Hawaiian noni vs Tahitian Noni

It is time to put an end to the myth...

The truth is there is nothing mystical or magical about Tahitian Noni juice.

Noni fruit from Tahiti is the same as Noni fruit grown in Hawaii. Or Samoa, India, China, or Malaysia. Because merciful God has provided His children with more than one herbal medicine growing on a single tiny island in the middle of the Pacific ocean.

The real reason the so-called "unique chemical footprint" of Tahitian Noni differs from Hawaiian Noni is because Tahitian Noni juice is not pure Noni juice at all--but rather it is a watered-down concoction of several different juices, such as grape and raspberry, preservatives, and artificial flavors.

In fact, we would be concerned if our juice WERE the same as Tahitian Noni juice and we would be working around the clock to find out where the contamination had come from.

FACT: Tahitian Noni juice isn't even made the way people who live in Tahiti make it!

This is how Tahitian Noni juice is made and marketed in the United States:

The pulp or puree (not the juice) is shipped across thousands of miles in huge tankers, a voyage that takes many weeks. After arriving in the U.S., the juice is trucked to a manufacturing plant, where in order to restore the Noni pulp to a juice-like consistency, water and other fruit juices are added.

The final product is then slickly packaged and sold via a multi-level marketing organization, which makes it very expensive.

Sure, it's a great business, especially for those at the top of the pyramid, but it's not so good for you or me, or just the average person who really needs Noni juice for their health.

Noni Cancer Research

Anti Cancer Activity

Anti Cancer Activity of Morinda Citrifolia on Intraperitoneally Implanted Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Syngenic Mice A. Hirazumi, E. Furusawa, S.C. Chou & Y. Hokama Proc. West. Pharmacol. Soc. 37: 145-146 (1994).

This is a significant study by a team of researchers from the University of Hawaii led by Annie Hirazumi. Ms. Hirazumi became interested in the healing properties of Noni after two prior experiences. Her father once gave Noni juice to a sick friend; and later, she administered Noni juice to a pet dog who was dying. The dog miraculously recovered, and Ms Hirazumi became determined to learn more about this incredible fruit.

The study was conducted on live laboratory mice (type C57BL/6) specifically identified as being acutely receptive to Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells. The mice were injected with active cancer cells (LLC). Untreated, the mice died 9-12 days after injection due to advanced tumor growth. A second group of infected mice was treated with Noni juice in five separate daily treatments. This group demonstrated a significantly increased life span, from 105--123%, with 9 of 22 mice surviving more than 50 days. For verification purposes, the experiment was repeated with similar results. The research team concluded that Noni juice acts as an anti-cancer agent by indirectly enhancing the cancer host's immune system of macrophages and/or lymphocytes.

Induction of Normal Phenotypes in RAS transformed cells by Damnacanthal from Morinda Citrifolia.

T. Hiramatsu, M. Imoto, T Koyano, K. Umezawa Cancer Letters 73 (1993) 161

In this study, a team of Japanese researchers studied the effect of more than 500 extracts of tropical plants on K-ras NRK cells (a precursor to certain types of cancer). One particular compound, damnacanthal, found in Morinda Citrifolia (the scientific name for Noni), was shown to be an inhibitor of Ras function. During the course of the research Ras cells were seeded into 96 plates and incubated at 33 degrees centigrade for 24 hours. Noni plant extract was added and the cell morphology was examined every day for five days.

The Ras function was inhibited by the injected plant extract. This same compound has been found to inhibit the Epstein-Barr virus early-antigen activation. The extract from the Morinda Citrifolia was found to be most effective in inhibiting Ras function among the 500 tested extracts

Metastatic Prostate Cancer

This is from Steven M. Hall, M.D. who on January 7, 1997 reported the following results: "A 75 y/o male with metastatic prostate cancer, most recent PSA of 55, I added ... Noni to his conventional treatment regimen and within 2 weeks, his PSA was 1.1."2 (emphasis added) There is simply nothing else I am aware of that could possibly reduce Prostatic Specific Antigen from 55 (indicating uncontrolled cancer) to a normal 1.1, and DO IT IN JUST 2 WEEKS.

Phytochemicals Reverse Cancer

The power of phytochemicals to promote good health and control cancer is so impressive that the University of Illinois has created a whole new department with 63 scientists and professors to specialize in phytochemical research! Let me share with you some of the scientific findings leading to this major change in research.

Senior Science Advisor to the U.S. Public Health Service, Dr. D.L. Davis states, "Phytochemicals can take tumors and defuse them. They can turn off the proliferative process of cancer." At Ohio State University's Cancer Prevention Laboratory, Dr. Mark Morse and colleagues found that phytochemicals in broccoli known as sulforaphane could reduce esophegeal tumor incidence by as much as 40% and reduce the multiplication of such cancer cells by 90%. Dr. Paul Taladay working at John Hopkins Medical Institute has found that this same phytochemical protected animals from getting cancer even when exposed to cancer causing chemicals. According to Dr. Joseph Hotchkiss of Cornell University, the phytochemicals coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid are able to eliminate many cancer causing substances from the body. An epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, Dr. John Potter, told Newsweek Magazine, "At almost every step along the pathway to cancer, phytochemicals slow up or reverse the process." Most of these phytochemicals studied so far are found in ordinary vegetables and culinary herbs. The problem is that the amount in these foods is so low that only if you eat a lot of them for a long time will they give you protection. If you already have cancer, what you need is a plant that has these phytochemicals in large enough amounts to go right to work.

Noni Is A Treasure Chest Of Phytochemicals

When plant scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture studied the amazing Noni plant they quickly found the secret to its amazing health building power. It is endowed with a greater number and variety of health giving phytochemicals than just about any plant known. Dr. James A. Duke is one of the world's most highly respected scientific authorities on herbs and their phytochemical content. In his authoritative CRC Handbook on Phytochemicals he has listed 23 different phytochemicals found in Noni as well as 5 vitamins and 3 minerals. Research on Noni continues at an ever increasing pace with more of its phytochemicals being uncovered all the time.

IT IS THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF THESE PHYTOCHEMICALS THAT ARE PRODUCING THE WONDERFUL HEALTH BUILDING RESULTS DOCTORS AND PATIENTS ARE NOW SEEING AS A RESULT OF USING THIS AMAZING FRUIT! AS SAFE TO USE AS ANY FRUIT ON THE MARKET.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the Department of Agriculture maintain a list of plants that have no known harmful ingredients and which over the test of time with large numbers of people have proven themselves to be safe for human consumption by the general population. This is known as the GRAS list, and it stands for Generally Recognized As Safe.5 Based on the fact that after careful scientific analysis no harmful ingredients were found, and that the Hawaiian and Polynesian people have been using this health building herb without harm for thousands of years, NONI HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE.

How Noni Helps The Body Fight Off Cancer!

Researchers at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine introduced cells containing a strain of lung cancer known as Lewis Lung Carcinoma into a group of mice especially bred to be highly susceptible to this type of cancer. Within 9 to 12 days the mice which were given no Noni were all dead as a result of the growth of the tumor. However, another group of these same mice were given an extract of the Noni fruit on five different occasions. At the end of the 12 days when all the untreated mice were dead, those given the Noni were still alive and doing well! At the end of 24 days, the Noni treated mice were all still going strong, this was a 100% extension of life! Actually, 40% which is 9 out of the 22 mice given the Noni, survived for more than 50 days. This is a lifespan more than 4 times greater than the longest living mouse not receiving the Noni. This an incredible achievement! Now remember, these were not just any mice, these mice were specifically bred to succumb to this form of cancer. In this regard, they were "genetically doomed" to be cancer victims. Yet in spite of this, a simple Noni extract gave these mice as much as 4 times the life span of their untreated relatives.

