Thursday, August 2, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Gardening Soil
The perfect soil does not exist and most gardeners have to make do with whatever nature or the house builder has left them. The soil itself ultimately governs which plants will grow well and anyone who doubts this should try to grow rhododendrons on chalk or lime. This plant and an alkaline soil are quite incompatible. Soils in Britain vary enormously between heavy clays and light sands. A child can tell the different between muddy clods of clay and dry sandy grains and these physical differences matter to the garden.
Clay is made up of tiny particles so small that they cling together and will not easily allow even water to pass between them. They have the same effect on a spade or the root of a plant. Sand, on the other hand, is made of comparatively enormous grains. They are so large that water washes easily through them and incidentally drains away a lot of nutritional material. They are so loose that sand will pour off a spade and give little support to a root system.
There is a definition of the two extremes and the particle size ranges between them but the gardener can usually tell at a glance or a prod. Science can tell the gardener the chemical constituents of a soil in minute detail but all that most people know whether soil is acid or alkaline. Some plants show a marked preference for one or the other so a simple testing kid from the garden store or centre can save the gardener a lot of frustrated efforts.
Testing is simply a matter of mixing a sample of soil with a chemical to obtain a colour code reading. Acidity or alkalinity is usually expressed as the Ph number. Seven is neutral. Any number down from seven is increasingly acidic and any number above seven is progressively alkaline. Most plants like the soil to be Ph6.5 that is just on the acid side of neutral.
Your Garden Soil Needs Food
The gardener calls it compost. It can be almost any organic matter and, except in Fenland-type soil where the earth is made of half-rotted vegetation, it will always benefit the garden. Thrown out kitchen vegetables (not root vegetables), horse or farmyard manure, straw, hope, or even woollen waste, together with the obvious greenery from the garden, will rot down to form compost.
It is the cheapest way of keeping a healthy fertile soil. Compost heaps will differ in construction and contents but they all need air and water, If they are too dry, waterlogged or airless, they do not rot or heat up enough to destroy the seeds of weeds or crops and may encourage disease.
Two or three square bins about forty inches wide are useful size for the average garden. One full for spreading, another rotting and the third being filled is an ideal routine. If the bins are made of wood, half inch gaps between each spank will ensure an air supply and a solid or polythene cover will stop the compost getting too wet. As each layer of refuse is dropped on to the heap a sprinkling of nitro-chalk or commercially produced rotting agent will help bacteria to break down the vegetation.
A light dusting of lime should be applied every few layers to prevent acid build-up which can prevent the complete breakdown of vegetation. Quick decay is helped by moisture and warmth, April to October are the best months.
Garden Mulching & Liming
The garden can be improved and capping prevented by mulching or throwing a layer of loose organic material on the soil. Bulky organic matter like straw, peat, lawn mowings or even soft green hedge clipping, just scattered on the soil will prevent the surface becoming compacted, slow down evaporation by holding moisture, smother weeds before they grow and slowly rot into the soil.
It sounds almost too good to be true, but there are possible snags. As always in the garden a balance has to be kept and while increasing bacterial activity in a mulch on the surface, a gardener can be robbing soil below of nitrogen. So a quick acting nitrogen fertiliser added ten days to a fortnight after mulching will correct the condition.
Mulching may look untidy, particularly with straw, but the benefits are considerable and many gardeners feel that a mulch spread between rows of vegetables like peas and sprouts helps prevent their own feet trampling the top soil solid.
The last main problem of mulching is that when vegetable material breaks down it creates acids. These are not necessarily harmful but they do slow down plant growth by interacting with materials like calcium. Excessive acidity is corrected by adding lime to the soul in one of the following forms:
1 Quicklime as the name implies acts fast. It can often generate enough heat on reacting with damp soil to serve as an insecticide.
2 Hydrated lime works at almost the same speed as quicklime but it can be handled more pleasantly.
3 White chalk or finely ground limestone has to be used in greater quantities than quicklime to achieve the same results.
Written by DIY Conservatories
Article Source: Garden Epic Articles
Owned by: Nipa Hut Gardens and Gifts
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Lawn Care Advice - Easy Steps To Lawn Care Success
By: Martin Haworth
So, when you are wistfully looking out over next doors green and pleasant land, it's time to take some lawn care advice and find out just what you can do, easily, to get that verdant pasture you desire.It's All In The Watering
Water is vital in getting a beautiful green lawn. These days, when temperatures are rising with the climatic effects that we are experiencing around the world, and rainfall is erratic, the best lawn care advice you can have is to get your watering just right.
