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Noni

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Introduction

Noni is a tree with a small green fruit that can be made into a juice. It has been used to help the body fight illness. It has also been used to slow damage to cells. Noni can be taken as a pill, powder, or extract. It can also be put on the skin as an ointment or made into a tea.

Dosages

600 milligrams once daily

What Research Shows

May Be Effective

Nausea and vomiting—may prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery B1

May Not Be Effective

Dysmenorrhea—may not ease menstrual pain A1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to put noni on the skin. It may be safe for most adults to take noni in small doses for a short period, but some people have had liver problems.C1-C5 Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to take for a long period. Noni should not be taken during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse, such as:

Noni has high amounts of potassium. People with potassium sensitivity or those on high potassium diets should talk to their doctor before taking noni.

References►

A. Dysmenorrhea

A1. Fletcher M, Dawkins J, et al. Morinda citrifolia (Noni) as an Anti-Inflammatory Treatment in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2013; 2013: 195454.

B. Nausea and Vomiting

B1. Prapaitrakool S, Itharat A, et al. Morinda citrifolia Linn. For prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. J Med Assoc Thai. 2010;93(7):S204-209.

C. Safety

C1. Millonig G, Stadlmann S, et al. Herbal hepatotoxicity: acute hepatitis caused by a Noni preparation (Morinda citrifolia). Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005 Apr;17(4):445-447.

C2. Stadlbauer V, Fickert P, et al. Hepatotoxicity of NONI juice: report of two cases. World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Aug 14;11(30):4758-4760.

C3. Stadlbauer V, Weiss S, et al. Herbal does not at all mean innocuous: the sixth case of hepatotoxicity associated with morinda citrifolia (noni). Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Sep;103(9):2406-2407.

C4. Mrzljak A, Kosuta I, et al. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Associated with Noni (Morinda citrifolia) Juice and Phenobarbital Case Rep Gastroenterol. 2013 Jan-Apr; 7(1): 19–24.

C5. Vinaya C, Maddukuri H, et al. Herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2014 Jul; 4(1): 1–3. Published online 2014 Jul 25.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 6/29/2020

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