The Truth About Noni Juice
There continues to be an increasing number of wild berries and fruits that are being discovered in rain forests and the wilderness. Many of these are marketed and reported as miracle juices and herbs. Noni juice may be considered by many to be one of these products.
What's So Special About It?
There are those that claim that Noni juice can cure cancer, headaches, reduce pain, and reduce inflammation in the body. It does indeed have some elements that are rumored to boost the immune system, though these secondary agents do not appear to be as well described as those from some more traditional berries and plants such as the rosehip, garlic or aloe.
Other than high levels of vitamin C, the rest of the constituents of regular store-bought noni juice may appear unremarkable. Therefore, at this time there is still considerable debate as to the veracity of the claims regarding the healing powers of noni juice, or indeed many of the berries, plants and substances being discovered in the rain forests and remote corners of our world.
There are those that propose that these berries and fruits have provided miraculous levels of health for many of the hidden and lost tribes in the rain forests of Africa and South America. Of course, it is also true that many of the diseases that we fight today are probably evolutionary in nature and most likely these tribes were not in any danger from them in the first place. Still, there is great hope for products such as noni juice.
Where It Comes From
Noni juice is derived from the noni, a fleshy, pulpy looking fruit typically grown in Polynesia. The plant itself can grow to twenty feet or so high and is an evergreen. Nonis are sometimes known as the vomit fruit as their odor on ripening is rather putrid, according to reports. It is therefore quite peculiar that this particular plant was used as a medicinal preparation by native Polynesians. Traditionally used in Polynesian medicines it has been grown in the Polynesian areas for hundreds of years.
It is believed to have been originally grown in India and other parts of South East Asia. However, it can in fact be grown almost anywhere including on lava flows, and is now grown commercially in several places in the United States. It is a member of the Mulberry group of fruits and berries. Noni juice is but one of the products that is derived from the noni berry. There are soaps and healing lotions also marketed. Commercial noni juice is usually a fermented product resulting from three to six months of curing the ripe white fruit.
