Noni (morinda citrifolia)
Synopsis of noni
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is a small tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands. It produces a pungent, bumpy fruit with a strong odor and bitter taste—commonly referred to as "cheese fruit"—and is renowned in Polynesian, Hawaiian, Southeast Asian, and Indian traditional medicine for its wide-ranging therapeutic applications. Nearly all parts of the plant—fruit, leaves, roots, bark, and seeds—are used medicinally.
Noni fruit is rich in polysaccharides, flavonoids, iridoids (notably damnacanthal), scopoletin, terpenes, and anthraquinones. These compounds give noni its reported antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, immune-modulating, analgesic, and adaptogenic properties. It is also a natural source of vitamin C, potassium, and iron.
The fruit is most commonly consumed as noni juice, which has become popular worldwide for general wellness, immune support, and anti-aging purposes. Internally, noni is used to support joint health, digestion, skin conditions, blood pressure regulation, and detoxification. Some preliminary research also suggests noni may support mood balance, pain relief, and blood sugar regulation, although more robust human studies are needed.
Topically, noni leaf preparations and fruit pulp have been traditionally applied to wounds, inflammation, boils, ulcers, and joint pain, often wrapped or used in poultice form. The leaves themselves are used in warm compresses to ease menstrual cramps and muscle stiffness.
Modern research into noni has focused on its immune-modulating and cytoprotective effects, with some laboratory studies showing anticancer potential through inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and enhancement of macrophage activity. However, these findings are largely preliminary and not yet widely confirmed in human trials.
Historical Use
Noni has been revered for over 2,000 years in Polynesian and Hawaiian traditional medicine, where it is considered a sacred plant and daily health tonic. It is one of the original “canoe plants” brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers, and its traditional uses encompass fever, infections, digestive disorders, skin ailments, wounds, and menstrual problems. The fruit, though foul-smelling when ripe, was used both as medicine and famine food.
In Ayurveda, noni is referred to as ashyuka and has been used as a rejuvenative (rasayana) herb to increase longevity and vitality. It is used for liver disorders, skin diseases, constipation, and urinary tract issues.
In Southeast Asian and Micronesian systems, different parts of the noni plant were used for snakebites, malaria, toothaches, and tuberculosis, often in decoction or poultice form. The root bark, with its natural yellow dye, was also used for clothing and ceremonial textiles.
Today, noni is widely available in juice, capsule, extract, and powder form and marketed globally for immune support, inflammation relief, and energy enhancement, though traditional and scientific claims continue to outpace clinical evidence in some areas.
Noni is used for these health conditions
Arthritis (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Cancer (prevention) (Traditional)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Traditional)
Cholesterol (high) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Diabetes (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Hypertension (Traditional)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Stress (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
noni is used to support these body systems
Adrenal Glands (Traditional)
Arteries (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Brain (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Glandular System (Traditional)
Heart (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Joints (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Lymphatics (Traditional)
Nerves (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
