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Noni, The Miracle Fruit
By Steven Schechter, N.D.

The Noni plant (Morinda citrifolia) grows primarily throughout the South Pacific and thrives in the mineral rich soil of Tahiti and Hawaii.  The Hawaiian Kahunas, traditional medicine men, have used this plant and its prized fruit for a wide variety of health problems, including sinus infections, arthritis, digestive disorders, colds, flu, headaches, infections, menstrual problems, injuries, pain relief, skin disorders and more.

Doctors Agree
However, it’s not only the highly skilled Kahunas who agree about the great value of Noni.  Dr. Isabella Abbott, a Professor at the University of Hawaii said “…use it for diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and many other illnesses.”  It is remarkable that Noni has so many traditional uses that now seem to be confirmed by modern science.

International Research Confirms Noni’s Benefits
Noni has been researched at leading institutions in France, The Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Taiwan, Austria, and Canada.  In the United States, a great deal of work was done at the University of Hawaii.  Noni research has even been conducted at the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, our Government’s National Science Center. 

Western research into this remarkable plant and its fruit date back at least to 1950 when the scientific journal PACIFIC SCIENCE noted that the Noni fruit showed antibacterial properties against m.pyrogenes, Ps. aeruginosa, and even the deadly E. coli.  Since then, the wealth of information supporting the traditional uses and health benefits of Noni fruit have grown, and all seem to confirm what the Kahunas have known for thousands of years.  More specifically, the journal CANCER LETTER [73 (2-3) 1993, 161-166], reported that Keio University and The Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Japan claimed isolation of a new anthraquinone compound from Noni called damnacanthal.  It caused normal morphology and cystoskeletal structure in K-ras-NRK pre-cancer cells.  In layman terms, Noni may have turned pre-cancer cells into normal healthy cells. 

Numerous Studies Endorse Noni’s Value
Important research on the medicinal uses of Noni was presented at the 83^rd, 84^th and the 85^th Annual Meetings of the American Association for Cancer Research. A landmark paper presented at the 83^rd meeting in San Diego, California in 1992 and written up in the Proceeding of the American Association for Cancer Research was “Anti-Tumor Activity of Morinda citrifolia on Intraperitoneally Implanted Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Mice”.  The mice fed Noni fruit lived 105% - 123% longer.  Some 40% of these mice lived for 50 days or more!  This study was repeated numerous times, and each time Noni fruit was shown to significantly prolong the lives of cancerous mice (versus cancerous mice without Noni fruit).  Simply put, Noni fruit may inhibit tumor growth.

Another study proved Noni’s analgesic (anti-pain) properties.  In repeated tests by a group of researchers, and documented in Planta Medica [56 (1990) 430-434], various experiments all found Noni (Morinda citrifolia) to be beneficial for pain.

How Noni Fruit Works
While the precise mechanisms of Noni are not fully understood, Noni fruit does contain a number of enzymes (proteins) and alkaloids that are believed to play a pivotal role in good health.  Some scientists believe that Noni contains proxeronine which, when ingested, produces xeronine, a key alkaloid involved in basic cellular health.  Research indicates Noni fruit stimulates the immune system, regulating cell function and cellular regeneration of damaged cells.  Since Noni fruit seems to operate on the very basic and critical cellular level, Noni may be useful for a wide variety of conditions.

In Summary

• Noni fruit stimulates the production of T-cells in your immune system.  T-cells play a pivotal role in fighting off disease.

• Noni has unique anti-pain effects.

• Noni inhibits pre-cancer function & has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer tumors.

• Noni has been shown effective for many types of bacteria, including E. coli.

• Noni acts to enhance the immune system involving macrophages and/or lymphocytes – a vital part of your body’s natural defenses.

As a clinical therapist, I have seen Noni fruit generate significant, even profound, therapeutic benefits for both prevention and self-help of a wide range of health problems.

How to Select Noni
There are many types of Noni—the specific type referred to here is Morinda citrifolia.  In some studies, Morinda citrifolia was found significantly more effective than other types.  Within Morinda citrifolia, the most prized part of the plant is its uniquely shaped fruit.  Some products do not use all Morinda citrifolia or only the prized fruit.   

The unique Noni fruit does not have a naturally appealing odor and can be difficult to take.  Processing methods have been developed that can reduce the offensive smell and taste while preserving all of nature’s goodness. Traditionally taken as a juice, Noni is also available in capsule form.  Many Noni products are “sun or air dried.”  This can lead to unhealthy amounts of mold, spores and other contaminants. Noni from some sources may be fumigated with deadly chemicals or even irradiated in an effort to kill off these pathogens.  Noni is a highly perishable fruit—adherence to strict health guidlelines is important in producing a high quality Noni product.

Noni grows in many areas, but superior Noni grows throughout the lush tropical climates of Hawaii and Tahiti.  Always look for Noni products that are grown without pesticides and never fumigated with deadly chemicals or irradiated.  Always look for a product that is guaranteed by its manufacturer and uses only the Noni fruit, not inferior plant parts like the leaves.  This will help ensure you always get the highest quality Noni products and best health results.