Analgesic and Behavioral Effects of Morinda Citrifolia

C. Younos, A. Rolland, J. Fleurentin, M. Lanhers, R. Misslin, F. Mortier Planta Medica 56 (1990) 430-434

In this study, the team lead by French scientist Chafique Younos, tested the analgesic and sedative effects of extracts from the Morinda Citrifolia plant. They were aware of the traditional use of the plant as a general analgesic, and set out to determine if those claims were valid. The extract was shown to be non-toxic and did "show a significant, dose-related, central analgesic activity in the treated mice." This study included various experiments on the treated mice to determine the analgesic effect, if any, from the plant extracts of the Morinda Citrifolia (Noni). The conclusion of these researchers was that the extract did in fact demonstrate analgesic effects consistently in each experiment. The conclusion of this study included a simple statement from the authors: "These findings validate the traditional analgesic properties of this plant " The above represent only a sample of the research completed on the Morinda Citrifolia plant. The results are conclusive in each case in showing the validity of the traditional use of the Noni.

Noni health Benefits

Overview

Noni, Morinda citrifolia, has been used extensively in folk medicine by Polynesians for over 2,000 years. Noni is a traditional food and medicine in many tropical areas including the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, India, and the Philippines. Ancient Hawaiians used Noni fruit for both internal and topical applications. Noni is still used by the local population in Hawaii for diabetes, high blood pressure, heart health maintenance, abnormal growths, and other chronic disorders, though no controlled human clinical studies exist to support these uses.

But based on clinical practice and numerous animal studies, it is widely believed that the polysaccharide-rich substances found in Noni fruit juice attack abnormal cells and abnormal growths by stimulating body's immune system. In animal cancer studies, Noni juice treatments reduced the formation of abnormal cells in the heart, lungs, liver, and kidney and prolonged the life span of mice by more than 75%.

Medicinal Properties

Phytonutrients: Natural chemicals found in Noni juice that provide nourishment to cells, tissues, and organs, fight free radicals, ward off disease, and may even reverse the effects of aging and pollution. They are also believed to block the processes that lead to cancer. Learn more...

Polysaccharides: Important compounds that stimulate and modulate the immune system and its response to cancer. Profoundly influences anti-cancer activity on the molecular level.

Selenium: An important anti-oxidant and trace element found in Noni juice that preserves the skin's elasticity, thus slowing the aging process. Selenium also increases oxygen flow to the heart and may prevent blood clotting and hypertension.

Anthraquinones (Damnacanthol): Important antiseptic and anti-bacterial plant chemicals found in Noni juice. They have been shown in laboratory tests to kill pre-cancer cells, Lewis Lung carcinoma, and prevent DNA damage. It stimulates the immune response to cancer by activating the body's T-cells, or "Cancer Killers." T-cells are extremely important for people suffering from cancer, AIDS, or other diseases which compromise the body's immune systems.

Glycosides: Newly discovered compounds that prevent cancer and scavenge free radicals.

Scopoletin: A little-known, but hard-working chemical component of Noni juice with many wonderful health benefits. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It regulates serotonin, the body's "feel-good" hormone, which helps to ward off feelings of anxiety and depression, and may be why people who drink Noni juice often experience a sense of well-being. It is a vasodilator and lowers blood pressure. It binds to melatonin and helps to regulate sleep, hunger, and body temperature. As if all these were not enough, scopoletin is also an analgesic.

Terpene: Rejuvenates cells and rids the body of toxins.

Limonene: A bitter cancer-fighting compound commonly found in Noni juice and citrus fruits.

Adaptogen: An adaptogen is a substance that has a global balancing effect on all body systems. There are only 12 known adaptogens; of these 12, Noni Juice is said to be the "premiere" adaptogen.

Alkalinity: Tissues degrade and disease thrives in an acidic environment. Noni Juice promotes an alkaline body chemistry, the optimal state for good health.

Anti-Oxidant: Anti-oxidants, such as green tea, pycnogenol, and vitamin C, among others, are important in neutralizing "free radicals", or particles that cause DNA damage that can lead to cancer. Noni Juice has recently been found to be the most effective of all known anti-oxidants.

Low Glycemic Index: A 3:1 ratio of carbohydates to fiber in Noni Juice helps balance blood sugar levels.

Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Selective Cox II Inhibitor: Unlike typical pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, Noni Juice decreases pain and inflammation while protecting stomach, kidney, and liver cells.

Humectant: As a humectant, Noni Juice helps tissues retain moisture.

Immuno-modulator: Noni Juice intelligently supports the immune system, not just by boosting it, but by regulating it to suppress the allergic and auto-allergic responses.

How to make noni juice

Making Noni juice is so simple and easy, we don't know why everyone doesn't do it this way. While Noni profiteers (those who inflate the price of inferior watered-down products) claim proprietory ownership, special formulas, or unique manufacturing processes, we here at NoniConnection continue to make pure Hawaiian Puna Noni juice in the simple, time-proven way of our ancestors.

The Noni plant grows all over Hawaii. Many Hawaiian families have a Noni tree growing right in their yard, and make their own Noni juice at home. In Hawaii, making Noni juice is not a big secret, and it's not even very complicated.

Here's how it's done: Pick the fruit when it is fully ripe, but before it starts to turn white. Wash the fruits, then let them dry outside in the sun. Within hours the fruits will turn translucent, the flesh will soften and you will begin to smell the characteristically foul odor of Noni. That's when the fruit is ready to be packed into a sterile container.

We use huge, 250 gallon food-grade  fermentation tanks, but a large mayonnaise jar will work, too. Allow the fruit to ferment for 6 to 8 weeks. The longer the fruit ferments, the stronger it will taste, and the darker will be its color.

During this time, the juice begins to seep out naturally from the fruit. By the end of the aging period, the contents of the jar will look quite disgusting. Simply strain the juice from the pulp, and refrigerate. Then drink an ounce each day for optimum health and vitality!

There, we've shared our secret. Now anyone can make their own Noni juice and enjoy the wonderful health benefits of this gift of Nature.

Noni Fruit – What is Noni Fruit Juice?

Noni fruit juice products have generated a lot of interest in recent times, and there is a degree of mystery, misinformation and hype surrounding it that we wish to dispel. Many people ask “What is Noni fruit?” because it is certainly not something you get to see in the fruit & vegetable section at your local supermarket! Let us give you some brief facts about its history, source, utilisation and processing to expand your understanding of the Noni product.

    ►     History                                             ►    Properties   
    ►     The Tree                                           ►    Usage

    ►     Appearance                                      ►    Processing

 

 

Noni Fruit Juice History:

Because of the known medicinal benefits of Noni fruit, a high value was placed on Noni fruit by the early Polynesians. They have known about, and taken advantage of, the medicinal properties of Noni fruit juice for approximately two thousand years! 

 
Noni fruit seeds were transported throughout the South Pacific via native canoes during migrations, and trees were planted wherever the canoes landed – on Hawaii, Cook Islands, Tahiti etc.

 

The Noni Tree:

The Noni tree is quite unique! This tree is something special in the plant kingdom because it has no season, a property shared by only a handful of plants worldwide.

 
Noni trees produce fruit all year round on the same branch, and it is quite amazing to see buds, flowers, green and ripe, yellow Noni fruit on the same branch. When the ripe fruit are picked, the next green fruit will ripen and be ready for picking around 10 days later. The volume of juice from just one Noni tree over a 12 month period is huge.

