When a natural plant makes Big Pharma and the USFDA nervously huff and puff, you KNOW there is something amazing to be discovered. You already KNOW the plant has phenomenal healing power when you read this:
"In August 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a Warning Letter to Flora, Inc. for violating section 201(g)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)]. Flora made twelve unfounded health claims about the purported benefits of noni juice as a medical product, in effect causing the juice to be evaluated as a drug. Under the Act, this necessitates all safety and clinical trial evidence for the juice providing such effects in humans.[2]"
Taken from the wikipedia entry for 'noni juice'. They finally classified it as a drug, making the clinical evidence requirement so high (and expensive and manipulable by Big Pharma) that it is hard (and expensive) to sell noni as a supplement or make healing claims for it.
And so it is with much pleasure that I am witnessing the transformation in my humble Thai garden from this:
and this morning to this:
and hopefully soon to this:
Image credit: pixabay
Morinda citrifola better known simply as 'Noni'- related to the coffee plant and happily growing across Asia, Hawaii and Polynesia. The ripe fruit is not exactly delicious and has a strange taste and a smell usually likened to cheese. So what's the big deal about it?
- It contains polysaccharides that are anti-tumor-anti-cancer
- It stimulates seratonin and melatonin production, which balance and improve moods, emotions and sleep
- One of its nicknames is 'the painkiller tree' and studies DO suggest it is comparable to tramadol & hydrocortisone
- It activates macrophages, which makes it a massive immune booster
Damn, no wonder Big Pharma and the FDA are nervous. A simple plant that single-handedly threatens the pain killing cash cow, the depression & sleep meds cash cow, the cancer drug cash cow AND the antibiotic cash cow?? Now I'm really interested!!
What about the "no evidence" claims? You'll find links to many published studies at the conclusion of this excellent article: https://healthiersteps.com/10-amazing-health-benefits-of-noni/
The trees in our little Thai garden are actually amazing but, frankly, an embarrassment - mangy, single stalked with yellowing leaves and yet still fruiting. Note to self: when arm is functioning and monsoonal deluges allow, apply compost and a long afternoon with a ladder and the pruning saw to give them more light and space to grow - the mulberries beside them are HUGE and overshadowing them.
What will I do with these first few precious fruits when they are fully ripe? Juice with fresh pineapple and lime. Yes!! And start a tincture together with ginger, for inflammation, stomach upsets and general immune-boosting.
I can FEEL Phra Mae Thoranii, the Thai Earth Goddess, smiling in approval.
Flow with your garden and the seasons, use the internet and your mind to evaluate and distill the important information. Make your own tinctures, since buying and selling them is fraught with legal-Big-Pharma-created hurdles. Gift your friends. And be your own doctor.
Use strong medicines - natural ones too - with caution and in moderation.
The best natural medicines remain profoundly simple: smiles, natural food, laughter, love in all its forms, joy, beauty and freedom.
Grateful.
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