The Noni plant is believed to have first arrived in the South Pacific islands about 2,000 years ago from India. The ancient ocean-going peoples of that time made their voyages in outrigger canoes traveling from island to island establishing new villages in what is now known as French Polynesia. Hundreds of years later the people traveled to the Hawaiian Islands.
These early travelers must have thought Noni to be a precious and sacred cargo, as they had very limited space in their canoes, yet they made room to include Noni fruit for their journey. When emigrating, the Pacific Islanders brought with them the most essential items necessary for future generations. Noni had a wide range of uses -- as basic food during famines, as construction materials, as dye for cloth, and it was also used by the ancient healers for its health benefits.
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In modern times, the foremost contributor to the taxonomy of the plants of the Far East, Elmer Drew Merrill (1876-1956) included the Noni plant in his published U.S. Military Survival guide written for soldiers based on tropical Polynesian islands during World War II. In his book, Merrill recommended Noni fruit to American GIs as an emergency food or to give them added sustenance.
It wasn't until the early 1950s that a renowned scientific researcher and biochemist would begin important research that would lead to the discovery of the healthful properties found in Noni.
Over the past few years, Noni juice has gained popularity as an alternative medicine. Modern day scientific and medical communities have begun to study the plants and understand the healthful properties that were known and appreciated by the ancient healers.
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