 

Noni Fruit Appearance:                                         

Noni fruit are totally unique in appearance, and in their case a picture really is worth a thousand words! The fruit are not unlike little green hand grenades, but have the exact opposite effect – Noni will keep you alive, not harm you. As they ripen, the green Noni fruit undergo a colour change to yellow.

 

Other Properties:

 
Noni fruit and its pulp, have a distinctive cheesy-like smell, and it also has a slightly bitter taste. Isn’t it odd how many of the natural products that are so very good for us also have a bitter taste – e.g. Green Tea.

 

Noni Fruit Usage:

If Noni fruit are to be cooked, they are usually picked green, and a local Noni fruit recipe is used to make a type of stew. There is also a Noni fruit recipe for the famous Thai “Tom Yum” soup as well – apparently, Noni fruit are often cooked in Thailand

 

Processing Noni Fruit Juice:

 
Ripe Noni fruit are picked, inspected, washed and dried. Noni fruit start fermenting within hours of being picked. The fruit juice is produced by placing the ripe Noni fruit into traditional airtight fermenting barrels for a minimum of 20 days.

 

At the end of the 20 day fermenting period, the noni fruit and juice are processed through a low pressure wine press. The final product - pure Noni fruit juice - is dark reddish/brown in colour when ready for bottling.

 

Noni Fruit Juice - Summary:

 

Natives of the South Pacific Islands have prized the Noni tree, and the properties of the Noni fruit juice it produces, for many centuries. The Noni tree is distinctive in nature through its unique “year-round” fruit production. This fruit is definitely special, and we provide a wealth of information about the health benefits that may be accrued from it. Whilst it may have an unusual smell, and a bitter taste, those properties are quickly forgotten when you experience its benefits first-hand.

NONI FRUIT, Morinda citrifolia

Medicinally this odd looking fruit is said to cure everything from stonefish wounds to digestive upsets to far more serious disease. A decoction from the bark, leaves, roots and fruit can be drunk. When ripe or overripe the skin of the fruit becomes almost translucent and the flesh turns soft to develop an unpleasant odour. The odour has led to nickname of the 'starvation fruit' due to the fact that you would have to be starving to eat it as a fresh fruit.

How to Make Noni Juice Naturally

Noni juice is getting popular these days owing to its various health benefits. It is readily available in the market, but if you want to make it at home, here is all you should know before getting started.

Juices are the best way of providing essential nutrients to the body. People have various kinds of juices to supplement the required nutrients for growth and development. A fruit juice which has gained significant popularity is noni juice, obtained from noni fruit. Noni or Morinda citrifolia is also known as Grand Morinda (Vietnam), Cheese fruit (Australia), and Indian Mulberry (India). It is a tree native to Southeast Asia and Australasia (New Zealand, New Guinea, Australia and islands in the Pacific Ocean), belonging to family Rubiaceae and is cultivated throughout the tropical region. Juice is extracted from fruits of this tree which bears fruit throughout the year.

About Noni Juice
This juice is a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and fiber. It is also rich in vitamins like vitamin A and vitamin C, along with adequate amounts of iron and niacin. The best part of having this juice is that it is fat-free. The pulp of the fruit from which the juice is extracted does not have fatty content in it. This renders the juice very nutritious and fit for regular consumption to maintain a good and healthy body. With increased awareness of its benefits, many companies manufacture noni juice and sell it in the markets. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet regulated noni juice which means, there are no set guidelines for manufacturing and selling this product. Therefore, before buying a marketed juice, you must be sure of its genuineness. Due to lack of regulation on this product, many companies tend to label their product as 100% pure which might not be the case. To avoid these hassles, don't you think it is a good idea to learn how to make this juice at home and enjoy its benefits?

Picking the Fruit
Nothing can be better than having a noni tree in your backyard. And if you are the lucky one, there is no need to look for good quality fruits in the market. However, before harvesting the fruits, it is very essential to know when to pick them. For juice preparation, the best time to pick the fruit is when it is completely ripe. Ripe fruits have the maximum amount of fatty acids, polysaccharides, and proteins which increase its medicinal value. After harvesting, the fruits must be handled very carefully to retain their nutritious value.

If you do not have a noni tree, you can still make the juice by picking fruits from the market. But before buying, make sure the fruits are of good quality and ripe enough for juice extraction. Do not buy fruits which are unripe, but if you are incapable of finding ripe fruits, buy unripe ones and store them for a few days till they ripen and become fit for juice preparation.

Making Noni Juice Naturally
Once you have gathered good quality fruits, the next step is to make the juice. Approximately twenty pounds of fruit are used for making one gallon juice. Keeping this in mind, you can estimate how much fruit you will need to make your required quantity of juice. Once you have got the required quantity of the fruit, follow the steps given below to extract its juice.

#1. Wash the fruits properly to remove dust and dirt by dipping them in water and scrubbing them by hand. Do not damage fruits while washing, as it can affect their nutritional content. After washing, place fruits in open trays to facilitate air drying.

#2. Sterilize a glass or food-grade plastic container, whichever is available with you, to kill germs that may contaminate the juice. Place air-dried fruits in this container and close it tightly.

#3. Keep the fruit-laden container in sunlight to foster fermentation process. This procedure has to be followed religiously over two months for complete fermentation of fruit and juice. The initial juice exudes will be light-amber in color which will progressively turn dark with time.

#4. After two months of fermentation, the juice is ready to be separated from the pulp. Take a mesh filter and pour the fermented contents through it, to collect the juice in a clean glass bottle. Make sure that pulp and other debris are completely removed and do not become a part of the juice.

#5. The U.S. FDA has suggested that all juices should be pasteurized before consumption. This is not a difficult task and can be carried out easily. Boil water in a large container and let the temperature reach 180ºF. Place the juice container in boiling water for around 30 minutes to ensure destruction of harmful bacteria like E.coli, Salmonella, etc. Seal the juice bottle when it is slightly warm and keep it aside for cooling. When the bottle acquires room temperature, store it in the refrigerator and enjoy the refreshing juice as and when you feel like.

The benefits of noni juice are many, and that is why more and more people are looking forward to reap its benefits. Buying its juice from the market is easy, yet I feel, it would be really satisfying to enjoy handmade juice that is pure and highly nutritious.

Noni Juice Side Effects

Though juice of the noni fruit is used for various medicinal purposes, some side effects like headaches, breathing problems, rashes, and constipation are also associated with it. Let us look into the "not so good" effects, that the consumption of this juice might have on us.

Noni is a flowering plant, which is native to Asia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and the Pacific islands. Noni is scientifically known as Morinda citrifolia, and is also known by the common name Indian mulberry. Noni juice is derived from the fruit, and contains high levels of carbohydrates and low levels of fats. It is also a rich source of dietary fibers and helps in proper digestion. Noni juice is known to cure diseases and ailments, and therefore, has been used for decades by naturopaths and healers.

Noni juice has been constantly proved useful in curing many health problems such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, ulcer problems, digestion problems, etc. Moreover, it has been effective in improving the immune system and safeguarding the body from various diseases and infections. In many people, it has proved vital in improving their bodily functions, leading them towards a healthy life. It is on account of these numerous benefits that the side effects were either overlooked or not known by many. However, it is equally important to be aware of the ill effects, before consuming the juice of noni.

** It has not been scientifically proven that the juice of noni has helped in curing various diseases and ailments, however, regular users of noni juice vouch for its benefits.

