Walking along some of St. John’s most popular beaches like Maho Bay and Trunk Bay, you are likely to come across the noni tree, more formally known as Morinda Citrifolia or Indian Mulberry. The tree originated in Southern Asia and Australia, and due to the buoyancy of their seeds, the plant has been able to migrate across oceans and thrive throughout the tropics. The noni tree has large leaves and bears a peculiar looking fruit that is off white in color, is roughly the size of a potato, and resembles an oversized grub. When ripe, the fruit becomes translucent and gives off a pungent odor similar to stinky cheese. The smell alone gives most people the incentive to steer clear unless out of desperation, which is why noni is locally known as starvation fruit. Although it is not appealing scent wise or taste wise, the fruit and leaves are edible and many claim that they offer an abundance of medicinal properties.
Noni fruit and leaves were traditionally used throughout Polynesia as a salve to treat wounds and infections, while ingestion of the fruit was generally limited to times of famine. In recent years noni has been claimed to treat a myriad of problems including aches and pains, infections, arthritis, high blood pressure, and to alleviate skin problems. Claims even go as far as to label noni as a cancer treatment. Noni has become a commodity with some marketers characterizing it as an antioxidant rich superfruit, however, these claims frequently lack scientific evidence. Research has not found significant levels of antioxidants in noni, but a study conducted by the University of Hawaii found that 100mg of noni pulp powder contained ten times the amount of daily recommended vitamin C, which is incredible and it likely accounts for the claims made of noni being an immune booster. The fruit was also found to have significant amounts of fiber, protein, vitamin B3, iron, and potassium. The downside is that noni loses a remarkable amount of its nutrients once it is manufactured into pulpless juice. For example, while the noni pulp powder contained 1000% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C, the juice only contained 42%.
Despite all the hype, there are several serious side effects to be cautious about. There have been reports of both liver and kidney damage in people who consumed noni for several weeks, although it was not proven that noni was the cause. Noni has also been known to be an abortion alternative and breast feeding mothers have been recommended to stay away from the fruit due to inconclusive research on its effects on infants. It is also important to consult a doctor before taking noni, as the fruit may have negative interactions with certain medications, particularly those that affect the liver, kidneys, and blood pressure.
Ripe fruit is identifiable by its smell and its translucence. It can be eaten directly from the tree or made into juice by either crushing and diluting it or allowing the fruit to ferment. Fermentation might be a safer option considering that the potassium content diminishes when you take away the pulp, which in turn poses less of a threat to your kidneys which are potassium sensitive. I would be remiss not to mention that this fruit is not for the faint of heart, or stomach for that matter. If you're queasy, pinch your nose as you eat it and have something flavorful to chew on afterwards to get rid of the horrible taste. Due to the uncertain effects of this fruit on humans, I advise you to consume at your own risk!
Whether or not this fruit is suitable for our own palates, it's important to note that the noni tree plays an important role in our environment. It is a very tough plant that persists through floods and dry spells. The fruit is a great source of food for birds, insects, bats, and other small animals on the island. The flowers are loaded with nectar that attracts honey bees and butterflies, and the decaying fruits are often breeding grounds for fruit flies.