Noni Fruit
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Noni Fruit NONI FRUIT  
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Botanical:   Morinda citrifolia
Family:   Rubiaceae (madder)
Other common names:  Morinda, Indian Mulberry, Awl Tree, Painkiller Tree, Polynesian Bush Fruit, Nonu, Cheesefruit, Lada, Nono, Och Plant, Hog Apple, Caribe, Mora de la India, Wild Pine, Menkoedoe, Mengkudu

Rich in vitamin C, Noni Fruit was used for thousands of years in the South Pacific as a tonic that helps to strengthen the immune system and supports the entire body by flushing toxins from the kidneys.  Now, although debate continues, many people claim that it helps a wide range of symptoms, including poor digestion, high blood pressure, gout and respiratory problems.


In ancient times, it is said that the inhabitants of what is now Tahiti traveled in outriggers for vast distances, carrying sacred plants from which to form their newfound paradise.  One of these plants was the Noni, which they treasured as a gift from the gods, and from which they benefited, using all parts of the plant (fruit, leaves and seeds).  It became a pillar of the Tahitian culture that was used to sustain life and restore lost balance.  The earliest reference to Noni's use as a medicine date back several thousand years to India's Sanskrit writings when it was included in Ayurvedic medicine (the ancient medical system of India).  Noni Fruit was first mentioned in Chinese medical literature during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 23) as a tonic and warming herb that acts mainly on kidney energy.  The roots (ba ji ), in combinations, were used to reduce toxicity and have an astringent property, and the fruits were eaten and used in curry.  Noni is a fleshy, yellowish-white fruit and comes from an evergreen shrub or bush that may grow to heights of fifteen to twenty feet.  There are two species:  The South Pacific citrifolia is native to Malaysia, Australia and Polynesia, and officinalis (called Ba Ji Tian, and commonly used in Chinese medicine) is native to India and China and grows in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia.  The Noni tree bears fruit all year round, and in its raw form, the fruit smells and tastes foul.  It thrives in mineral-rich volcanic ash, most notably the Hawaiian Islands and Tahiti.  Noni Fruit is a rich source of vitamin C and also includes alkaloids, minerals and other nutrients.  For thousands of years Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)practitioners prescribed Noni for women who suffered cold or as an herbal painkiller for pain in the back or pelvic region, as well as irregular menstrual periods.  Among the many ailments that Noni was thought to have helped were diarrhea, dysentery, poor sexual function and lack of energy, and there are currently many claims as to Noni's exceptional health benefits as a cure-all.  Although Noni was once used medicinally more than any other plant in the South Pacific, its proven benefits in the West are still open to further research and debate.  Although many of the beneficial effects of M. citrifolia are unsubstantiated, in vitro and animal studies suggest that Noni plant extracts have antifungal, antitumor and immunomodulatory properties.  In addition, it also appears to inhibit low-density-lipoprotein oxidation and has been suggested for use in preventing arteriosclerosis.  Growing in bountiful volcanic soil, Noni is considered an herb rich in potassium, but also includes other minerals, including sodium, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorous.  Other constituents in Noni include fat, protein, carbohydrate, glucose, fructose, galactose, rutin, glycosides ( 6-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose, asperulosidic acid), ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, beta-carotene, anthraquinones (damnacanthal), xeronine, limonene, scopoletin, hexanol, aucubin, eugenol and acetic, benzoic, caproic-, caprylic-, oleic, linoleic- and other acids.

Beneficial Uses:
The rich vitamin C content in Noni helps to boost the immune system.  Glycosides and other constituents isolated from the fruits and leaves have demonstrated antioxidant effects and provide natural antioxidants that work at the cellular level to support a healthy immune system, helping to ward off many ailments and to speed the recovery from colds and flu.

Noni Fruit is said to contain a compound alkaloid called "proxeronine," which is believed to be the precursor to a recent alkaloid discovery called xeronine.  Alkaloids are said to be responsible for much of the communication that occurs biochemically in the body, and xeronine may be responsible for activating dormant enzymes and supporting healthy cell function.

Chinese scientists claim that Noni helps to treat depression.  They have identified the antidepressant compounds as two sugars, inulin and nystose, as well as succinic acid, a compound created from simple sugars.  The xeronine content in Noni appears to open brain receptor sites, allowing the brain to receive more of the hormone, endorphin, which brings the feeling of well-being.

Noni is said to be an anti-inflammatory herb, helping to reduce pain and swelling, clearing inflammatory conditions and strengthening weak ligaments.  Some people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and gout have reported reduced swelling and pain.  Remember, one of Noni Fruit's common names in the Orient is The Painkiller Tree.

Because Noni Fruit thrives in mineral-rich volcanic soil, its potassium content is substantial, and this mineral is vital for regular heartbeat, hormone secretion, muscle contraction and nervous system health.  The potassium helps to regulate the body's water balance and normalize heart rhythms and must be replaced if it is depleted by the use of diuretics, laxatives, excessive vomiting or strenuous exercise.

People who have difficulty urinating should avoid Noni Herbal Supplement.  Because it contains a significant quantity of potassium, it could be problematic for anyone with kidney dysfunction or who takes ACE inhibitors (Altace, Capoten, Lotensin, Prinivil, Vasotec) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, Micardis, Teveten).Thus far, proxeronine has not been a scientifically identified chemical compound, nor is there any reliable published clinical research on the health-enhancing effects of Noni, and there have been several published reports of people who suffered liver damage after drinking the juice.

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