Ill Effects of Noni Juice

Noni juice is normally believed to be a near-to-perfect natural remedy, with very few side effects. However, the side effects are observed only if one consumes noni juice in excess quantities or without consulting a doctor regarding its dosage and usage. Here are some noni side effects experienced by a few people.

Difficult for Diabetics

Noni juice has high levels of sugar, and like any other fruit juice with high sugar content, can prove to be dangerous for diabetics. A diabetic has to be very careful about his diet, and follow the instructions of the doctor carefully. Drinking the juice in moderation has not harmed anyone, however, one must consult the doctor before consumption.
Rise in Blood Pressure

Noni juice contains high levels of potassium. Potassium, as we know, is very important for proper functioning of the body, as it acts as an electrolyte, transports nutrients to cells and removes wastes. However, too much of anything is bad, and this is true for potassium as well. Drinking too much of noni juice can cause a spike in the blood pressure, leading to hazardous consequences. A person suffering from any disease of the kidneys must be very careful, as the disease makes him unable to excrete potassium, and the situation can get triggered due to the consumption of noni juice. A buildup of the mineral can even lead to heart attack.
Risky During Pregnancy

Consumption of noni juice can lead to miscarriage or other complications in a pregnant woman. It has been found out that noni juice was historically used for abortion. Some preparations of noni juice have been found to contain anthraquinone (a yellow-colored building block of dyes), which is known to discolor the urine and interfere in many tests.
Constipation

Another side effect of over-consumption of noni juice is constipation. However, it is also true that constipation can be caused due to the over-consumption of any juice. Constipation can further increase to the level of causing damage to the intestines, if not cured immediately.
Minor Side Effects

Apart from the above major side effects of noni juice, there are a few others that can be added to the list. It has been seen that most of the minor side effects wear off within 72 hours.

Headaches: Noni juice, when consumed in sufficient quantities, relieves headaches and migraine problems. However, an excessive intake might, in turn, result in a headache.

Coughing: In rare cases, prolonged intake of noni juice can develop cough problems. But, not much evidence is available in this regard.

Rashes on Skin: In some cases, skin rashes, accompanied by itching, has also been observed.

Breathing Problems: Some people have also reported to have suffered from breathing problems (difficulty in breathing or falling short of breath), due to the intake of noni juice.

Other Problems: Other commonly observed side effects of noni juice are joint pain, fatigue and tiredness, diarrhea, heavy periods in women, acne, bloating, gas problems, bad breath, and bad odor in urine.
Though noni brings with it a few side effects, we cannot deny the fact that it claims to have certain antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. It is also true that like any other drug or supplement, it needs to be consumed with precaution and under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner, who is well aware of your medical history. Though noni juice is unsuitable for many people, it has proved to be beneficial for many others.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

Trái Nhàu Lợi ích sức khỏe

Noni là kết quả của Morinda cây, trong đó có nguồn gốc ở khu vực Đông Nam Á đến Australia. Các Morinda là một cây cà phê của gia đình, và được gọi bằng tên khác nhau trong các phần khác nhau của thế giới. Một số tên gọi thông thường của cây này, Ấn Độ dâu, lớn ba kích, trái cây và pho mát bãi biển dâu. Cây này có thể đạt tới độ cao khoảng 12 feet. Trái cây noni là màu xanh lá cây trong màu sắc, nhưng cuối cùng trở thành màu xanh lá cây màu vàng khi chín. Nó có thể mất khoảng 3 tháng trên trung bình cho các loại trái cây noni để chín. Trái cây noni là ngày nay càng được sử dụng để thực hiện bổ sung dinh dưỡng, như họ được biết là cung cấp một số lợi ích sức khỏe. Bổ sung chủ yếu là có sẵn ở dạng nước ép noni. các lợi ích của trái cây Noni là gì? Những lợi ích sức khỏe rất nhiều trái cây noni có thể được chủ yếu là do thực tế là loại quả này chứa một số hóa chất thực vật như, terpenoid, rutin, octoanoic axit, axit ursolic, damnacanthal và acid caproic. Nó cũng chứa, scopoletin và proxeronine. Proxeronine tìm thấy trong trái cây noni được chuyển đổi thành xeronine bởi một enzyme được tìm thấy trong cơ thể con người, nếu quả noni được thực hiện trên một dạ dày trống rỗng. Hợp chất này, xeronine được cho là có nhiều lợi ích cho sức khỏe con người.

Trong y học cổ truyền, noni quả chủ yếu được sử dụng để giảm đau bụng kinh, nhiễm trùng đường tiết niệu và các vấn đề đường ruột.
Một thực tế quan trọng về lợi ích nước noni là nó có chứa các hợp chất kháng khuẩn, và do đó, nó có thể giúp kiểm soát sự phát triển của vi khuẩn như, salmonella và Helicobacter pylori. Hợp chất này, scopoletin tìm thấy trong noni cũng có thể giúp ức chế sự tăng trưởng của vi khuẩn Escherichia coli.
Trái cây noni là vô cùng giàu vitamin C và chất chống oxy hóa mạnh mẽ khác nhiều, có thể trung hòa các gốc tự do để bảo vệ các tế bào cơ thể và mô gây hại của họ.
Nhiều polysaccharides cũng có thể được tìm thấy trong trái cây và nước trái cây noni của nó, mà cũng có thể có kháng khuẩn, tính năng tăng áp và chống khối u miễn dịch.
Các scopoletin hợp chất tìm thấy trong noni có thể giúp hạ huyết áp và giảm viêm. Nó có thể làm giảm đau đầu và ngăn chặn sự phát triển quá mức của nấm trong cơ thể.
Nước ép Noni có thể chứng minh hiệu quả trong việc làm giảm mức độ cholesterol và triglyceride trong cơ thể là tốt.
Noni có tác dụng giảm đau, cũng như đặc tính kháng viêm, mà nó có thể giúp cung cấp cứu trợ trong điều kiện như thế, viêm khớp.
Bên cạnh đó, noni trái cây có thể bảo vệ gan khỏi các độc tố, làm tăng mức độ năng lượng, giúp đỡ để điều trị bệnh da như, mụn trứng cá, cải thiện tình trạng của da, điều trị loét dạ dày, giảm dị ứng và hen suyễn, và cung cấp một số bảo vệ chống lại ung thư .
 

Noni Fruit Health Benefits

Noni is the fruit of the Morinda citrifolia tree, which is native to the regions of Southeast Asia to Australia. The Morinda citrifolia is a tree of the coffee family, and is known by different names in different parts of the world. Some of the common names of this tree are, Indian mulberry, great morinda, cheese fruits and beach mulberry. This tree can reach a height of about 12 feet. Noni fruit is green in color, but eventually becomes yellowish green when ripened. It can take about 3 months on an average for the noni fruits to ripen. Noni fruits are nowadays increasingly used for making nutritional supplements, as they are known to provide several health benefits. The supplements are mainly available in the form of noni juice.

 

What are the Benefits of Noni Fruit?

The numerous health benefits of noni fruit can be mainly attributed to the fact that this fruit contains a number of phytochemicals such as, terpenoids, rutin, octoanoic acid, ursolic acid, damnacanthal and caproic acid. It also contains, scopoletin and proxeronine. Proxeronine found in noni fruit is converted into xeronine by an enzyme found in the human body, if the noni fruit is taken on an empty stomach. The compound, xeronine is believed to have several benefits for human health.

