What is noni?

Noni, also known as Indian Mulberry, is a small tree or shrub approximately 3-6 meters tall that is native from southeastern Asia to Australia. It generally thrives in sandy or rocky shores but also grows in volcanic terrain and on limestone. The tree flowers and produces fruits that are about 6 inches long and resemble breadfruit. Initially green in color, the fruits ripen into a white or yellow hue and emit a pungent, unpleasant odor. Although the fruits can be eaten raw and were used in some Pacific islands as famine food, they are generally processed for their juice.

Virtually every part of the noni plant is usable. Today's cultivators focus primarily on the fruit and its juice but the roots and bark contain pigments that were used by Polynesian natives as dyes for cloths. Noni possesses a rich cultural history and it was one of the more frequently used plants by native healers.