Noni

© Steven Foster

This fact sheet provides basic information about noni—common 

names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and 

resources for more information.

Common Names—noni, morinda, Indian mulberry, hog apple, 

canary wood

Latin Name—Morinda citrifolia

Noni is an evergreen shrub or small tree that grows throughout the 

tropical regions of the Pacific Ocean, from Southeast Asia to Australia. 

Noni has a history of use as a topical preparation for joint pain and skin 

conditions. Today, noni fruit juice has folk uses as a general health 

tonic and for cancer and chronic conditions such as cardiovascular 

disease and diabetes.

The noni fruit is most commonly combined with other fruits (such as 

grape) to make juice. Preparations of the fruit and leaves are also 

available in capsules, tablets, and teas.

What the Science Says 

• In laboratory research, noni has shown antioxidant, immunestimulating, and tumor-fighting properties. These results suggest 

that noni may warrant further study for conditions such as cancer 

and cardiovascular disease. However, noni has not been well 

studied in people for any health condition.

• NCCAM-funded research includes a study on noni for cancer to 

determine its safety and potential effects on tumors and symptoms, as 

well as a laboratory study of noni’s effects on prostate cancer cells. The 

National Cancer Institute is funding preliminary research on noni for 

breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Side Effects and Cautions 

• Noni is high in potassium. People who are on potassium-restricted diets because of kidney 

problems should avoid using noni.

• Several noni juice manufacturers have received warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration about making unsupported health claims.

• Few side effects from noni have been reported, but its safety has not been adequately studied.

• There have been reports of liver damage from using noni. It should be avoided if you have 

liver disease because it contains compounds that may make your disease worse.

• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give 

them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about 

complementary and alternative medicine, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign at 

nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk/. 

Sources

Morinda. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on August 5, 2009.

Mueller BA, Scott MK, Sowinski KM, et al. Noni juice (Morinda citrifolia): hidden potential for hyperkalemia? American 

Journal of Kidney Disease. 2000;35(2):310-312.

Noni (Morinda citrifolia). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on August 4, 2009.

Pawlus AD, Su B-N, Kinghorn A. Noni (Morinda citrifolia). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of 

Dietary Supplements. 1st ed. [Online version]. London, UK: Informa Healthcare; 2005:1-8.

For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

(nccam.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm).

NCCAM Clearinghouse

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

PubMed®

Web site: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus

Noni Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/758.html

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and 

advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with 

your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

National Institutes of Health

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

D398

Created October 2007

Updated April 2012