In the traditional medicine, noni fruit is mainly used for alleviating menstrual cramps, urinary tract infection and bowel problems.
An important fact about noni juice benefits is that it contains antibacterial compounds, and so, it can help to control the growth of bacteria like, salmonella and Helicobacter pylori. The compound, scopoletin found in noni can also help to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli.
Noni fruit is immensely rich in vitamin C and many other powerful antioxidants, which can neutralize the free radicals to protect the body cells and tissues from their harmful effects.
Several polysaccharides can also be found in noni fruit and its juice, which too can have antibacterial, immune boosting and anti-tumor properties.
The compound scopoletin found in noni can help to lower blood pressure and alleviate inflammation. It can relieve headaches and prevent the overgrowth of fungi in the body.
Noni juice may prove effective in lowering the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body as well.
Noni has analgesic, as well as anti-inflammatory properties, for which it can help to provide relief in conditions like, arthritis.
Apart from these, noni fruit can protect the liver from toxins, increase the level of energy, help to treat skin conditions like, acne, improve the condition of the skin, treat gastric ulcers, reduce allergies and asthma, and provide some protection against cancer.

Side Effects of Noni Fruit

Some of the possible side effects are a few gastrointestinal problems such as, stomachache, nausea and constipation or diarrhea. These side effects are usually experienced when a large amount of this fruit juice is consumed. Noni fruit contains a high level of potassium and so, people with hypokalemia should avoid this fruit. Apart from these, some other possible side effects of noni fruit and its juice are, cough, bloating and gas, headaches, skin rashes and heavy periods.

To sum up, noni can have several benefits for human health, if used judiciously. An excess consumption of this fruit can however, cause a number of side effects. So, it is essential to weigh both health benefits and side effects of this fruit, before considering taking it for therapeutic purposes. Moreover, one should always consult a physician or health care provider before taking any kind of nutritional and herbal supplementation.
 

By Chandramita Bora
Published: 11/23/2010

What is Hawaiian Noni?

Noni fruit grows on a small tree or shrub found mainly in the lush tropical island terrains of the Pacific islands. Noni has a long history and is considered one of the most significant ingredients in traditional medicines used by the Polynesian Kahunas, the healers of the islanders. The fruit of the Noni plant looks like a small, bumpy potato, green at first, turning to a yellowish white when ripe. People living on the islands in present day French Polynesia and Hawaii have used Noni for thousands of years. Noni’s journey to Hawaii is believed to have started 3,000 years ago from the Island of New Guinea Northward to the islands of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Marquesas Islands, and then towards the Tahitian Islands. In 400 A.D., Hawaii Loa, a Polynesian chief brought the multifunctional Noni fruit on the 2,400 mile journey from Tahiti to a newly discovered island chain that eventually took his name, Hawaii. Along with moving entire villages to new undiscovered islands, these explorers carried with them sacred plants necessary to sustain life during their journey, and for the future generations to come after them. These plants (called 'canoe plants') were essential to meet their needs for food, fiber, building materials, and medicine. Historically, Noni fruit was known as the "Queen" of all canoe plants for its healthful properties, and was essential for establishing new villages. The Pacific Islanders began using Noni in all their food preparations, making the Noni fruit the healthy foundation of their civilization as they established new villages across the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Traditionally, Noni has been used to treat numerous symptoms, such as joint pain, immune problems, colds, infection, digestive disorders, injuries and inflammation*. The ancient Polynesians also used Noni for food and dye for cloth, but mainly it was used for its medicinal properties. TRU NONI uses traditional Hawaiian organic framing methods to grow the Noni fruit in nutrient rich soil of the Hawaiian Islands. TRU NONI is made with only ripe Noni fruit hand picked made the old fashion Hawaiian way -- pure Noni juice with no fancy juice blends or water added, just the freshest Noni fruit, pressed and bottled in its purest form.

How to Make Noni Juice

Noni juice is easy to make as long as you have patience and a couple of months to spare. The potent fruit juice has long been held as a natural health remedy, and the antioxidants it contains are thought to help fight heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Other claims suggest that it can also help reduce chronic pain, boost energy, and battle obesity and indigestion. The high potassium levels in noni juice can lead to kidney damage, however, so it should only be consumed in small quantities.

Noni

Common Names: 

noni, morinda, Indian mulberry, hog apple, canary wood

Latin Name: 

Morinda citrifolia

© Steven Foster

On this page:

• What the Science Says
• Side Effects and Cautions
• Sources
• For More Information

Introduction

This fact sheet provides basic information about noni—common names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and resources for more information.

Noni is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows throughout the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, from Southeast Asia to Australia. Noni has a history of use as a topical preparation for joint pain and skin conditions. Today, noni fruit juice has folk uses as a general health tonic and for cancer and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The noni fruit is most commonly combined with other fruits (such as grape) to make juice. Preparations of the fruit and leaves are also available in capsules, tablets, and teas.

Top

What the Science Says

• In laboratory research, noni has shown antioxidant, immune-stimulating, and tumor-fighting properties. These results suggest that noni may warrant further study for conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, noni has not been well studied in people for any health condition.
• NCCAM-funded research includes a study on noni for cancer to determine its safety and potential effects on tumors and symptoms, as well as a laboratory study of noni’s effects on prostate cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute is funding preliminary research on noni for breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Top

Side Effects and Cautions

• Noni is high in potassium. People who are on potassium-restricted diets because of kidney problems should avoid using noni.
• Several noni juice manufacturers have received warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about making unsupported health claims.
• Few side effects from noni have been reported, but its safety has not been adequately studied.
• There have been reports of liver damage from using noni. It should be avoided if you have liver disease because it contains compounds that may make your disease worse.
• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM's Time to Talk campaign.

Noni - Morinda citrifolia - Nhàu

A Polynesian Delight

During the first three quarters of this Century, a great deal traditional medical wisdom was over looked as medicine became more scientific and engrossed in technology. This resulted in large segments of the population putting their care along with their personal choices into the hands of physicians, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals.

As the pendulum has swung back toward natural healing one surprising rediscovery has been the Noni fruit or Morinda citrifolia, Rubiacae. This botanical panacea has attracted the attention of botanists, researches and doctors. Phytonutrients represent a step beyond what we traditionally call vitamins. They are specialized plant compounds that have beneficial functions in our bodies.

Examples of good sources of phytonutrients you may already be familiar with include ginseng, licorice, gingko biloba and aloe vera.

Noni fruit juice is known to contain many different kinds of phytonutrients. These include a glucopolysaccharide that is known to boost the immune system, a compound that inhibits viruses and cancerous changes in DNA, and the precursor to an alkaloid called xeronine that improves the functioning of your enzymes and cell wall receptors. These compounds work together to boost each other’s effectiveness. They have been designed and formulated by the wisdom of nature rather than by someone in a laboratory.

Optimal functioning of your immune system is vital to your overall wellness, every biochemical reaction in your body utilizes enzymes and all of your cellular communication mechanisms use cell wall receptors. Because Noni juice works on such basic levels, you can well imagine that is has many uses.

Noni juice is simple. It is just a juice. It is as safe for you as orange juice or apple juice. It has many powerful therapeutic benefits. If you were severely deficient in vitamin C, you would have a condition called scurvy. Vitamin C, among other things, helps with the production of collagen, the main ingredient in our connective tissue.
Scurvy is a condition where your body is literally falling apart. If you had scurvy, a glass of orange juice would have powerful therapeutic benefits. A glass or two of orange juice per day would prevent it altogether. This analogy applies to Noni in that many of us are severely xeronine deficient.

Nutrient-depleted soils, environmental pollution, the stress of everyday life, aging, diseases and certain food additives all work together to deplete our xeronine. Noni fruit juice supplies the necessary nutrients so that our bodies can make more xeronine.