If you get this right, you will find that you neither waste water, nor do you undersell your lawn either.
If you water early in the day or late, these are the right times. If you try it on in the heat of the day, you will waste water as much of it will evaporate off before it's had the chance to do good. And, what make matters worse, some grass types will scorch if watered in this way as well.
It's also to water in the right conditions for your lawn as well. the best lawn care advice would suggest that you water when the lawn needs it and not before.
Saturating the lawn can cause other problems as well as encouraging weeds to grow with a lawn that is under water for too long.
If you think about how well a lawn copes with the natural pattern of rainfall, you will start to appreciate how an irregular pattern of watering will be the best to develop good strong root systems (which like a little thirst!), without drowning the lawn and suffering other diseases.
Mow Your Lawn Carefully
Important lawn care advice is continued with the simple rules for mowing your lawn properly and in the best manner to encourage strong and healthy growth.
By ensuring that you mow in such a way as to cut at the higher end of the recommended grass height (as advised by your grass grower or other lawn care advisor - often found at your local garden center), you will increase the proportion of green surface area.
This will enable a strong plant. A bit of grass length is also good to hold back weeds that are trying their best to force their way through.
Taking proper care of your mower is also good lawn care advice. Make sure that your mower blades are sharp; a sharp blade will cut cleanly and prevent damage to your grass, which will also inhibit growth.
Take your blades to be sharpened by a professional each year. The small expense will be worth it as your summer progresses.
Thatch Control
Thatch is the material that comes from dead grass and other materials laying on the ground and inhibiting growth rather than decomposing.
Good lawn care advice means recommending that you do your best to fight thatch. This is more a project to be handled yearly rather than week by week.
Cutting grass at the recommended height for your type of grass will help reduce thatch, as will aeration of your lawn in the spring and fall.
By following this and other good lawn care advice, you'll be able to have a lush lawn that you can be proud of.
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(c) 2007 Lawn Care Guidelines. All you need to know to make the right decisions to get a great looking lawn. There's all the information you could ask for, at Martin Haworth's website, www.LawnCareGuidelines.com
Thursday, July 19, 2007
UN Appeals For More Trees
The UN has launched a campaign to plant a billion new trees, which is being welcomed by environmentalists, but with a warning by some that in certain regions it could do more harm than good.While the campaign claims that each tree uses up 26 pounds of co2 emissions and in return produces enough oxygen for a family of four, planting the right trees is important to help the world improve her ecological and environment balance.In areas that historically have suffered from a lack of rain, and in areas where global warming could potentially produce deserts, new trees that use a lot of water could have a serious affect on their biodiversity.Eucalyptus trees can consume two thousand litres of water a day, and planting new ones in Africa would be a catalyst to disaster, and local campaigners for planting trees are urged to consider their area needs and decide carefully before deciding on which type of tree to plant.As well as individuals planting a tree, it is hoped that businesses will do the same and encourage employees to do the same, with government and civil servants also being asked to take active participation to reach the target of a billion trees by the end of this year.The patron of the campaign is Prince Albert of Monaco. Prince Albert has been campaigning for the environment since becoming Monaco's Sovereign two years ago, and one of his first acts was to sign the Kyoto Protocol. Previously, along with Australia and the USA, Monaco was one of a handful of countries not to ratify the treaty.Prince Albert's father, Prince Rainier, was Europe's longest reigning Monarch until his death in April 2005. Known affectionately as the 'builder prince' he transformed Monaco into the world's favourite tax haven and ensured the Monaco Grand Prix became one of the best known annual sporting events. The Principality Albert succeeded to was a country known throughout the world for money and glamour, and the Monte Carlo casino only added to its legendary status.Albert has continued in his father's footsteps with a plan to develop an island off Monte Carlo, and like his father with the reclaimed land in Fontvieille the map of Monaco will change again.In keeping with his stance on the environment, it is thought that a successful bid to build the island will need to be seen to be environmentally friendly, with the possibility of lower rise buildings than some parts of Monaco have endured to create more living space.Monte Carlo has long been associated with glamour, heightened throughout the world in 1956 when Prince Albert's father married his mother, US actress Grace Kelly.Speculation was rife earlier this year that Prince Albert would be announcing his own engagement to South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock.'Things have gone quiet recently on the Charlene front', comment a Monaco travel guide, 'Monaco is all about glitz and glamour and perhaps a surprise announcement will be made soon. But it's possible that Albert is more interested in environmental affairs than affairs of the heart'.Monaco has been making the news recently as Monte Carlo real estate prices have escalated, and are on a level with London and New York.Even the cheapest studios are edging towards the million Euro level according to Monaco property specialists.'Increasing taxes elsewhere in Europe, especially in the UK, have seen inquiries increase significantly over the last twelve months,' they say, 'and it's not the weather in Monte Carlo that's drawing buyers, but the income tax free status of being a resident, and the security that goes with living in Monaco. There's one policeman for every one hundred residents and has to be the safest country to live in Europe'.
