Noni

Common Name(s)

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

Scientific Name(s)

Morinda citrifolia

General Information

Noni is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows throughout the tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, from Southeast Asia to Australia. Traditionally noni has been used to reduce fevers and to treat gastrointestinal disorders.

How is this product usually used?

Today, the fruit is most commonly combined with other fruits (such as grape) to make juice. The recommended dose for noni juice is 3 to 4 ounces up to twice daily for 1 to 3 months.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a healthcare provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Noni is used as an antioxidant, known for its immune-stimulating and tumor-fighting properties.

There is not sufficient evidence to show that noni is effective for any of these uses.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

Although there have been few reported side effects from using noni, its safety has not been adequately studied. Common side effects of noni are abdominal pain and nausea.

There have been reports of liver damage from using noni. It should be avoided if you have liver disease or are taking medications that may damage the liver because it contains compounds that may make your disease worse.

Noni can interfere with the following medications:

• ACE inhibitors (e.g., ramipril, perindopril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (e.g., telmisartan, valsartan)
• blood pressure medications
• phenytoin
• potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., eplerenone, spironolactone)
• warfarin

Noni may worsen these following conditions:

• kidney disease
• high potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
• liver disease

Consult your doctor before taking noni if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Natural Database. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Noni.
2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Herbs at a Glance. Noni. http://nccih.nih.gov/health/noni/