Noni Plant

Other common names for Noni Plant are Noni Fruit, Noni Juice, Morinda, Indian Mulberry, Hog Apple, Meng Koedoe, Mora De La India, Ruibarbo Caribe, Wild Pine. However, the scientific/medical name is Morinda citrifolia.

This evergreen tree grows 10 to 20 feet toll mainly in forests with altitudes up to 1300 feet and open coastal regions of Tahiti and other Pacific Islands. The juice of Noni fruit and the fruit itself are widely used as herbal remedies. While the research is underway to study the various ingredients of Noni fruit and their helpfulness on human body, there is no scientific evidence that Noni Fruit Juice can heal or prevent cancer or any other disease. It should be mentioned though that the studies on animals have show some positive signs.

The claim of Noni Fruit Juice

Supporters of Noni fruit argue that it can treat cancer, diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV, rheumatism, psoriasis, allergies, infection, and inflammation. Some proponents believe that the fruit can relieve a wide range of conditions, including sinus infections, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, sprains, injuries, depression, senility, poor digestion, arteriosclerosis, addiction, colds, flu, and headaches. They also claim that the Noni juice can heal scratches on the cornea of the eye. In the American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Methods it mentions that until now there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

In the same guide it reads: "Parts of the Noni plant are used as a juice, a tonic, a poultice, and in tea. Tea made from leaves of the plant is used as a remedy for tuberculosis, arthritis, rheumatism, and anti-aging. The leaves and bark are sometimes made into a liquid tonic for urinary complaints and muscle or joint pain. The juice, which has an unpleasant taste and odor, is used on the scalp as a treatment for head lice. 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."

The Evidence

According to the American Cancer Society one researcher in Hawaii claims that the main active components of Noni Fruit are xeronine and proxeronine. However, researchers don't know if xeronine has any direct effects on cells or their function. "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 experimental mice and then investigated the results of treatment using specially prepared injections of Noni juice. Mice who received the treatment survived 123% longer than the untreated mice. Another team of investigators reported that damnacanthal, a compound removed from the root of the Noni plant, may inhibit a chemical process which turns normal cells into cancer cells. They stated that damnacanthal caused cells to return to their normal shape and structure. Other scientists studying lyophilised aqueous extract from the roots of the plant found that the substance appeared to prevent pain and induce sleep in mice," writes the American Cancer Society's Guide to Complementary and Alternative Methods.

As we see the results of the studies of Noni Fruit and its effectiveness hold promise for the future, but more research is still necessary. Since the results are not yet fully known it is good to keep the diet and eating habits of vegetables and fruits in the balanced manner and not to avoid the conventional medical care.

Related Information can be found at www.cancer.org

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