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For more information about Monaco including the Columbus Hotel Monaco and Prince Albert of Monaco visit YourMonaco.com
Easy Chicken Breast Recipes - Quick & Delicious
Quick chicken breast casserole is very popular in European & Asian countries. These 3 recipes below, by only reading it, will make your mouth watered and a strong will to start cooking that easy chicken breast casserole.
Chicken Breast Casserole Recipe
Ingredients:
~6 skinned and boned chicken
~Garlic
~Salt
~Pepper
~3 eggs
~1 packet of bread crumbs
~1 cup of milk
~Butter
~2 small cans of mushrooms
~1 lb of mozzarella cheese
Chicken Breast Casserole Instructions:
Mix up the milk and eggs and let chicken in the mixture. Put them in the refrigerator for about 25-35 minutes .After that put the cover the chicken pieces with the bread crumbs accompanied with the seasonings and parmesan cheese.
Heat the butter on fire until brownish color .Paste butter in the casserole from top to bottom. Place the chicken in layers covered with cheese and mushrooms.
Keep filling it with layers until the dish is full .Let it bakes uncovered at 200 degrees for an average of 25 to 30 minutes.
Tips: prepare the dish one night before for better taste and let it until cook, this will flavor it.
Serve: 6 people
Vidalia Sweet Onion Chicken Breast Casserole recipe
Ingredients:
~1 large piece of chicken breast
~2 tablespoon of vegetable oil
~2 medium-sized potatoes sliced and peeled
~2 medium-sized Vidalia sweet onions, sliced and peeled
~1 (10 3/4 Oz) can of cream of mushroom soup,(undiluted in paprika)
Vidalia Sweet Onion Chicken Breast Casserole instructions:
cook the breast in oil until brownish and remove the excess oil on the chicken by a piece of paper towel .In a 1 1/2 guard casserole put some oil .Place the potatoes at the bottom then layer onion and at the top of the mushroom soup.
Smoothly place the chicken breast on the soup and shower it with paprika .Tightly cover and bake between 340 and 355 degree for one hour.
Serves: 2 people
Fried Chicken Breast
Ingredients:
1 Egg white (beaten lightly)
1/2 teaspoon of Salt
4 Chicken breasts (skinned)
1/2 teaspoon of Onion powder
1 cup of Bread crumbs
1 teaspoon of Parsley
1/4 cup of Non fat yogurt
1/2 teaspoon of Garlic powder
1/4 cup of Flour
1/2 teaspoon of seasoning salt
In a pie plate, mix all the dry ingredients then put the flour, yogurt and eggs white in a separate pie plate.Drop the chicken in the yogurt then in flour the in egg white. then roll the piece of chicken in the bread crumbs and please verify that all part are well covered .put on the baking pan sprayed with pam. Bake the whole at about 390 degree and 420 degree for a maximum time of 1 hour.
Serve: 1 people.
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Shannon N. Jefferson gets her recipes from quickrecipesdy.info/" so be sure to stop by and check for new updates. She also loves to eat awesome restaurant recipes at: secretrecipesdy.info/
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The Miracle Tree - The Malungguy Tree
What makes this tree a miracle tree? The first time I heard about this plant I was fascinated. Since my wife is Filipino, she wanted one for the yard, since it was a nice looking tree I did not mind. Everyone kept asking about the tree and its unique shape, pods and look, I started to look further into its history and medicinal touts.
