Plant Profile: Noni, Morinda citrifolia

Noni street tree in Tulum, Mexico

Noni, Morinda citrifolia

aka Cheese plant

I’m still on the tropical plant kick. I felt this plant could use a post of it’s own.

I first met and learned about this plant in 2009 when I was in Panama. I followed this trail through the jungle and across cattle pastures to find this little shop that I had been told about which served noni juice, smoothies and other products. (They also had a coffee farm and served coffee that they grew!) Noni tastes and smells HORRIBLE. So, why go out of my way to drink this horrible tasting drink, you may ask. I did this because I had been told about the fruit’s high medicinal value.

There are many claims, some actually quite outrageous, about the health benefits of the noni fruit. It is claimed to a be super, cure-all fruit. “It will cure cancer! Diabetes! Liver problems! ETC!” I hope everyone is warey of claims like this when you see them, as there is no magic plant that will cure all your ills. I do believe plants have many medicinal properties and consuming them will make you healthy- we are meant to eat the plants! But please don’t try to cure your cancer by drinking noni juice- this is dangerous to your health. I am not saying it can’t help health issues, but please don’t rely on any one ‘magic’ plant to cure you.

That being said, there have been many studies done on noni to find out just how healthy this little stinky fruit it. It has been found to have many phytochemical constituents that do have proven health benefits.

“The following is a partial list of the phytochemical constituents in ripe noni fruit, and some of their known biological activities.
1-Hexanol - antisepticAcetic acid – bactericide, fungicideAsperuloside – antiinflammatory, laxativeAucubin – antioxidant, bactericide, laxativeBenzoic acid – antiseptic, bactericide, fungicideBenzyl alcohol – anesthetic, antisepticCaprylic acid – candidacide, fungicide Damnacanthal - catharticEugenol – analgesic, anesthetic, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, cancer-preventiveGlucuronic acid - detoxicantLimonene – anticancer, antitumor, hypercholesterolemicLinoleic acid – antiarteriosclerotic, cancer-preventive, hepatoprotectiveMyristic acid – cancer-preventiveNoni-ppt – antitumor, immunomodulatoryOleic acid – cancer-preventivePalmitic acid - antifibrinolyticScopoletin – analgesic, antiedemic, antiinflammatory”

This was pulled from this site, which is a good source of more noni information with a full works cited section(which is always good when you are looking for facts on something that has wild claims about it).

The plant!

Its native range extends through Southeast Asia and Australia and is now found throughout the tropics(the photos are from noni I found growing as a street tree in Mexico). It is an evergreen shrub that can grow to about 10m. It has big green shiny leaves and is a member of the coffee family. It can grow in a variety of environments and soil types. In some places it is considered a weed because it can grow vigorously in places where not much else can. The tree flowers multiple times a year producing clusters of small white flowers with a sweet aroma. Because it flowers multiple times a year, it also fruits multiple times a year. The fruit produced is a bumpy, fleshy, round shape which is cream colored when ripe. It has a pungent cheesy odor when ripe, which is why it is also called Cheese plant.  

Other uses

Before it the fruit became widely used for medicine, the other parts of the plant were used for things as well. The roots and bark of the noni tree were used by many indigenous societies to make fabric dyes. Other parts of the plant were also commonly used topically in traditional medicine. The leaves and fruit had been mixed with oils and used to treat wounds

Sources:

Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/noni/downloads/morinda_species_profile.pdf

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/noni/uses.asp

The Medicine Hunter

http://www.medicinehunter.com/noni

Organic Facts

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/noni-juice.html

5 Awesome Tropical Plants

How could I come all the way to Mexico and not do a post about some of the amazing tropical plants all around me? The abundance of useful plant life around is crazy. Yes, all plants are 'useful' in that they give us air to breathe and are inherently beautiful but the usefulness of the plants here goes beyond that. Everywhere you look there is food or medicine growing all around you. I find myself walking the streets staring up at the trees looking for what they have to offer. Some of the trees I saw on my way to the store this morning include: mango, lime, tamarind, noni, neem and of course coconut(and those are just the edible ones I took note of). There is just something really special about being able to look out the window and seeing a tree COVERED in mangoes. From where I am sitting now, I can see just that(along with all the coconuts you could ever want).

I picked five awesome tropical plants to highlight here for you. Enjoy (:

Agave

Agave tequilana, Blue Agave

Colin with the giant Blue Agave

Agave americana 'Marginata' 

The agave plants here can get so massive! They can live from 10-30 years and grow 10ft wide. Towards the end of an agave's life, it'll shoot up a flower stalk that can reach up to 26ft tall. As most of the plants here are very useful, this one is where tequila comes from. Well, tequila only comes from Blue Agave, but you can make mezcal from other types of agave. (Tequila is a type of mezcal- you can learn all about the differences here.) The leaves of the agave plant also contain a fiber that can be used for rope making and a special form of leather embroidery called Piteado.

