There was a time when noni trees grew up in tough neighborhoods.  They had to live with children using their green fruit for a nice game of bat and ball. They had to put up with insults from passers-by when their fruit began ripening in that yellow then white way of noni fruit the world over.  The ways of the old people had been forgotten and there was not much love or respect accorded to the noni.  Many didn’t even remember what the noni tree or fruit looked like!

But, all of that was before the resurgence of respect for the noni- a little something we will call the “noni-craze”. Now? There’s no rest for a noni tree. Everyone’s suddenly interested in various commercial noni-juices being distributed as tonics or nutritional supplements. I can scarcely meander through the local market without some vendor thinking little of me for not inquiring after his or her noni fruits.

I feel moved at this point to confess that I was one of those persons who’d grown up lost to the ways of the old people- giving the noni half- hearted attention.  The appearance of the large shiny leaves and small flowers did naught for me. And, the tree’s ripe “funny-looking” fruit did absolutely nothing to help the situation.

Listen, no ripe-edible fruit is supposed to have a scent like that. The ripe fruit has a pungent odour, which, on the unkind end of the scale, many compare to that of some dead animal and on the kinder end to sour dumplings. Let’s not even talk about taste!   Please…please let’s just talk about something else.

Like Noni-Believers.  Noni-Believers have but one purpose in life- preaching the good gospel of noni. So, be prepared to hear them chant: “Get ripe noni. Wash.  Place in airtight container. Juice will be released in a matter of days/weeks and collect at the bottom of the container.”  Noni-purists will advise that you strain this “juice”, refrigerate and drink (uh huh) daily as is. But, left-wing-noni-believers will assure that sweetening to taste or adding fruit juice to mask the taste and smell is allowed.

Then the believers (Right, Left or Centre) will really get started. They will make you understand never to ask foolish questions like: “what exactly is noni “good for”?”   For, WHAT ISN’T NONI GOOD FOR?  A particular relative of mine and noni-believer is convinced that the fruit's juice is to be blamed for her overall good health.  But, there are noni-believers who will get more specific and praise the noni for its ability to rigorously battle with hypertension, bowel and urinary tract ailments, ‘worms’, constipation, menstrual cramps, depression, colds, rheumatism, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Of course, that’s not all.  Noni-believers will have you know that their fruit is the one true remedy for the treatment of allergies, infection, inflammation, headaches, poor digestion, poor blood circulation and backaches. And, it was just the other day I was informed that some use not only the juice of the noni-fruit but also the leaves, flowers and bark to treat various ailments such as sore throats, “skin problems”, nausea and  colic.

Disclaimer:

The contents of this page are meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. Statements published here ought not to be taken as expert medical advice designed to treat/cure any diseases or health related conditions. Please talk to your doctor or any qualified healthcare professional if you need medical advice (Believe me, WE at RE:BELLE WOULD!)