beauty
The Power of Green
You've fallen in love with Tahitian Noni International's noni leaf products since their initial product launch. But have you ever considered what specific ingredients make them effective? Learn how the investigation has only begun on the noni leaf and its topical modern benefits.
By Erin Hallmark
Leaves are not commonly recognized as agents
of health and well being, but the ancient Tahitians were in tune with nature and knew its secrets. For centuries Tahitians and Polynesians have been using the noni leaf to revitalize and soothe the body.
Afa Palu, one of Tahitian Noni International's research scientists and molecular biologists, is no stranger to the benefits of noni and has personally felt its positive effects. "My mother was a Tongan traditional healer, like her mothers before her," he says. "I started collecting plants including noni with my mother and grandmother when I was about six years old. I used the noni leaf for all types of topical applications for 36 years before I started working for TNI."
Noni Leaf Research
The modern benefits of the noni leaf were brought to light in many phases, beginning with initial research in 2001 by Dr. Jonel Saludes, a chemistry professor from the University of San Agustin, Philippines, who validated that the noni leaf contained beneficial properties.I Dr. Saludes' research awakened the world to the benefits of noni, and other scientists followed in the years to come, all keenly interested in studying the leaf of the noni tree.
Palu played an important role in understanding the properties of the noni leaf and its manufacturing process. He used the results of his master's thesis to help find a way to clarify the lab's initial shipment of noni leaf juice, which was full of fiber and other materials. Palu reflects, "I put the juice into a micro-centrifuge, a machine that separates substances of different densities, and centrifuged it for two minutes to separate the juice into a clear fraction on the top and precipitates at the bottom without using chemicals." Both top and bottom fractions contained properties that help protect the body, such as antioxidants.II
TNI's TePoemä® line is the only skin solution available to defend against micro-swelling with the powers of noni leaf and help return skin to its ideal condition.
Afa Palu's research not only helped clarify the lab's initial shipment of noni leaf juice and helped discover its healthful properties, but also contributed to modifications in the current noni leaf manufacturing process.
Findings Support Topical Use
Research has proven the noni leaf to be beneficial for topical use and protecting the skin against harmful, outside irritants such as pollution and ultra-violet radiation. Each time skin comes in contact with an irritant, it tries to protect itself through a process called micro-swelling, the most obvious signs of which include puffy eyes, sunburn, and lines and wrinkles in the skin.
Leaf Treatment Processes
Tahitian Noni International uses three different processes
to treat the leaf.
1. The dry roasted noni leaf is created through a method that dries the noni leaves perfectly without destroying the benefits of the leaf to create a perfect tea.
2. The noni leaf extract results from using chemicals to isolate the active fraction from the noni leaves that are responsible for the beneficial effects of noni. This process results in a highly potent antioxidant used to combat micro-swelling in TePoemä® products.
3. The freeze-dried noni leaf is a new ingredient used in Tahiti Trim® Plan 40® Cleanse Tea and Tahitian Noni Café™ menu items. It is a type of "instant tea" technology.
Palu's main research discovered that the noni leaf helps protect against skin discomforts such as dryness, distress, and micro-swelling.III These skin discomforts can now be alleviated with the properties of the noni leaf. Furthermore, studies have also shown that the extract and juice from the noni leaf help protect against micro-swelling; it also subtly rejuvenates the appearance of not-so-perfect skin and helps visibly improve the appearance of blemished skin.
Additionally, further research by scientists has shown that newly discovered compounds in noni leaves are rich in antioxidantsIV: ingredient substances that can protect the skin against the effects of the environment which help protect cells and tissue from free radical damage. These effects help address skin issues that may result from exposure to sunlight and other environmental pollutants.
Continuing Research
Afa will continue to dedicate his time and research to the study of noni. "My ancestors have been using noni for centuries with only stories and results as proof of its effectiveness. Today, however, scientists across the world are confirming what my Polynesian ancestors have known for thousands of years. Benefits have been discovered, but there are many more yet to be discovered by our company since we are devoting five days a week, every week of the month throughout the year, to study noni and nothing else."
IJonel P. Saludes, Mary J. Garson, Scott G. Franzblau, and Alicia M. Aguinaldo, "Antitubercular constituents from the hexane fraction of Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Rubiaceae)." Phytother Res. 16 (Nov 2002): 683-5.
IIBing-Nan Zhou, Afa K. Palu, Chen Su, Brett J. West, Claude Jarakae Jensen, and Stephen Story, TNI Patent pending.
IIIChen Su, Afa K. Palu et al., noni leaf extracts inhibit 5-LOX and COX-2, which increase wound healing closure as an agonists of Adenosine A2A receptor and PDGF receptors. TNI patent pending.
IV Z. M. Zin, A. Abdul-Hamid, and A. Osman, "Antioxidative activity of extracts from Mengkudu (Morinda citrifolia L.) root, fruit, and leaf." Journal of Food Chemistry 78, vol. 2 (2002): 227-231.
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