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The noni plant (Morinda citrifolia) is a shrublike tree that grows up to thirty feet tall. It is indigenous to Polynesian Islands, Australia and parts of Asia. [1]
Noni develops white, tubular flowers; and green/yellow/white, pebble-surfaced fruits. When the fruit is ripe, it is said to smell like bad cheese. Many people find the smell unpleasant. [1]
All parts of the noni plant have been used for many centuries to as traditional medicine remedies for the amelioration of health complaints. There has been little human research completed on noni to date, however preliminary evidence seems promising in several areas. [1]
Noni is recommended by some herbalists for conditions including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, AIDS, and many others.
This article reviews what scientists have learned about noni’s constituents and how they seem to work inside the body. Noni health benefits, safety, dosages, side effects and interactions will also be looked at.
Immune Function
Skin Health
Well-Being- Supports healthy immune system
- Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory effects
- Digestive and urinary teact health
Top Noni Products* ❯Noni Plant Description
Noni is known around the world by more than one hundred different names. Some of these include Cheese Fruit, Vomit Fruit, Beach Mulberry, Indian Mulberry, Great Morinda, Mora de la India, Hog Apple, Ruibarbo Caribe and Wu Ning. [3]
Noni fruit starts out green, and then turns yellow, and finally near-white as it matures. It grows between 4-7 inches in ovoid length. [2]
According to Phytochemicals, the noni plant: [2]
- Produces between 8.8-17.6 pounds of fruit every month after reaching maturity;
- Develops a straight trunk; and large, simple, deep-veined leaves;
- Is now cultivated throughout the tropics, and widely naturalized;
- Is tolerant of drought, saline soil and a variety of habitats;
- Produces ovoid yellow fruits of up to 12 cm in diameter;
- Grows on rocky/sandy shorelines, and in shady forests;
- Is a member of the coffee family: Rubiaceae;
- Reaches maturity in about 18 months;
- Often grows in lava flow areas;
See separate articles for Ba Ji Tian, White Mulberry and Black Mulberry.
Uses for Noni Extracts
Different noni plant parts have been used in Polynesia for more than 2000 years as food and medicine.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states, “Many parts of the plant, including the roots, stem, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit, are used medicinally.” [3]
The uses listed below are based on traditional medicine; this natural supplement has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of any medical conditions.
Some traditional medicinal uses for noni fruit include helping to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, chronic inflammation, tumors, burns, pain and aches.
Noni fruit jurice is also used to inhibit the effects of aging – and to combat viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. [1]
Other traditional uses for noni fruit include helping to improve asthma, broken bones, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, eye ailments, seizures, anxiety and depression. Fresh-squeezed noni juice is used for cancer. [1]
Noni dried leaf is used topically for burns, infection, inflammation and children’s chest colds. The dried leaf is used internally for boils, inflamed gums, arthritic pain and pleurisy. [1]
Fresh leaf of noni is used topically for burns; and orally for bacterial infections, inflammation, hemorrhage and fever. [1]
Noni root is used for fever, oral ulcerations, and reducing cancerous swellings. [1]
Noni has been used extensively for numerous purposes in Samoan medicine, and remains a popular natural medicine in the Hawaiian Islands. [1]
Noni bark is used for treating cough, stomach ailments, bacterial infections – and diarrhea in children.
Noni flowers are used for styes, conjunctivitis, irritated eyes, ocular inflammation, and coughs. [1]
Aside from those listed above, NMCD lists dozens of other uses for noni – including helping to improve digestion, menstruation, cataracts, smallpox, migraine headache, atherosclerosis, AIDS and drug addiction. [3]
NMCD reports, “Noni’s most common traditional use is topical. Noni roots and bark have been used to make a red or yellow dye for clothing. Noni parts have also been used to make tools and firewood.” [3]
It is important to understand that many uses for noni plant parts have not been substantiated by clinical research. Noni uses are based on tradition, word-of-mouth and other nonscientific bases.