This tree is a slender, deciduous tree about 20-30 feet tall. If left un-pruned it grows tall and slender, with drooping branches. The branches themselves are brittle with a cork looking bark. The leaves tend to be pale green, compound, tip innate leaves about 3-5 inches long. They have fragrant flowers that are an off white color that are borne in sprays. They lead to pods that are 3-10 inches with 20 or more seeds inside. The seeds have a papery look that could be thought of as wings. The trunk is thick. Here in Florida they fruit year round. We cut ours back to be bushy instead of tall so we can reach the fruit.
They grow best in subtropical and tropical conditions; however they can be grown in pots for colder climates and brought in during cold weather. It seems to thrive in almost any soil conditions. It seems that every part of this tree is used in some way for food or medicinal value. The seeds are eaten like peanuts or cooked with oil and garlic. The root has the taste of horseradish, which leads to the name Horseradish Tree, in the USA. The leaves are so rich in potassium a small handful gives you more then a banana, People also eat them in salads, curries and as seasoning. They leaves also serve as cleaning items when pounded into a paste. The wood can be used as a blue dye. Often these trees are planted as a living fence for livestock. Folklore has these trees planted on graves to keep away hyenas and the branches used as charms against witchcraft.
Part of Plant - Medicinal Use
Flowers - Tumors
Leaves - Poultice to sores
Roots - Dropsy, tonic for body and lungs, stimulant in paralytic afflictions, epilepsy and hysteria.
Seeds - Abdominal Tumors
Bark - Promotes digestion, antiscorbic, used for diarrhea
Oil - Dangerous if taken internally, but applied to skin for diseases.
Vitamin Content - Protein 42%, Calcium 125%, Magnesium 61%, Potassium 41%, Iron 71%, Vitamin A 272%, Vitamin C 22%
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Peter Dixon Owner of Nipa Hut Gardens and Gifts offers a wide array of Free Gardend Ebooks and Garden Articles as well asproducts for the whole family, which are usually not found in the large retail stores and include, rare fruit trees, plants, vines, flowers, Free Garden Ebooks, Free Business Ebooks, Digital books, Digital programs and more. Visit his website at www.nipahutgardens.com
Passive Solar Energy - Is It Right For Your Home?
By: Kevin Rockwell
Every exposed part of a structure's walls, floors, windows, roofs' absorbs and stores or reflects away the heat radiated by the sun. Passive solar systems do this without any mechanical means (pumps or fans); they rely purely on design and positioning to work, which may include shutters or thermal curtains, dampers and vents, or other simple mechanisms.
While passive solar setups are rarely used as bulk collection units, the concepts behind passive solar have changed the way many architects and engineers approach designs. They are beginning to make profitable use of the sun's free energy by using to their advantage one or more of these principles: conduction (heat flows from molecule to molecule in solids; this explains why the handle of your tea cup will eventually be warmed by the hot tea in the bowl), convection (heat also flows through liquids and gases; this explains why you might swelter in the attic and shiver in the basement heat rises), radiation (warm objects radiate heat away to cooler objects, which absorb it, reflect it, or transmit it along), and capacitance (this is a measure of how much heat a material will retain over time, and is a function of thermal mass).
Passive solar systems are used for space heating more often than active systems (see below). The most heat gains (in the northern hemisphere) come from windows oriented due south, but any window within 30 degrees of that will show significant gains. The challenge, of course, it to avoid overheating a space, a problem that can easily occur in rooms with substantial glass surface area facing south. The contained heat can be redistributed relatively easily with ceiling or other fans, or by making use of the blower and duct systems (with the heating elements off) of a standard furnace. Installing flooring with high thermal mass such as stone or tile can also absorb and store the heat to be radiated later when the ambient temperature becomes cooler than the floor. A well-constructed, well-insulated building with high-performance, airtight windows can generally meet up to a quarter of its own heating needs using passive solar strategies. That, along with its next-to-nothing operating cost, clean operation, and simple maintenance makes it a natural for any structure.
Passive solar power cooling
This is more about reducing heat build-up than about taking it away. The obvious technology involved has been used for thousands of years: shading. You can do this with shutters, awnings, special smart windows(discussed later), curtains, and landscaping. Cross-ventilation will distribute the heat more evenly.