THE HISTORY OF TAHITIAN NONI

Ancient peoples of what is now known as French Polynesia colonized islands throughout the South Pacific. As they made their voyages from island to island in ocean-going canoes, they brought with them sacred plants from their home islands. These plants contained the basic foods, construction materials, and medicines used by the Polynesian colonizers.

Perhaps the most important of these plants was simply known as Noni. Noni was highly valued for its healthful qualities. Ancient manuscripts handed down from generation to generation cite the Noni fruit as the primary ingredient in their natural health preparations as well as a fundamental part of traditional Polynesian medicine.
The surprising properties of the Noni fruit Morinda citrifolia, Rubiacae has attracted the attention of botanists, researches and doctors. Scientists have studied the Noni plant for many years hoping to unlock the secrets of its tremendous impact on the body. In study after study, Noni has been found to be exactly what the traditional Polynesians have always known, a perfect natural gift worthy of our greatest attention.

WHY NONI WORKS

Researchers have identified over 50 compounds in the Noni fruit that have therapeutic value. Two of these compounds, Anthraquinones and scopoletin have been proven to be helpful against bacteria, fungus, inflammation and allergies. Another category, Terpenes, are also found in essential oils, help rejuvenate cells.

French scientists had success testing Noni’s pain-killing elements. Japanese researchers found a compound named Damnacanthal that inhibited pre-cancerous cells. Dr. Ralph Heinicki, PhD, discoved that Noni contains an appreciable quantity of a compound that he identified and named, proxeronine.

Proxeronine helps the body make an important alkaloid called xeronine. Dr. Heinicke, a leading authority on Noni juice, pioneered the search for the active ingredient in Noni fruit. In 1957 he discovered an alkaloid in healthy human cells that he named xeronine.

Xeronine is very important to the body because it regulates and strengthens the protein in our cells. Protein is found everywhere in our body and comprises the bulk of the organic material within the cell. Hemoglobin, insulin, collagen, as well as muscle and skin, cell membranes, blood vessel walls, blood clots and many hormones are also made of protein. Xeronine’s impact on protein may help to explain Noni’s effectiveness for so many different conditions.

Heinicke found that insufficient amounts of xeronine in cells can lead to major health problems. Only a negligible amount of free xeronine is actually in the Noni fruit, but the precursor of xeronine, proxeronine, is present in the fruit in significant amounts. The xeronine becomes active when it’s ingested into your body.

HOW XERONINE IS MADE IN THE BODY

Proxeronine and proxeronase are abundant in the juice of the Noni fruit. Proxeronine is the precursor of the alkaloid xeronine, the basic building block of this important substance. Proxeronase is the enzyme necessary to complete the chemical reaction which produces xeronine.

Proxeronine and proxeronase combine in the large intestine to produce xeronine. Xeronine is then absorbed in the cells of the body. Noni fruit also contains the inactive form of the enzyme needed to release xeronine from proxeronine. For Noni to be effective, this "proenzyme" must be properly activated.

Noni should be taken on an empty stomach so that the critical proenzyme is able to escape digestion and enter the intestines, where it can be activated and used by your body. Many locations in the body have proteins with receptor sites for xeronine absorption. Research done by A. Hirazumi and others shows that Noni significantly increased the life span of mice with lung cancer. The Noni juice seemed to act indirectly by enhancing the host immune system.

Noni can also be an effective burn teatment. Xeronine activates a specific protein digesting enzyme that quickly and safely removes dead tissue from burns. Noni makes people feel better because xeronine converts certain brain proteins into active receptor sites for endorphins, the well-being hormones. It can also improve digestion because it enables larger molecules of digested material to pass through cell membranes.

Other health problems that Noni favorably affects are high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, arthritis, gastric ulcers, sprains, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, blood vessel problems, drug addiction, pain and many others. The administration of Noni’s simple alkaloid causes an unbelievably wide range of physiological responses making Noni juice a valuable herbal remedy.

Dr. Steven Hall, MD, who specializes in the treatment of chronic conditions such as chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain, has found that these are the conditions that Noni helps the most. "Not only does Noni juice provide many benefits on its own, but it also increases the effectiveness of other treatments," said Dr. Hall.

Hall also agrees that the major key to Noni’s effectiveness is that it contains significant amounts of proxeronine, which becomes xeronine when ingested. Xeronine is important because it helps the body turn enzymes on and off. Trying to operate your body’s enzyme systems without xeronine is like driving a car with a sloppy link in the steering column — your steering is sluggish and it’s difficult to control the car. If your body has enough xeronine, it’s like having the tight, precise steering of a race car.

Some of Dr. Hall’s best results with Noni juice were with patients that had inflammation problems such as arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or carpal tunnel syndrom. In our culture 30-40% of the calories we get are from sugar. This makes it hard for our bodies to regulate themselves. He believes Noni helps the body reach another level of cellular and molecular regulation, which can control the inflammatory process. Noni offers help to people who have not been helped by traditional medical science.

There are several Noni fruit juice products on the market. Some are powdered and in capsules, others are liquid. Of the liquids a few contain extracts of the roots and leaves of the Noni plant. Recipes that follow a pure extract of the Noni fruit juice contain the perfect mix of the pulpy and watery part of the fruit. This is important because these two fruit components, though essentially similar, have unique properties. Together they are a dynamic pair.

Noni grows in practically all tropical regions of the world, from Puerto Rico to India. However, the soils of the world simply aren’t the same. The best Noni grows in unspoiled, nutrient rich soil such as that of the remote Polynesian island of Tahiti in the South Pacific. There the Noni fruit is gathered in the same way now as it was 2000 years ago, from soil that has not been depleted of nutrients and minerals, thereby maintaining the vitality of the therapeutic properties of Noni juice.

Noni is taken to improve overall health and well being, to boost the body’s immune system and to help support your body’s natural healing processes. Noni helps to better absorb the nutrients from foods and from other supplements. It provides your body with nutrients that are not found in many foods today. It strengthens your body’s enzymes, cell receptor sites and cell proteins in order to help them work better.

When your body receives Noni for the first time, it may recognize that the Noni is filling a nutritional need. The immediate effects you may feel could be your body’s way of communicating its gratitude: "Yes, this is what I want!" Changes in lung capacity and eyesight are easy for most people to notice. The body is naturally cleansing itself of toxins and metabolic wastes all the time.

Your body was already primed for a cleansing, and Noni just provided the supportive boost needed to proceed. If you have been drinking less than two glasses of water a day toxins have been building up in your body. When taking Noni, make sure you are drinking at least eight glasses of purified water a day, to flush the metabolic wastes your body naturally produces, plus the toxins your body collects from your diet and from the environment.

If you have not been drinking enough water and you get a cleansing reaction, your symptoms can go away if you simply drink more water.

Although cleansing reactions have a reputation for being associated with unpleasant symptoms, they can also be positive. Unfortunately, positive cleansing reactions don’t last as long as we might like them to. They can include a surge of creativity and new ideas, an extraordinary sense of well being, considerably more energy than usual, greatly improved memory or remarkably clearer thinking.

Naturally, we welcome the positive cleansing reactions, but try not to be disappointed when they go away. Your body will soon adjust to the greater level of health, and the positive reactions will lessen as you settle into a new healthier state of "normal". Continue to take Noni to help maintain this higher level of health.
Loose stools tend to occur when you are taking more Noni than you need. Ideally, using Noni should allow you to detoxify gradually and feel good at the same time. Then, if you do have a cleansing reaction, adjusting the amount of Noni you take and how you take it can help you detoxify more comfortably.

