Facts on Noni Juice

Derived from the Morinda citifolia plant, extracts of the noni fruit have been used for centuries by Pacific Islanders for a variety of medical conditions. Noni juice preparations are now being marketed as "superfruit" juices with extraordinary health benefits. Scientific evidence of noni extracts have shown antibacterial and antitumor activity, but processed and pasteurized commercial juices were not used in the studies, and it is unknown if they provide the same benefits.

Description

A tropical, evergreen shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 10 to 20 feet, the noni is also known as Indian mulberry. It grows in sandy, rocky and volcanic soils and produces oblong, knobby, bitter fruits that give the plant some of its more colorful names, such as cheesefruit, mouse's pineapple and hog apple.

Traditional Healing Uses

Brought to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian settlers, noni fruit, bark and leaves were used medicinally. The leaves were used as a wrap or poultice for cuts and skin irritations. Unripened fruits were pounded with salt and applied to deep cuts or used as a drawing salve for boils and other infections. A medicinal drink, aumiki 'awa, was a traditional treatment for tuberculosis.

Recent Research

In a study conducted at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, mice were injected with undiluted, crude juice. The results showed "clear antitumor activity." The treated mice lived twice as long, and 20 to 40 percent were considered cured.
Noni's antibacterial properties were tested in vitro and found to be effective against Apergillus nidulans and Candida albicans. This study, conducted by researchers at Clark University in Atlanta, Georgia, suggests that noni may have therapeutic value in treating candidiasis and aspergillosis.

Traditional Drip Extraction

Noni fruits are harvested and brought to a processing plant. They are weighed, washed and allowed to ripen at room temperature. When fully ripe, the flesh is translucent. At this point, the fruits are placed in stainless steel, glass or plastic fermentation tanks. Over a 2-month period, the fruits ferment and the juice seeps out. The resulting liquid is filtered and bottled.

Cautions

Because noni juice is unpalatable, many commercial noni juice preparations are amended with sweeter juices. This, in combination with pasteurization and long-term storage, may affect the nutrient value of pure noni juice.
Noni juice may be very high in potassium and glucose. Diabetics and individuals on potassium-restricted diets should consult their physician before consuming noni juice regularly.