What Do They Use The Noni For?

Noni juice comes from the odd-looking, yellowish-white fruits of the noni shrub, which is native to the Polynesian Islands, according to the website for the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine. Before taking noni for medicinal purposes, first consult your health care provider.

Noni Uses

Some of the common uses for noni include taking it as a general tonic for health, and to treat cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to the NCCAM. It has long been used to treat various skin conditions as well. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website adds that it is used to treat menstrual cramps, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome and to boost the immune system. Drugs.com reports that Polynesians eat the fruit of the noni plant layered with sugar and they eat the leaves of the plant either cooked or raw. The roots of the noni plant can be used as a red dye and the plant's bark makes an effective yellow dye.

Research

An article at PubMed.gov describes research on the noni plant that concluded that it is useful as a prevention and treatment for some forms of cancer and that it is useful as a health supplement. The NCCAM is funding research on the abilities of noni to help prevent and fight various forms of cancer.

Possible Side Effects

The NCCAM site warns people who have to restrict their intake of potassium to avoid the use of noni because it has high potassium content. The site also says that people with liver disease should not take noni because it can make the condition worse. The MSKCC site cautions diabetics to read the product labels carefully for noni because many of them add sugar to improve the taste. Otherwise, noni taken as a health supplement is considered safe.

Potential Interactions

The MSKCC site reports that noni can interfere with the effectiveness of some chemotherapy medications. Talk to your pharmacist or health care provider if you have questions about the potential for noni interacting with other medications or supplements you take.

Forms Used

According to the NCCAM site, noni juice is widely available and is sometimes combined with other fruit juices, such as grape juice. The fruit and leaves are also commonly made into teas, capsules and tablets for use as supplements.