What are the health benefits of Noni?

Manufacturers and distributors claim Noni can be used to treat everything from cancer to HIV, but are their claims backed by credible scientific research?

Traditional Uses
Noni has been used to treat a variety of ailments all over the world.  In China, Japan, Samoa and Tahiti, various parts of the tree are serve as tonics and are used to treat fever, eye and skin problems, and gum and throat irritations as well as constipation, stomach pain, or respiratory ailments. In Malaysia Noni is used for urinary problems and menstrual pain. In Indochina, the fruit is taken for asthma, lumbago, and dysentery. 

Noni fruit is also used for external applications. Unripe fruits are mashed, mixed with salt, and applied to cuts and broken bones. In Hawaii, ripe fruits are applied to draw out pus from infected boils.  Heated Noni leaves applied to the chest are believed to relieve coughs, nausea, and colic.

Noni Health Benefits - Fact or Fiction?
Proponents claim that Noni juice and Noni extracts improve the immune system and can be used to treat cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV, rheumatism, psoriasis, allergies, infection, and inflammation.  Some insist it can also relieve sinus infections, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, sprains, injuries, depression, senility, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, addiction, colds, flu, and headaches. 

It sure sounds like a miracle cure? 
But does it really work?

Research Studies
We know that Noni fruit contains vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants. Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances in plants that protect the body from free radicals that interfere with normal cellular functions.  Free radicals abound in our modern world in the form of pollutants, food additives, pesticides, cigarette smoke, viruses, and bacteria.  Damage by unchecked free-radical compounds can manifest as serious illnesses.  For example, cancer is now known to be associated with free-radical damage to healthy cellular DNA.  Because antioxidants protect the body from these free radicals, they can help combat heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.  Antioxidants are also believed to help slow the aging process.

Noni appears to have fewer antioxidants than pomegranates, red wine or green tea, which rank high in antioxidant activity, and it is too early to ascertain how much of a role Noni’s antioxidants play in the prevention or treatment of any disease or condition.  Much more research needs to be done before we can truly understand the full health benefits of Noni. 

Let’s look at some of the recent research studies.

Noni and Cholesterol
One study, funded by the manufacturer of Tahitian Noni Juice, and presented to the 46th annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention in 2006, claimed reductions in total cholesterol and triglycerides were seen in smokers who drank a product containing juice from the fruit of the Noni tree every day for a month.

Noni juice may lower total cholesterol andtriglycerides in adult smokers

However, the Mayo Clinic, states there is no evidence that Noni juice reduces cholesterol, and claims there is insufficient reliable data about its effectiveness in treating any condition.

Noni juice: Can it reduce cholesterol?

Noni and infections
Although Noni is commonly used to fight infection, Noni juice does not appear to improve infections once symptoms have manifested.  However, some patients report feeling better after using Noni extract made from the leaves of the plant. 

Noni and pain.
Noni is commonly used to treat pain, painful inflammation and swelling.  Many people claim to have experienced improved flexibility in their limbs and notice a reduction in the painful swelling of hands, ankles, feet, elbows and shoulders after taking Noni.  Studies in mice have demonstrated that extracts from the root of Noni have some pain relieving and sedative activity.  Powdered Noni fruit has shown mild anti-inflammatory effects, possibly by blocking an enzyme that promotes pain and inflammation. These findings not been verified or disproved by clinical studies in humans.

Wound-healing activity of Morinda citrifolia fruit juice on diabetes-induced rats.

Noni and Diabetes
Noni has been used in the treatment of diabetes in some parts of the world.  Most of the traditional uses for diabetes involve chewing the leaves or a combination of the plant and leaves. However, one recent study involving Noni fruit juice suggests that drinking Noni juice may help maintain appropriate blood glucose levels.

The inhibitory effects of Morinda citrifolia L. Noni on phosphodiesterase enzymes: The possible mechanisms for increasing energy and improving diabetic conditions.

Noni and Cancer
Noni juice was highly advertised during the 1990s as an anti-cancer agent.  Although these claims were based on undocumented reports and insufficient scientific evidence, Noni may have some properties that actually fight cancer and other diseases.   In laboratory and animal studies, Noni has shown some ability to promote immune system activity and to repair damaged cells.  In separate laboratory studies, some of the compounds found in Morinda citrifolia (Noni) and other morinda species, do seem to slow down the growth of the new blood vessels needed for cancer to grow and spread. Some of the compounds may also cause blood vessels in existing tumors to break down. Additional studies show that giving chemicals derived from morinda to laboratory animals may increase the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat cancer.

Noni Juice And Cancer What Is The Research Done On This Topic?

Anti-inflammatory and potential cancer chemopreventive constituents ofthe fruits of Morinda citrifolia (Noni).

To date, none of these potential anti-cancer effects has been documented by well-controlled studies in humans. However, early phases of research for human cancer patients are underway.  It is far too early to recommend Noni in the treatment of cancer.

Conclusion:
At this point, there is insufficient reliable scientific evidence to support the use of a Noni extract or Noni juice as a substitute for any standard medical treatment. Although animal and laboratory studies have shown some positive effects, human studies are just getting underway.  Researchers are also trying to isolate various compounds found in the Noni plant so that further testing can be done to find out if they may be useful in humans.

In the meantime, due to its content of various nutrients, Noni juice and Noni supplements are believed to be healthy to consume as part of an overall balanced diet. However, high dosages for prolonged periods are generally discouraged.

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The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for treatment of any health problem. As with any herbal or dietary supplement, talk to your doctor before making Noni juice or Noni supplements a part of your regular diet.

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