One person who had positive results with Noni was a woman with degenerative arthritis who’d been in pain for approximately twenty years. She’d had knee replacements in 1990, but that didn’t solve the problem. She had to walk with a cane and had a hard time getting up from a sitting position.

Alter being on Noni for three days, she was able to throw her cane away, get up from the sofa, and run most of the way across the room without pain. She knew Noni had done it, because it was the only thing she had changed in her life. There was also a patient with macular degeneration, a dark spot on the back of her eye who was helped by Noni. Her vision had deteriorated so much that she was essentially blind.

She’d been to some of the best ophthalmologists and top medical centers, but they hadn’t been able to help her. After two-and-a-half weeks on Noni, her ophthalmologist documented that there was a regeneration of cells in her eye to replace the ones that had deteriorated. Another woman had a cyst on the back of her neck. She had felt it under the skin for months. Noni was able to draw the cyst out to the point that it could be lanced and removed without a problem.

Noni juice also dramatically improves high blood pressure. One woman’s blood pressure was 170/100 and we could not budge it. After two months on Noni, it’s 130/80. All of these results stem from Noni’s enhancement of the activities of the pineal gland.

This vital gland is where serotonin is produced, from which melatonin is synthesized. Melatonin helps regulate sleep, mood, puberty, and ovarian cycles. In the brain, serotonin and melatonin affect conditions like multiple sclerosis. With MS, a pigmented area in the brain called the substantia nigra is missing some of the needed pigment.

Noni juice restores this chemical material to the brain, causing a favorable response in people with MS. There are serotonin receptors in the digestive tract as well. Noni can improve digestion. Noni also balances the body’s pH levels, which affect one’s ability to absorb minerals and vitamins. Noni enhances the junction of the thyroid and thymus glands, helping to ward off infections and other problems with the immune system. It can even reverse depression, because it allows neural hormones to work.

Noni juice helps the pancreas to balance blood sugar. Women who drink Noni juice have fewer cramps, and men who drink Noni have less swelling in their prostate. Noni basically enhances whatever medical treatment a patient is receiving. I’ve spoken to ancient healers in Hawaii who consider this to be a sacred fruit and they aren’t at all surprised by the incredible medical results we’ve had with Noni.

The modern world of medicine is finally starting to catch up to the knowledge of ancient times. We now have the equipment necessary to evaluate what it is about the Noni plant that allows it to cause such dramatic improvement in so many areas of the body. Noni, an ancient remedy, is finally being validated by breakthroughs in modern technology.

Noni Plant

Other common name(s): noni fruit, noni juice, Indian mulberry, morinda, hog apple, meng koedoe, mora de la India, ruibarbo caribe, wild pine

Scientific/medical name(s): Morinda citrifolia

Description

The noni or morinda plant is a tropical evergreen tree that grows to about 10 feet tall in Tahiti and other Pacific Islands, as well as in parts of Asia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean. The tree can grow to as tall as 10 feet and bears a fruit about the size of a potato which starts out green and ripens into yellow or white. The juice, fruit, bark, and leaves are used in herbal remedies and Polynesian folk medicine.

Overview

There is no reliable clinical evidence that noni juice is effective in preventing or treating cancer or any other disease in humans. Although animal and laboratory studies have shown some positive effects, human studies are just beginning. Research is under way to isolate various compounds in the noni plant so that further testing can be done to learn whether they may be useful in humans.

How is it promoted for use?

Proponents claim the noni fruit and its juice can be used to treat cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure, HIV, rheumatism, psoriasis, allergies, infection, and inflammation. Some believe that the fruit can relieve sinus infections, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, sprains, injuries, depression, senility, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, addiction, colds, flu, and headaches. It is further claimed that the juice can heal scratches on the cornea of the eye.

In India, proponents use noni as a remedy for asthma and dysentery, and folk healers in the Pacific islands use it for many types of illness. In the United States, some noni juice distributors promote it as a general tonic, stress reliever, facial and body cleanser, and dietary and nutritional supplement.

What does it involve?

Parts of the noni plant are used as a juice, a tonic, a poultice, and in tea. The juice, which has an unpleasant taste and odor, is used on the scalp as a treatment for head lice. Some proponents also advise drinking the juice, mixed with other juices and flavorings to mask its unpleasant taste. The leaves and bark are sometimes made into a liquid tonic for urinary complaints and muscle or joint pain. The unripe noni fruit is mashed together with salt and applied on cuts and broken bones. Ripe fruit is used as a poultice for facial blemishes or as a remedy for skin sores, boils, or infections. Tea made from leaves of the plant is used as a remedy for tuberculosis, arthritis, rheumatism, and as an anti-aging treatment.

In the United States, noni products are sold in various forms including juice, extract, powder, capsules (nutritional supplements and diet aids), facial cleansers, bath gels, and soaps. Noni distributors and Internet sites selling the juice or supplements often recommend that they be taken on an empty stomach.

Noni fruit juice and supplements contain various amounts of vitamin C and A, as well as trace minerals.

What is the history behind it?

The noni fruit has been popular for centuries among Polynesians, who introduced the noni plant to Hawaii. During World War II, soldiers stationed in the South Pacific ate the fruit for added sustenance. Over the past few years, products from the noni plant have become available in health food stores and online in the United States.

In 1998, a company that manufactures noni juice and other noni products for distribution was charged with making unfounded claims by the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, New Jersey, and Texas. The company claimed that the juice could treat, cure, or prevent many diseases including cancer, HIV, diabetes, rheumatism, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, psoriasis, allergies, heart rhythm abnormality, chronic inflammation, and joint pain. The company was ordered to stop advertising these health claims until it could provide scientific evidence of its claims and receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That same year, juice marketed under the name of "Noni" was banned in Finland until claims of the juice's ability to prevent, treat, or cure illness were removed from advertising brochures.

Between 2002 and late 2006, the FDA again warned several companies to stop making claims that noni could cure, treat, or prevent disease, since proof of such abilities had still not been submitted to the FDA. However, these claims are still widely made on Web sites and elsewhere.

What is the evidence?

Several animal and laboratory experiments have been done on different compounds taken from the noni plant. A group of Hawaiian researchers caused tumors to grow in mice and then injected specially prepared noni juice into their abdomens. Mice who received the treatment survived twice as long as the untreated mice. Other scientists studying freeze-dried extract from the roots of the plant found that the substance appeared to prevent pain and induce sleep in mice.

Another team of investigators reported that damnacanthal, a compound removed from the root of the noni plant, may inhibit a chemical process that turns normal cells into cancer cells. However, since extracted chemicals or substances are different from the raw plant, a study of an extract might not produce the same result as a study using the whole plant. In addition, while animal and laboratory studies may show a certain substance holds promise as a helpful treatment, further studies are necessary to learn whether the results apply to humans.

An early (Phase I) clinical trial of freeze-dried noni fruit extract was done on 29 patients at the University of Hawaii to learn about its actions and toxicities in people with cancer. This study found no toxic effects on patients even at daily doses of 10 grams, but also found that there was no significant effect on quality of life. It was noted, however, that those who got higher doses reported feeling somewhat better. In addition, researchers at Louisiana State University are working to isolate and purify any compounds in the juice that may be active in humans so that further testing can be done.

More research is needed before it can be determined what role, if any, noni plant compounds may play in the treatment of cancer or other health conditions.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike drugs (which must be tested before being allowed to be sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.

