Medicinal Uses for the Morinda Citrifolia Plant

Morinda citrifolia, also called Noni, is widely used in traditional Polynesian medicine and is increasingly popular in alternative medicine. Several studies have been conducted on its medicinal uses and several are still in progress. The results, though preliminary in many cases, have shown a remarkable number of possible applications and health benefits. These range from increasing endurance, to treating arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, and perhaps even complex neurological diseases and cancer.

Energy and Endurance

• Recent studies show that Tahitian noni juice (TNJ) can increase energy and endurance by increasing the levels of antioxidant activity in the body. The research paper "Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) improves athlete endurance: Its mechanisms of action" published in the "Journal of Medicinal Plants Research" discusses a study in which people taking TNJ showed an increase of endurance of 21 percent and increased antioxidant levels of 25 percent, while placebo groups showed no change at all.

Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension

• A study by the faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and High Technology Research Center at Kobe Gakuin University showed that noni inhibits low-density-lipoprotein oxidation, suggesting its use in preventing arteriosclerosis. In addition, a joint study by Aga Khan University Medical College, the University of Balochistan, and King Saud University has shown Morinda citrifolia to have vasodilating properties. Vasodilators are medicines used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) by allowing blood vessels to widen, increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease

• According to Dr. Mona Harrison, former assistant dean of the Boston University School of Medicine, "It happens that Noni juice mimics the secretion coming from the pineal gland, and in fact acts as a precursor to it, building it up and allowing it to function fully." When an area of the mid-brain known as the "substantia nigra" stops receiving secretions from the pineal gland, it begins to deteriorate. However, this area can be stimulated and the cells restored by the use of TNJ. The symptoms of diseases associated with it, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, may be quelled. Dr. Harrison says, "We are seeing patients reversing some of their neurological problems because the noni juice is stimulating the production of chemicals essential to those areas of the brain."

Cancer

• According to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, animal and in-vitro studies suggest noni plant extracts have anti-tumor and immunomodulatory properties. This means that they inhibit or prevent the growth of tumors and modulate the immune system. There's some indication that drinking noni juice may reduce a smoker's risk of cancer.