Jamaican Cookery

For thousand of years noni juice has played a central role in treating and curing very serious medical disorders. Noni juice is mixed with honey and sold commercially as a fat reducer in Jamaica.

What is noni?

Native to Polynesia, the noni plant (also known as Indian mulberry) is a small tree that usually grows to a height of ten feet. The fruit, which starts out green and turns yellow, is used medicinally.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit that has ripened from a solid dark green to a cream -yellow colour.

Traditional Use of noni

Traditional Polynesian healers have used the fruit of the noni plant for just about everything—from a tonic drink to mending broken bones—but it is said that because of its strong, unpleasant odour and bitter taste, a person won’t take it until they are too sick and desperate.

Active ingredients in noni

The major constituents in noni appear to be polysaccharides and a compound known as damnacanthal. the polysaccharide component has been shown to increase the release of immune-enhancing compounds that activate white blood cells.

Noni’s health benefits

Noni stimulates the immune system, regulating cell function and cellular regeneration of damaged cells. Therefore, noni supports the immune system's natural ability to fight disease and infection.

Antioxidants--Noni juice contains superior antitoxins' that can rid the body of harmful radicals.

Energy--Noni juice increases your energy with just 1 oz..

Lowers high blood pressure
Works with melatonin and serotonin to help regulate sleep, temperature and mood cycles.
Acts as anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic agent
Alleviates pain.

Noni fruit powder is usually sold in capsules or sometimes in bulk form for reconstituting as juice or for mixing in other products.
Noni fruit powder is a source of selenium (an essential trace mineral) and manganese (an essential trace mineral needed for healthy skin, bone, and cartilage formation, as well as glucose tolerance)  and provides some zinc and relatively good source of vitamin C.

Noni leaf powder is used in teas or made into encapsulated nutritional supplements. In Korea the powdered leaves are mixed with powdered garlic and made into pills referred to as "healthy kidney" pills. Noni leaves are a good source of calcium.

The odour and taste of the noni fruit is not pleasant which makes it unpalatable for many people unless it is mixed with juice or some other beverage to mask the flavour.

Commercial noni juice range from 10% to 100% of pure noni juice. Manufacturers incorporate other juices to reduce the cost and/or cover the unpalatable flavour. The homemade version method provides 100% noni juice.

How to extract  noni juice at home

1. Fully ripened noni fruits are placed into a glass jar; pour a small amount of water into the jar. Tightly closed the jar so that the noni naturally decompose and ferment over 1 week to 3 months depending in the quality of the fruit.

2. The juice is then strained through cheesecloth and stored in the refrigerator.

Or you can put the ripe noni fruit into a Ziploc bag without water  and allow it to naturally decompose.

How much noni should you take?

How to Use It

The usual recommendation is 4 ounces (120 ml) of noni juice 30 minutes before breakfast (effectiveness is thought to be best on an empty stomach)

Commercial products are now available that have either eliminated the odour, altered the taste, or made it available as an extract in tablets or capsules to increase palatability. For liquid concentrates the typical recommendation is 2 tablespoons (30 ml) per day. For powdered extracts the typical recommendation is 500 to 1,000 mg daily.

Side-effects
Patients who are on a low-potassium diets due to kidney, liver, or heart problems should avoid noni products.
Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, avoid all noni products, unless otherwise advised by your doctor.