About The Author
Steven Schechter, N.D., is a nationally respected naturopathic doctor, consultant and medical journalist.  He directs the Natural Healing Institute, a state-certified college and clinic of naturopathy in Encinitas, CA.  He authored the best-selling book “Fighting Radiation & Chemical Pollutants with Foods, Herbs, & Vitamins – Documented Natural Remedies that boost Your Immunity & Detoxify” (Vitality Ink, Encinitas, CA).  He is also available for telephone consultations at (760) 943-8485.

References—Hawaiian Miracle Fruit

Hawaii Medical Journal, 1966 “Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Ancient Hawaiian Medicine”

Whistler, W.A. (1985) Traditional and Herbal Medicine in the Cook Islands, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 13, 239-280

Neal, M., (1965) In Gardens of Hawaii, Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 804 pp.

Abbott, I. And Shimazu, C., (1985) The Geographic Origin of the Plants Most Commonly Used for Medicine by Hawaiians, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 14, 213-222

Singh, Y., Ikahihifo, T., Panuve, M., Slatter, C., (1984) Folk Medicine in Tonga.  A Study on the Use of Herbal Medicines for Obstetric and Gynecological Conditions and Disorders, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 12, 305-325

Kraus, B., (1993) Plants in Hawaiian Culture, University of Hawaiian Press, Honolulu, Hawaii 103, 252 pp

Elliot, S. and Brimacombe, J., (1987) The Medicinal Plants of Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 19, 285, 308

Levand, O. and Larson, H.O., (1979) Some Chemical Constituents of Morinda citrifolia, Planta Medica 36, 186-187

Bushnell, O.A., Fukuda, M., Makinodan, T., (1949) The Antibacterial Properties of Some Plants found in Hawaii, Pacific Science 4, 167-183

Whistler, W. (1992) Tongan Herbal Medicine, Isle Botanica, Honolulu, Hawaii, 89-90 pp

Hirazumi, A., (1992) Antitumor Activity of Morinda citrifolia on IP Implanted Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Mice, Proceedings, Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 33, 515

Abbott, I.A., (1992)  La’au Hawaii:  Traditional Hawaiian Uses of Plants, Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii, 3, 97-100 pp

Hiramatsu, T., et al., (1993) Induction of normal phenotypes in ras-transformed cells by damnacanthal from Morinda citrifolia, Cancer Letters 73, 161-166

Tabrah, F.L. and Eveleth, B.M., (1966) Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Ancient Hawaiian Medicine, Hawaiian Medical Journal, vol. 25, No. 3, 223-230

TenBruggencate, J., (1992) Native plants can heal your wounds, Sunday Star Bulletin & Advertiser, Feb. 9, Honolulu, Hawaii

Younos, C., Rolland, A., Fleurentin, J., Lanhers, M., Misslin R., Mortier, F., (1990) Analgesic and Behavioral Effects of Morinda citrifolia, Planta Medica 56, 430-434

References—Table of Documented Noni Benefits

McCuddin, Ch.R. 1974. Samoan Medicinal Plants and Their Usage.  Department of Medical Services, Government of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoan

McPherson, C. and L. 1990. Samoan Medical Belief and Practice.  Auckland Univ. Pr., Auckland

Uhe, G. 1974. Medicinal Plants of Samoa.  Econ. Bot. 28:1-30

Guest, P.L. 1938. Samoan Trees.  Appendix E. Mimeogra.  The Museum, Honolulu Hawaii.  From Uhe 1974.24

Powell, T. 1969. On Various Samoan plants and their vernacular names.  Br. Foreign J. Bot. 278-285, 342-347, 355-370

Hiramatsu, T et al. 1993.  Induction of normal phenotypes in ras-transformed cells by damnacanthal from Morinda citrifolia.  Cancer Letters 73: 161-166

Hirazumi, A. et al. 1994. Anticancer Activity of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) on Intraperitoneally Implanted Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Syngeneic Mice.  Proceedings Western Pharmacological Society 37: 145-146.

Ganal, C. and Hokam, Y.  The effect of Noni fruit extract (Morinda citrifolia, Indian mulberry) on thymocytes of BALB/c mouse (Meeting abstract).  Nutrition and Cancer, col. II Dept of Pathology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii.  (49999-5002)

Ditmar, Alexander 1993.  Morinda citrifolia L. Use in Indigenous Samoan Medicine.  Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants, vol. 1 (3): 88-91

Rusia, K. & Sriivastava S.K. 1987. Antimicrobial Activity of Some Indian Medicinal Plants.  Indian Journal of Pharmacological Science.  Jan-Feb: 57-58

Elliott, S. & Brimacombe, J. 1987.  The Medicinal Plants of Gunnung Leuser National Park, Indonesia.  Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 19:285-317.  Elseveir Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd.

Whistler, A.  Polynesian Herbal Medicine.  National Tropical Botanical Garden.  Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii  173-174