That there is a cholera outbreak in the country is no longer news. Let us educate ourselves a little about cholera. A bacterium called Vibrio cholerae causes cholera infection. Contaminated water supplies are the main source of cholera infection. You need to take some safety precautions. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, drink only safe water, eat food that is completely cooked and hot, and wash uncooked foods properly. Ensure proper disposal of human waste and garbage, and avoid close contact with infected individuals.
At the beginning of the year, one of my readers in America contacted me that he needed aloe vera plants in large quantities to plant on his farm here in Nigeria. It was difficult getting it in large quantities. At some point, I remembered that my father once gave me a book that was written by one of his contemporaries who plants aloe vera.
I told my father about this and he made a promise to link me up with the man. That was not all, he told me how this man, who also doubles as a medical doctor uses herbs to treat his patients. Hearing this, I became extremely eager to meet that medical doctor who treats with herbs.
So, sometime in May, my father sent me an invite that read “valedictory lecture/ 70th birthday celebration of Prof. Oyeku Akibu Oyelami, valedictory lecture title: From Grace to Green Revolution: the Odyssey of a Medical Professor Using Herbs to Heal”. And I said to myself that at last, I was getting close to meeting the man I had been seeking.
Help me welcome Prof. Oyeku Akibu Oyelami into our midst. When I spoke with him on the phone, I said, “See me as your student, sir”. As of now, we will be tapping from his wealth of knowledge. I have a copy of his valedictory speech with me, if you are interested, please, let me know.
I wish to thank everyone who has called to ask for Noni plant seedlings to be planted in their homes. I have always wished that we all have orchards in our homes, and that wish is gradually coming to a reality.
During the week, a reader told me the price of the bottle of Noni he bought, and I almost screamed. I never knew it was this pricey. Well, the Noni juice I have been talking about is not the store-bought one but the homemade juice. While Noni itself is low in sugar, it is common for manufacturers to mix the juice with other types of fruit and add a high amount of sugar to make it taste better.
Noni leaves can be eaten cooked. They may be blanched or stir-fried. To prepare them for use, strip them from their stems. Roll them up and cut them into strips. The fruits can be dried and you can use them for making tea. To make the tea, pour boiled water and your dried and washed fruits. The same goes for the leaves.
Noni fruit seed oil is renowned for its rich antioxidant content which helps combat oxidative stress and protect the skin from premature aging. Its essential fatty acids contribute to a supple and hydrated complexion, while its vitamins A and C enhance the skin’s vitality and radiance.
To make noni juice, choose fully ripe Noni fruits (when the fruit is tender and has a translucent yellow colour, it is ripe. If your noni fruit is hard and a green or white colour, it is not ripe yet). Thoroughly wash the fruits, cut into small pieces, and place them in a blender or food processor. Sieve it. It is advisable to refrigerate leftover juice to maintain its freshness and extend its shelf life.
You can also ferment your Noni fruit. Wash your ripe fruits, dry them, and store them in a glass jar, stainless steel, or food-grade plastic. Place the jar of fruit in a sunny spot in your house such as near a window that gets direct sunlight for 4 to 12 weeks. You can start taking the juice coming out of the fruits at 4 weeks.
Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj, a dermatologist says “Noni juice is a powerhouse of antioxidants and works as a great moisturiser if applied on the skin”. It naturally replenishes and repairs your skin. So, forget about those dry, patchy skin and say hello to healthy hydrated skin”
“I would suggest noni juice if you’re looking for a natural way to support your bones and potentially protect your hearing. Noni juice might have some unexpected perks! In a study done among post-menopausal women, those who drank noni juice showed a possible increase in bone resorption (which can help with osteoporosis) and also experienced less hearing loss. Plus, their mental health and overall quality of life improved” says Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S.
“In my opinion, sipping on some noni juice might help you go that extra mile or power through your workout with more energy. Human intervention studies have shown that noni juice may have a surprising benefit—it could boost physical endurance!” says Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
A study titled Wound-healing activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice on diabetes-induced rats by
B S Nayak et al demonstrate that the juice of Morinda citrifolia fruit significantly reduces blood sugar levels and hastens wound healing in diabetic rats.
A study titled Effects of noni fruit and fermented noni juice against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice by Min Guo et al concludes that fresh noni fruit had higher antioxidant capacities than fermented noni juice. However, fermented noni juice had a more comprehensive preventive effect on acute liver injury induced by alcohol, based on the measurements of markers of hepatic function and structural integrity. These findings highlight the potential application of noni juice as a hepatoprotective candidate.
Let us see more benefits of Noni juice:
- Relieves arthritis
- Helps in weight management
- Supports heart health
- Hydrates the skin and reduces skin inflammation
- May reduce cellular damage from tobacco smoke
- It has anti-cancer properties
- It strengthens bones.
- May improve endurance during exercise
Although Noni juice has hepatoprotective (protects the liver) potentials, in 2005, a few cases of liver toxicity were reported in people consuming Noni juice. The European Food Safety Authority then re-evaluated the fruit, concluding that noni juice alone did not cause these effects. In 2009, EFSA issued another statement confirming the safety of noni juice for the general population. However, EFSA experts did report that some individuals may have a particular sensitivity to liver toxicity effects.
People with chronic kidney disease or kidney failure may want to avoid noni juice as it is high in potassium and may lead to unsafe levels of this compound in the blood. This can be a problem for people with kidney disease because their kidneys may not be able to remove all of the potassium buildup.
Taking noni along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much noni juice if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.