Bay Leaf Palm

Sabal mauritiiformis

These bright green palms were everywhere around the ruins of Muyil. It was so cool to be walking through the dark jungle and see the sun shining on these big leaves, like big greens suns throughout the forest. The Mayans, and many still today, used these leaves for thatching roofs. (Learn more about Mayan roofing here)  Below is a photo I took of a thatched roof in Tulum. The leafs can also be used to make baskets and other crafts.

Nopal

I tried nopal for my first time on this trip. I had eaten the prickly pear fruit before but I didn't know you could eat the paddy as well. Some other names for the nopal cactus are opuntia, nopalli, prickly pear, cactus pear fruit, nopol, tuna cardona or “tuna”, and westwood-pea. Nopal was a warrior food for the Aztecs. It was believed to give courage and resolution. It is now found that it has antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering properties. Check out this site to learn lots about nopal's health benefits, along with some recipes.  

Ficus Tree

Ficus growing on the Muyil ruins

In Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Monkey climbing at the Muyil ruins

Dana on the ficus growing on the Muyil ruins

Roots growing into the Tulum ruins

Ficus trees are some of my favorite magical jungle trees. I mean.. look at them. They can send roots down from their branches and plant themselves all around them, growing huge. This feature was incorporated into Mayan building techniques. They "employed Ficus trees planted around their pyramids, so that its hanging roots would provide for an tight external framing that together with the cement would render the buildings resistant to the ever present hurricanes of the region."(source) In the photos above you can see that some are a bit too close to the pyramids (on them!), and will eventually destroy the buildings. But, so it goes, the jungle will take back what belongs to it. 


Coconut Tree

I couldn't not mention the coconut tree. You can't go outside without seeing these everywhere. From where I am sitting, I can count 16. Americans are in recent years finally discovering all the uses of the coconut tree. There are a zillion websites claiming a zillion benefits and uses of coconut oil(here's a list of 107 uses..random number). Ooo and the miraculous hydration powers of coconut water(peace out hangover). I unfortunately had food poisoning yesterday and was in great need of re-hydrating. Today I took full advantage of these awesome trees. Laying under an umbrella with a fresh coconut watching the ocean... it was a pretty nice way to recover.  


I could go on and on about all the awesome tropical plants here. I love them so much! Maybe I'll have to do another post about some more later. For now, enjoy these. 

Showing my love <3

Cold Season Wellness With Herbs and Spices

As we move into the dark, cold months it is important that we care for our bodies. The sun goes away pretty much right after she shows her face. Temperatures fluctuate for a while and then plummet. Cold and flu season sniffles begin. The stress of the holidays wears on our bodies. Thankfully, nature has provided us with many plants that can help us stay well through the cold season. 


Echinacea for immune support

That beautiful native perennial that we enjoy seeing in the warm months, can help us get through the cold ones. Echinacea is said to be an immune-enhancing herb which helps prevent colds and/or shortens the length of them. It is endemic to eastern and central North America and was used for hundreds of years by Native Americans before European colonizers arrived here. 

Echinacea contains phenols which have high antioxidant properties. “Echinacea also contains alkylamides or alkamides, (not in E. pallida), which have an effect on the immune system”. (Medical News Today)

It can be found in the form of herbal extracts, teas, dried herbs, or capsules. Check out this DIY recipe for an echinacea tincture. 


Elderberry/ Sambucus for cold and flu

Dana making elderberry wine a few years ago

Elderberry has been traditionally used on the skin to treat wounds and taken by mouth to treat respiratory illnesses such as cold and flu. An article put out by the University of Maryland’s Health Center states, “Some evidence suggests that chemicals in elder flower and berries may help reduce swelling in mucous membranes, such as the sinuses, and help relieve nasal congestion. Elder may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties”. Elderberry is typically available in liquid or syrup form. Check out this DIY recipe for an elderberry syrup. It can also be found as a capsule and lozenge.


Peppermint and Eucalyptus for sinus relief

The oils of these plants are great nasal decongestants. “Each herb contains compounds that relax the airways and open congested sinuses and nasal passages”. (Mother Earth News) 
I like using these in combination with steam when i’m stuffed up. I can see myself a few years ago when I was super sick and could not breathe out of my nose at all- head under a towel with a steaming bowl of water and drops of Eucalyptus in my lap. It was a sad sight but, it helped. I have also just put drops on the floor of my shower when I’m in there for some extra steam help.


