Noni
Morinda citrifolia
also known as noni fruit
Weak (modern) / moderate (traditional Pacific)
A tropical fruit with a strong, cheese-like smell, central to Polynesian medicine for two thousand years. Traditional use covers a wide range of conditions, from digestion to immunity to pain. Modern clinical evidence is limited and the marketing has often outrun the science.
- Long traditional Polynesian use as a general healing fruit
- Traditionally associated with energy, immunity, joint discomfort, and digestion
- Antioxidant action from compounds in the fruit and leaf
- Antimicrobial activity in lab studies
- Modern clinical evidence is limited; most research is preliminary or industry-funded
Has caused liver injury in some reports, including a few cases of liver failure
Skip with any pre-existing liver condition
Very high in potassium — skip with kidney disease, kidney failure, or potassium-sparing diuretics
Use caution with blood thinners
Use caution with blood pressure medications
Skip during pregnancy and nursing — limited safety data
Stop two weeks before surgery
Marketing claims for noni have been the subject of FTC enforcement — credible reference works treat the bigger claims with skepticism
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