Building considerations
Even minor application of these basic principles can make a big difference in the overall climate control of a structure. Imagine that you have a room with large windows facing south. If you are in the northern hemisphere, that would mean that sunlight would shine into it all day. The windows are old clear glass, single-pane windows, which allow 80 to 90 percent of the heat to pass directly into the room. Now imagine that the sun coming in strikes a dark floor; this absorbs 40 to 95 percent of the heat. Obviously, that room will become extremely hot during the day. Depending on its intended use, this may be a good thing. The heat will flow from there, slowly but surely, into adjacent cooler spaces a process that can be accelerated, of course, with fan systems. Remember, though, that since the heat does travel to cooler areas, at night it may leak back out those same inefficient windows to the outside unless you block the windows with some sort of thermal barrier.
Windows today are far different from those drafty single-pane versions in our grandparents houses. Most new windows are constructed with two or even three panes (that is, they are double- or tripled-glazed), with insulating spacers and or inert gases between the panes, and have low-e (low-emittance) coatings of metal or metallic oxides that that reflect back much of the sun's heat without significantly reducing the light allowed in.
Additionally, there are also so-called smart windows, which use varying technologies (electrochromic, suspended particles, liquid crystal) to alter a window's transmissive properties. Since these are operated electronically, one could debate whether they are active or passive, but that's just semantics; the point is, they exist, and they work.
In addition to optimal window placement, another way engineers, architects and even homeowners can use passive solar to greater advantage is through window pitch. Most windows are installed so that their surfaces and exactly vertical. It is possible, however, to calculate a different angle that will allow a more desirable amount of heat and light to penetrate; since this calculation concerns the position of the sun throughout various times of the day and year, the angle would of course be specific to particular locations.
The siting of a building plays a large role in its passive solar properties; builders generally take the sunlight into consideration when determining the size and orientation of a given facade, using the angle of a building to enhance or reduce the amount of sunlight that penetrates. The structure's overall shape, as well as how it fits into the landscape substantial portions of a structure may be fully or partially below ground, for example' also makes a difference in how passive solar can be used to advantage. Architects and builders have been aided in recent years by the development of new materials designed to absorb or reflect varying amounts of radiated heat.
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Alternative Energy is a crucial link in our energy future if we are to cut the oil cord. We present thoughts, ideas, info and news about alternative energy at Alternative Energy HQ - alternativeenergyhq.com
Mold Prevention In Your Bathroom
Mold Prevention In Your Bathroom
By: Jim Corkern
Your bathroom is the room in your home that most people associate with cleanliness, but it is one of the worst places for you to allow mold to propagate.
Along with the kitchen, this is one of the most common places for mold to be found in the home. What can you do to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom? Here are a few tips.
Check the caulking around the bath tub or shower stall and make sure it is not cracked, broken, or even missing in certain areas. If you feel cold air coming in through a hole in the caulking, you should re-caulk it immediately.
it is not uncommon to find mold growing around the base of your toilet, especially if the toilet has overflowed often in the past or worse, if you have carpet in your bathroom instead of tile.
Carpet is generally a bad idea in a bathroom unless you are very diligent in cleaning up spills of water as soon as they are made.
You want a vent or a fan in your bathroom so that heat and moisture can escape to the outside of the house.
Mold grows not only on the floors of the bathroom, but also on the ceilings where water has been absorbed due to the steam of taking a shower being unable to escape the room.
If you can see mold on the outer surface of your bathroom wall, odds are that you are looking at a mold problem inside the wall, as well, and cleaning the mold off the outer surface of the wall is not going to be enough.
If you truly want to get rid of all the mold, you will want to replace mold-contaminated building materials, except for wood supports. This includes plywood, carpet, papered sheetrock, plasterboard, and etcetera.
If your bathroom has carpet in it and you find mold growing anywhere near the floor, replace the carpet.
Whatever you do, do not try to cut corners by painting on top of your mold problem. Mold eats paint like candy and it is nowhere near an effective solution. Even paints containing mildicides are not effective, because these are not strong enough to kill toxic mold infestations.
If you leave moist dirty clothes or towels on the floor in your bathroom closet often, expect mold to grow there. Toss your clothes in a plastic clothes basket instead of directly on the floor and this is one of the best things that you can do to prevent mold in the bathroom that most people do not think about.