Turmeric and Ginger for aches and pains

You’re cold, frigid and all bunched up tight to keep warm. This tension can make our joints feel  sore and cause achy all over. Turmeric and ginger are in the same family and have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. 
“A recent study from the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine found that a daily dose of 2 gm of curcumin(a compound found in turmeric) to people suffering from osteoarthritis resulted in reports of reduced pain and increased mobility. In addition to soothing sore joints, curcumin is a potent antioxidant, brain health supporter, and strengthener of the vascular system by improving the lining of the blood vessels”. 
Ginger is said to also act as an expectorant and has a warming effect that may help if you’re chilled. Both can be added to dishes raw or made into tea. 


Lemon Balm and Chamomile to unwind

To ease the seasons stresses, it is nice to unwind with a nice warm calming tea. Lemon Balm and Chamomile have both been traditionally used for their calming properties. Lemon Balm “was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion”. (University of Maryland Health Center) Chamomile is reported to have similar results. They are both commonly found as teas but can also be found as tinctures, extracts, oils and capsules. 



There are many things you can do to incorporate these herbs and spices into your diet over the next few months. When doing it yourself, make sure you research the herb you are using thoroughly before foraging and making your own teas and tinctures. While there are parts of the plant that can be medicinal, other parts of the same plant may be poisonous and it is best to do your research before using the plant yourself. If you're not into growing your own to use or foraging, buying from stores is the next best option and takes away a lot of the guess work. Both are great options! Just make sure to do your homework and find what is best for you. 


Sources:
https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/elderberry

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684.php

http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/cold-busters.aspx?PageId=1

https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lemon-balm

http://amazingwellnessmag.com/cold-weather-herb-guide/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-chamomile

5 Funny Common Names and Their Origins

Many plants have various common names. They usually vary from place to place. These names can be pretty silly, for example there are Dragon's Blood Trees, Hens and Chicks, and Mother-In-Law’s-Cushion.  A lot of plants get their common names from the way they look. Bleeding heart, for example, looks like a heart with a drop below it. But some plants get their names from what they are traditionally used for. Here are five of those plants with silly names that do what they are named to do. 

Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale 

Sneezeweed got it's name from the Native Americans and early settlers who used it as snuff. They crushed the flowers and inhaled them to induce sneezing which was thought to rid the body of evil spirits. It was also used medicinally to treat fevers and head colds.

Horny Goat Weed, Epimedium 

Can you guess what Horny Goat Weed is used for? Bow-chicka-wow-wow.. yes. It's used as an herbal supplement for sexual performance problems including erectile dysfunction and to arouse sexual desire. But, according to WebMD, it's also used for "weak back and knees, joint pain, osteoarthritis, mental and physical fatigue, memory loss, high blood pressure, heart disease, bronchitis, liver disease, HIV/AIDS, polio, a blood disorder called chronic leucopenia, viral infections of the heart, bone loss after menopause, weak bones (osteoporosis), and as a tonic". That's quite the plant. 

Soapwort, Saponaria officinalis

Soapwort contains saponins which when boiled in water lather up just like our modern soap which uses phosphates to do that job. It can also be used as a shampoo. Check out this link for liquid soap and shampoo recipes with soapwort. (The -wort part of the name comes from an ancient English term meaning plant.)

Chokecherry, Prunus Virginiana

Many Native American tribes used this plant as a food and medicine. European settlers learned from the natives about the health properties of the plant and began using it to treat coughs and colds. But it had many other medicinal uses as well, such as helping inflammation of the bowel, diarrhea, stomach cramps, cholera, digestive problems, gangrenous wounds, sores, pains, severe burns and wounds.

Spleenwort or Miltwaste, Asplenium ceterach

Spleenwort, also called Miltwaste, got it's name because it was thought to cure disorders of the milt or spleen. The genus, Asplenium, is derived from the Greek word for spleen. This is an old belief based on the doctrine of signatures, that the fern was useful for ailments of the spleen, due to the spleen-shaped sori on the backs of the fronds. 

7 Herbs and Their Uses

Herbs are beautiful, useful additions to any garden. They have countless benefits and uses ranging from potpourri to spices for food and infusions and teas for your health. 

This is a just a brief guide to 7 herbs that you can grow in your garden and just a few of their benefits and uses. The lists could go on and on. 

Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

Lavender is an aromatic perennial evergreen shrub. Its woody stems bear lavender or purple flowers from late spring to early autumn, although there are varieties with blossoms of white or pink. The leaves are long, spiky, and very narrow, and the stems branch out near the ground.

Uses & Benefits

• Lavender yields a highly effective essential oil with very sweet overtones, and is chiefly used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. 

