and food. Also in traditional uses of noni, it has been used in many other ways and virtually every part of the tree is used in some form or another. The history of noni tells us about the more widely known traditional uses and medicinal uses of the different parts of noni have been used to help heal wounds, to treat infections and also to treat diabetes, fevers, skin problems, among others. Over 40 different medicinal remedies can be identified by researchers that were used traditionally by different cultures. Within certain South Pacific islands, many stories have been passed down about the history of noni, and the traditional and medicinal uses.

Over the past decade, Noni juice has gained popularity as an alternative medicine. Modern day scientific and medical communities have continued to study the plants and understand the healthful properties that were known and appreciated by the ancient healers.

Today, millions the world over are discovering the health balancing properties of this once hidden island secret.