We tend to let damp or even wet towels stay on the floor indefinitely, especially if we live in busy households. Clean out your dirty clothes bin often, especially if the clothes are wet.
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Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality Connecticut flood water damage restoration and other states and cities such as South Carolina Sewage Damage Clean-up companies across the united states.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Looking Back on Virgin Islands History
Christopher Columbus discovered the U.S. Virgin Islands the year after he discovered the mainland, 1493. Possession all USVI real estate and the dominion of the area first went to the British, and then the Dutch, the French, the Spanish, the Knights of Malta and then the Danes. The United States purchased the Virgin Islands in the middle of World War one, for a payment of $25 million.
If you are arguing a move to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) or at St. Thomas real estate or other VI islands, you may first want to learn something about the Caribbean culture. Nearby Blackbeard's Castle is a historic slice of Caribbean culture as well. It hovers over the small town, as it has since the 17th century. Once a bastioned castle called Skytsborg, it is today home to a hotel and restaurant.
The unique Caribbean culture of the USVI is composed of the heritage of its former inhabitants. Early USVI property owners included those from West Africa, Denmark, Spain, Ireland, Poland and Germany, as far back as the end of the 15th century. A large part of the Caribbean culture is reverberated in the USVI music. Here you will be plunged in cariso, calypso, reggae, soca and steel pan songs and melodies. Art is rampant in the local flavor of its drawings, paintings, photography and sculpture. Camille Pissarro, a noted Impressionist painter was but one of the achieved artists who owned property on St. Thomas and other USVI islands.
You will get a great look at Caribbean culture at the numerous festivities. On St. Croix Island there is a festivity called the Three Kings' Day, St. John's Island is the home of the USVI Fourth of July celebrations, and on St. Thomas Island is the yearly Carnival. There are tons of other celebrations annually which reflect the area's Caribbean culture.
The story behind the Caribbean owners of St. Thomas property is engulfed in Caribbean history including the Pirates of the Seas and is best found at the island's historic Fort Christian national landmark. The oldest structure on the islands, Fort Christian is in the town of Charlotte Amalie. Here you can visit the Virgin Islands Museum and research the memorabilia of early islanders. The Fort Christian Market Square has been a bustling market since the 1700's. While food and other goods are sold there now, its first sales were of slaves. Emancipation Garden is near Market Square. It is named for Governor Peter von Scholten's 1848 emancipation of the slaves. The oldest tabernacle in the U.S. that has persisted in continuous use is on St.Thomas as well.
Additional interesting views of Caribbean culture can be found at Crown House on St. Thomas Government Hill. Still elegant, it was the home of the harbormaster and governor general of the West Indies when Denmark ruled the area. Seven Arches Museum, an additional bit of local Danish history, is a completely restored circa 1700 home, complete with slave billets. Owning St. Thomas property is clearly having a slice of history in a land engrossed in Caribbean culture.
Article Source: http://www.gardenepic.com
Garland Choate (GR) is a retired Airline Captain who now publishes articles from the USVI. Find many great articles about Caribbean Living and great luxury homes in paradise at www.StThomasLuxuryHomes.com
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Amazing Noni Plant – Morinda citrifolia Medical Miracle?
With all the hype and talk about this plant the past few months I thought I would address some of the myths and facts about this plant. Regardless if you believe this is a cure all fruit or a hoax, the plant and fruit itself is amazing. 
Some of the basic common names for this fruit are: noni fruit, Indian mulberry, Morinda, hog apple, meng koedoe, mora de la India, ruibarbo caribe, wild pine
The Scientific or Medical name is: Morinda citrifolia
First, let preface this entry with the following statement. There is no scientific evidence that noni juice is effective in preventing or treating cancer or any other disease in humans. Although animal and laboratory studies have shown some positive effects, human studies are just getting started. Research is also going on to isolate various compounds found in the noni plant so that further testing can be done to find out if they may be useful in humans. Proponents claim that the noni fruit and its juice can be used to treat cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV, rheumatism, psoriasis, allergies, infection, and inflammation. Some believe that the fruit can relieve sinus infections, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, sprains, injuries, depression, senility, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, addiction, colds, flu, and headaches. It is further claimed that the juice can heal scratches on the cornea of the eye. There is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
In saying this, many countries have been using this plant for centuries for holistic treatments and cures. In India, proponents use noni as a remedy for asthma and dysentery, and folk healers in the Pacific islands use it for many types of illness. In the United States, some noni juice distributors promote it as a general tonic, stress reliever, facial and body cleanser, and a dietary and nutritional supplement.