According to the NMCD, “The FDA has issued multiple warnings to noni manufacturers about unsubstantiated claims.”
How does Noni Work Inside the Body?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that few studies have examined noni’s biological effects in humans.
In laboratory research (in vitro cell culture studies), noni has demonstrated antioxidant, tumor-fighting and immune-stimulating effects. [4]
Results from preliminary research suggest that noni might be beneficial for various chronic health conditions. However, reliable human research is not available currently. [4]
Some of the primary bioactive compounds in noni include: [3]
- Anthraquinones;
- Damnacanthal;
- Octanoic acid;
- Caproic acid;
- Ursolic acid;
- Terpenoids;
- Scopoletin;
- Rutin;
Noni also contains vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), potassium, carotene, beta-sitosterol, flavone glycosides, linoleic acid, caproic acid, and other constituents. [3]
Some preliminary human research suggests that noni can help to: [3]
- Reduce an inflammatory biomarker called hs-CRP (high-sensitive C-reactive protein);
- Treat most individuals infected with leishmanial parasites;
- Provide some degree of antioxidant protection;
- Reduce pain in some patients with cancer;
- Lower blood pressure;
Noni Health Benefits
NMCD rates effectiveness of herbs and supplements in specific health conditions. Each substance can be rated Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective – or Insufficient Reliable Evidence to Rate.
There is not currently enough reliable evidence to rate noni’s effectiveness in helping to treat or prevent any health condition. The following are some of the conditions noni is currently being studied in:
Cancer:
Some preliminary human studies suggest that 6-8 grams noni each day might improve fatigue, pain and physical function in advanced cancer patients. However, lower and higher daily dosages do not seem to improve the symptoms whatsoever. [3]
Concerning noni’s possible anticancer effects, NMCD states, “Other very preliminary research suggests that noni may inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce cell death, and inhibit the formation of DNA adducts.” [3]
More research is needed to understand noni’s proposed anticancer effects in humans.
Osteoarthritis:
Preliminary clinical research suggests that 3 oz per day of a noni juice product, called Tahitian Noni Juice, for 90 days improves life quality markers in people with knee/hip osteoarthritis, including: [3]
- Ability to work and do household tasks;
- Social activity;
- Joint function;
- Tension level;
- Mood;
However, it is not clear if these results were due to a placebo effect. More research is needed to understand how noni might improve osteoarthritis symptoms, or life quality of osteoarthritis patients. [3]
Exercise performance:
NMCD states, “Preliminary clinical research suggests that drinking 100 mL of juice containing 89% pureed noni in grapefruit and blackberry juices for 21 days can increase exercise endurance by approximately 10% to 21% in distance runners compared with pretreatment.” [3]
More research is needed to determine if noni can help to improve athletic performance otherwise.
Hypertension:
In one preliminary clinical study, drinking 4 ounces of Tahitian Noni Juice each day for 30 days seemed to reduce blood pressure. In patients with hypertension, this treatment apparently lowered blood pressure by about 8%, compared to baseline levels. [3]
More research is needed to confirm whether noni can lower blood pressure.
Leishmania Lesions:
In a preliminary clinical study, a noni ointment demonstrated potency for improving symptoms of skin-based leishmaniasis; an infection caused by Leishmania parasites. Good-to-excellent responses were reported in 4 out of 5 patients. [3]
Further research is necessary to be sure that noni is safe and effective for this purpose.
According to NMCD, there are no health conditions that noni has been proven effective in. Large-scale, randomized, placebo-controlled and blinded clinical trials are needed to determine noni’s efficacies, if any, in humans.
Talk with your doctor about any intended use you have in mind for taking a noni supplement.
Noni Supplements Review
Noni plant part supplements are available in capsule, tablet, liquid extract, tincture and other forms.
NMCD reports that there are currently more than 300 different dietary supplement products on the market that contain noni. [3]
Pay attention to product labels to see which noni plant parts are used, and their amounts. Look for non-genetically modified, organic and toxin-free products from trusted manufacturers.