Some such products may not contain the amount of the herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different batches of the same brand.

Most such supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.

The safety and long-term effects of noni juice and other noni products are not well known. A few cases of liver problems have been reported in people taking noni in European countries. One of these patients had previous liver damage and required a liver transplant, but the others recovered when noni was stopped.

The juice has a significant amount of potassium, equivalent to a similar amount of tomato juice or orange juice, and may pose problems for people with kidney disease and others who must restrict their potassium intake. It is also high in sugar, which must be considered for people with diabetes and others who are restricting their calorie intake. It may also cause the urine to turn a pink or reddish color. Noni juice and supplements have not been studied in pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer, may have serious health consequences.

What Is Noni Fruit Good For

Throughout tropical regions, virtually every part of  Morinda citrifolia was used to treat disease or injury.

It s curative properties were well known and commonly employed. Patoa Tama Benioni, a member of the Maori tribe from the Cook Islands and a lecturer on island plants explains:

Traditionally Polynesians use noni for basically everything in the treatment of illness. Noni is a part of our lives.

Any Polynesian boy will tell you he’s had experience with it. We use juice from its roots, its flowers, and its fruit . . . my grandmother taught me to use noni fruit from the roots and the leaves to make medicine for external as well as internal use, and for all kinds of ailments, such as coughs, boils, diseases of the skin, and cut decoctions to stimulate delayed menstruation.

• Noni fruit was frequently utilized for it s antiparasitic activity.
• Respiratory ailments, coughs, and colds were treated with noni.
• A juice made from pounding noni leaves, roots and fruit mixed with water was administered for diarrhea.
• Dried and powdered forms of the bark mixed with water and administered with a spoon treated infant diarrhea.
• Small pieces of noni fruit and root infused with water were given to kill intestinal parasites.
• Boiled bark decoctions were given as a drink for stomach ailments.
• Coughs were treated with grated bark.
• Charred unripe fruit was used with salt on diseased gums.
• Pounded fruit combined with kava and sugar cane was used to treat tuberculosis.
• Babies were rubbed with fresh, crushed leaves for serious chest colds accompanied by fever.
• Eye washes were made from decoctions for eye complaints from flower extracts.
• Leaf infusions were traditionally taken to treat adult fevers.
• A mouthwash consisting of crushed ripe fruit and juice was used for inflamed gum in young boys.
• Pounded leaf juice was used for adult gingivitis.
• Sore throats were treated by chewing the leaves and swallowing the juice.
• Skin abscesses and boils were covered with leaf poultices.
• Swelling was controlled with leaf macerations.
• Heated leaves were often used for arthritic joins and for ringworm.

Noni juice

History

Sold in capsule form, pulp powder was the first M. citrifolia product brought to the commercial market in Hawaii by Herbert Moniz of Herb's Herbs in 1992 after patenting a unique M. citrifolia dehydrating method.(US 5288491) The noni fruit is endemic in the Hawaiian islands.
In 1996, Morinda Inc. (now Tahitian Noni International headquartered in Provo, Utah) acquired M. citrifolia from French Polynesia to manufacture juice, capsule and personal-care products for the Western market.^{[citation needed]}
There are now approximately 300 companies marketing noni juice in a global market estimated at more than $2 billion annually.^{[citation needed]} Today, raw materials for noni juices on the world market come mainly from Polynesia, but most manufacturers are in the United States.^{[citation needed]}

Regulatory warnings and safety testing

In August 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a Warning Letter to Flora, Inc. for violating section 201(g)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)]. Flora made twelve unfounded health claims about the purported benefits of noni juice as a medical product, in effect causing the juice to be evaluated as a drug. Under the Act, this necessitates all safety and clinical trial evidence for the juice providing such effects in humans.^[1]
The FDA letter also cited 1) absent scientific evidence for health benefits of noni phytochemicals, scopoletin, and damnacanthal, neither of which has been confirmed with biological activity in humans, and 2) lack of scientific foundation for health claims made by two proponents of noni juice, Dr. Isabella Abbot and Dr. Ralph Heinicke.^[1]
Two other FDA letters have been issued for the same types of violations.^[2][3]
In the European Union, after safety testing on one particular brand of noni juice (Tahitian Noni), approval was granted in 2002 as a novel food by the European Commission for Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General.^[4] In their report, the European Commission's Scientific Committee made no endorsement of health claims.
No M. citrifolia products have achieved sufficient scientific foundation for being licensed as medicines or therapies. Companies today must still apply to the European Commission for Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General to have their own brand of noni juice included as a novel food under the initial approval.

Research

In 2005, two scientific publications described incidents of acute hepatitis caused by ingesting M. citrifolia. One study suggested the toxin to be anthraquinones, found in roots, leaves and fruit of the M. citrifolia,^[5][6] while the other named juice as the delivery method.^[7]
This was, however, followed by a publication^[8] showing that noni juice 1) is not toxic to the liver even when consumed in high doses, and 2) contains low quantities of anthraquinones, which are potentially toxic to liver tissue.^[9]
The case reports of hepatitis were reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), wherein it was concluded that no causal link could be established.^[10] The potential for toxicity caused by noni juices remains under surveillance by EFSA, individual food safety authorities in France,^[11] Finland^[12] and Ireland,^[13] and medical investigators in Germany.^[14] A review of toxicity tests and the safety issues surrounding noni juice has been published.^[15]
The Physicians Desk Reference ("PDR") for Non-Prescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements lists only one particular commercial brand of noni juice, with no side-effects mentioned.^[16] Consumers of noni juice are advised to carefully check labels for warnings, which may say "Not safe for pregnant women" or "Keep out of reach of children."
Some commercial brands of noni juice may be high in potassium^{[citation needed]}. While potassium is a valuable nutrient in a normal diet, persons with advanced kidney disease cannot excrete it properly and should avoid noni juice, which has been known to cause hyperkalemia.^[17] Of related significance is a report showing high variability in mineral contents between various brands of noni juice.^[18]
Two brands of noni juice are listed on ConsumerLab.com's "Athletic Banned Substance Screening Program" as having been screened for substances on the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List.^[19]

Preliminary medical research

The genus Morinda (of which M. citrifolia is a species) has attracted limited medical research, with 145 papers published since 1994 and 55 since 2006^[20] (search "noni" and "morinda"; PubMed search, January 2008). Despite the large market for juice products and research developments, the nutrient and phytochemical profiles of M. citrifolia have not been extensively studied and remain poorly related to potential health benefits.
The numerous health claims made in noni juice marketing^{[citation needed]} are not supported by significant scientific agreement^[13][21] and only one human cancer study completed under NIH peer-review in 2006 has been conducted, the results of which remain unpublished and unconfirmed^[22] as of February 2012.
In a university-based pilot study funded by the noni juice manufacturer, Tahitian Noni International, Inc., it was reported that noni juice consumption may lower blood cholesterol levels^[23] but the results of this study completed in 2006 were never published and met skepticism by experts.^[24][25]
Laboratory studies of M. citrifolia's effect on tumors in mice^[26] include evidence for reduced growth of capillaries in tumor explants.^[27] One study showed noni juice to lower the number of DNA adducts in rats induced with a carcinogen^[28] and also showed antioxidant properties of noni juice compared with those of vitamin C, grape seed powder, and pycnogenol. Reductions in DNA adducts and lowering of free radicals by noni juice were shown in blood samples from heavy smokers.^[29][30] Further studies of whether such effects occur in other animal models or in cancer patients have not been published.
Preliminary experiments showed that noni juice may affect physical endurance of mice^[31] and athletes.^[32]