The Noni plant is a tropical evergreen tree that grows to about 10 feet tall in Tahiti, Pacific Islands, Asia, Australia, South America, Philippines, Caribbean and Southern States of the United States of America.
The history of the Noni plant is also unique. It is assumed to have originated in Asia and was distributed throughout the Pacific Islands by natural and man-made means. About 2000 years ago, ancient people of French Polynesia brought the Noni plant with them as a source of food and medicine, so it is assumed, when the colonized the islands around them. Even Captain James Cook in the 1700’s wrote and observed the fruit was consumed in Tahiti and other small islands. It seems other publications in Fiji, Roratango, Australia, India, Roratango and the Philippines were eaten and used for medical purposes. The roots and bark of the Noni plant were scraped and pounded to form a yellow and red dye used to color clothes and clothing, and the leaves, bark and fruit were used for many different ailments.
No part of this plant seemed to go wasted, and is used as some form of medicine or food. Witch doctors and healers use the Noni leaves as bandages for wounds helping the healing to take place faster. Green fruits are crushed and the juice extracted as a remedy for lesions or sores. Root and bark is used to treat inflammation and infections. Each country had their own unique way of using this amazing plant for the people’s needs and wants. Stories of fevers, skin disease, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal issues, menstrual and urinary problems, diabetes and venereal diseases are just a few of the ailments that this fruit is said to cure.
Here is a small list of traditional uses that these countries use and claim.
Plant Part Used - Traditional Medical Use
Stem - Jaundice, hypertension
Leaves, flowers, fruit, bark - Eye conditions, skin wounds, abscesses, gum and throat disease, respiratory ailments, constipation, fever, laxative
Fruit - Lumbago, asthma, dysentery (Indochina), head lice (Hawaii), wound poultice, broken bones, sores or scabs, sore throat, peeling and cracking of toes and feet, cuts, wounds, abscesses, mouth and gum infections, toothaches, appetite and brain stimulant food, boils, carbuncles, tuberculosis, sprains, deep bruises, rheumatism, stomach ulcers, hypertension, Philippines this is used for acne and skin problems.
Leaves - Relieves cough, nausea, colic (Malaysia), tuberculosis, sprains, deep bruising, rheumatism, bone fractures, dislocations, hypertension, stomach ache, diabetes, loss of appetite, urinary tract ailments, abdominal swelling, hernias, vitamin A deficiency
Stem - Jaundice, hypertension
Seed - Scalp insecticide, insect repellant
Fruit juice - Regulate menstrual flow, urinary tract problems, arthritis
Flowers - Sties
Modern Uses of Noni - ADD/ADHD, addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, brain problems, burns, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive problems, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, gout, hypertension, immune deficiency, infection, inflammation, jet lag, multiple sclerosis, muscle and joint pain, polio, rheumatism, severed fingers, sinus, veterinary medicine.
The smell and taste of this plant is sometimes overwhelming, however the uses and medicinal value surely overcomes this distaste. The juice can be mixed with other juices to hide the taste and smell.
The plant itself grows well in almost any soil condition including sandy or rocky soil. The areas though, it seems to grow the best are on the volcanic mountain areas of the Pacific Islands. The flowers are small and white, and grow from the structure of the plant. It would seem the nectar is preferred by other honey eating insects. It will bloom year around when conditions are right. The fruit are 3-8 inches in length. The fruit starts our green then turns light yellow or even white when it ripens. The fruit is edible but again have a horrific smell and taste. Grows well in a container, seems to tolerate shade and will bear large amounts of fruit in a pot. If kept indoors the flowers must be hand pollinated for fruit. This plant can NOT take cold temps below 55F, so you must protect it during the winter. If it goes below 55 but stays about 32 the leaves fall of but the roots stay alive and the plant will grow once the weather turns warm and will still fruit the same year. We water ours once a day, but this is not necessary. We have an automatic water system for our plants to help the growing process.
See our other health plant blogs.