Noni Dosage
There are no typical dosages for natural plant medicines like noni. However, NMCD reports the following adult oral doses that have been used in some studies: [3]
- Twice daily 15 mL noni juice, with physiotherapy, for 4 weeks for cervical spondylosis;
- 100 mL Tahitian Noni Juice, daily for 21 days for improving exercise performance;
- 6-8 g/day dehydrated noni fruit, for 60 days on an empty stomach for cancer;
- 600 mg dried noni fruit extract for postoperative nausea and vomiting;
- 120 mL Tahitian Noni Juice, daily for 30 days for hypertension;
- 90 mL Tahitian Noni Juice, daily for 90 days for osteoarthritis;
A 1% noni stem extract ointment has been applied 3 times daily for 42 days for leishmania lesions. [3]
Most available research on noni’s clinical effects have used Tahitian Noni Juice; a product made with 89% pureed noni, mixed in blackberry and grapefruit juices. [3]
One animal study examined the toxicity of Tahitian Noni Juice. No side effects were noted for 14 days after administering a dose of fifteen thousand mg per kg of bodyweight. [3]
In another animal study, chronic dosing for 13 weeks by gavage (injected into stomach) with up to 8 mL/kg caused no side effects. [3]
In human studies, dehydrated noni fruit was well-tolerated in 4 divided daily doses totaling 12 grams. [3]
Noni Safety and Side Effects
There are no significant side effects associated with appropriate use of noni.
NCCIH reports that there have been several cases of liver toxicity reported in people who had used Tahitian Noni Juice.
However, it is not clear if the noni product caused the toxicity or whether it was caused by something else. [4]
NMCD states, “It is unclear if potential contaminants or hypersensitivity reactions may be the cause of these events. More evidence is needed to determine if noni is the actual cause of liver toxicity in these cases.” [3]
NMCD states that noni is Possibly Safe when used orally or topically, and appropriately. No significant side effects have been reported in preliminary human studies. [3]
Noni is rated Possibly Unsafe when used orally during pregnancy. In the past, noni has been used as an abortifactant to induce miscarriage. Do not use noni if you are pregnant. [3]
There is not enough evidence to rate the safety of noni during lactation. Avoid using noni supplements if you are breastfeeding. [3]
There is not currently enough evidence to rate the safety or effectiveness of noni in children. [3]
Noni Drug and Disease Interactions
NCCIH states that noni is rich in potassium, containing 56 mEq/L on average. Those who have a need to restrict potassium intake should seek medical advice about using a noni supplement.
Using noni with potassium-sparing diuretics might contribute to hyperkalemia (potassium surplus). [4]
Using noni with ACEIs (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) might also increase potassium levels and increase the risk for hyperkalemia. [3]
Be careful using noni supplements along with ACEIs like benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik). [3]
Using noni with ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) may also increase potassium levels. Use extra caution mixing noni products with ARBs like losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), irbesartan (Avapro), candesartan (Atacand), telmisartan (Micardis), and eprosartan (Teveten). [3]
Some evidence shows that noni fruit juice lowers blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
Be careful using noni along with antihypertensive drugs like captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), and furosemide (Lasix). [3]
Be careful using noni supplements along with drugs that might cause hepatotoxicity – like acetaminophen (Tylenol), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), and many others. [3]
Use caution if combining noni with other herbs with hypotensive potentials – including andrographis, casein peptides, cat’s claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, stinging nettle, theanine. [3]
Use caution mixing noni with herbs and supplements that might cause liver damage. Some of these include androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, fo-ti, germander, kava, niacin, pennyroyal oil, and red yeast. [3]
Noni has not been shown to interact with other foods. However, it may cause false readings on laboratory tests that measure liver function or urine color. [3]
Do not use noni without your doctor’s permission if you have liver disease, hyperkalemia or chronic renal (kidney) insufficiency. [3]
As with many other natural medicines, you should stop using noni supplements at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgeries. [3]
Article last updated on: July 20th, 2018 by Nootriment