• Lavender is used in the treatment of insomnia, nervous stomach, and anxiety as well as flatulence, colic, and depressive headaches. 

• Lavender, in the garden, attracts bees and other beneficial garden pollinators.

• Great for repelling fleas

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub in the mint family. It has thin dark green leaves and blue flowers. It is a pungent and distinctive plant with a sweet, resinous flavor.

Uses & Benefits

• Rosemary is used as a seasoning for poultry, lamb, stews, and soups.

• The branches can be cut every year for wreaths or for ceremonial incense.

• It has a wonderful woodsy scent and is great in air fresheners and aromatherapy mixes.

• Rosemary infused oil is an intensive treatment for dandruff.

• Used externally, Rosemary Oil can help soothe the stomach and relieve pain from indigestion, menstrual cramps or other difficulties.
• Can be used in mosquito repellent

• Deters small pests such as mice

Sage, Salvia officinalis 

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

Sage is a hardy perennial.  It takes the form of a low-growing shrub. The soft gray-green foliage is great in planters or the garden. Sage plants do best when well-hydrated through the hottest parts of summer if you want a steady supply of supple foliage.

Uses & Benefits

• Most commonly dried and used in cooking

• Sage has been found to be useful for treating depression, stress and anxiety, along with other health issues. (Webmd)

• Sage can also be used in cosmetics, perfumes, and soaps. 

• Burning sage removes unpleasant odors, such as lingering cigarette smoke or cooked fish smells. White sage is burned in Native American traditions for purification and protection purposes.

• Sage can be used as an insect repellent. 

• Great for repelling deer

Thyme, Thymus vulgaris

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

Thyme is an aromatic herb in the mint family.  It can grow to a height of fifteen inches, with small rounded leaves and pink flowers on woody stems.  It prefers a sandy, dry soil and plenty of sun.

Uses & Benefits

• Thyme has many culinary uses and is often included in seasoning blends. 

• Oil of thyme is the main ingredient in the mouthwash Listerine. 

• Thyme is a strong antiseptic used externally for infected cuts and scrapes and internally for oral and respiratory infections.  

• Teas of thyme have been taken orally to treat allergies, asthma, colds, and coughs. 

• Inhaling essential oil of thyme placed in hot water as aromatherapy may encourage coughing up of phlegm and stop spasms of the bronchial passages.

• In the garden, pollinating bees are drawn to thyme, whilst harmful cabbage worms are repelled.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum 

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

Basil is a highly fragrant member of the family Lamiaceae. The plant grows from a thick taproot and has silky round leaves that are oftentimes pointed. They are green in color, although some varieties feature hints of red or purple. The plant produces small white flowers which are clustered on a single spike at the top of the plant. Basil plants are often grown as annuals but may survive for several seasons with some care.

Uses & Benefits

• Basil is commonly used as a fresh or dried herb in cooking and is popularly used in beverages in Southeast Asia.

• The unique array of active constituents, called flavonoids, found in basil provides protection at the cellular level.

• Basil is a very good source of vitamin A.

• Basil is also a good source of magnesium, which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow.

• Planting near tomato plants enhances the taste of tomatoes.

• The strong scent of basil attracts beneficial bees and other pollinators.

• Basil deters flies.

Mint, Mentha spp

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

Mint is a perennial with very fragrant, toothed, opposite leaves and square stems. Mint plants produce a terminal flower spike and the flowers can be white or purple in color depending on variety. Mint plants are fast growing and can become very invasive. They will continue to grow for many years once established. 

Uses & Benefits

• Mint leaves are used fresh or dried to make teas, jams and desserts.

• Essential oil can be extracted from the leaves and is used as a flavoring.

• Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser, and it promotes digestion.

• It also soothes stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation. 

• Menthol oil derived from mint can be very soothing for nausea and related motion sickness.

• Improves oral health.

• Mint's highly aromatic foliage acts to repel ants, white cabbage moths, and other pests.

Chives, Allium schoenoprasum

Common name, Botanical name

Characteristics 

The chive plant is a perennial herb and member of the onion family (Allium). It forms small bulbs from the roots. The leaves of the plant are tapering, hollow and cylindrical and have a soft texture. The chive plant grows in clumps and produces large pale purple flowers in a dense cluster of 10–30 individual inflorescences.

Uses & Benefits

• Chives are consumed fresh as a culinary herb in a variety of dishes.

• Chives comprise more vitamin A than any other allium family member vegetables.

• They also have some other essential vitamins such as vitamin C, and K.

• The leaves are packed with other B-complex vitamins as well as some essential minerals such as copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and calcium.

• Chive is known to repel a number of harmful insects including aphids, beetles, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles and slugs.