Here's another from
www.supplementwatch.com - I particulalry like the entry under "Theory"
Supplement Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
Description Noni (Morinda citrifolia), is also known as Tahitian Noni and Indian mulberry. The plant is a small tree found in the Pacific islands and Polynesia. The fruit of the Noni tree is foul-smelling and tasting and resembles a cross between a warty avocado and a pitted mango (not a pretty sight). Noni fruit passes thru several stages of ripening, where it turns from green to yellow to white - and is generally regarded as becoming more disgusting with each stage of ripeness.
Claims You name it - they claim it…
· "Miracle cure" for Arthritis, Infections, Cancer, Chronic Fatigue, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Digestive disturbances, Inflammation, and many others.
Theory Only if you were starving to death, would you force yourself to eat noni fruit. Because of its foul odor and bitter taste, nobody except the most desperate Polynesians would force themselves to consume noni (and only during times of famine or widespread sickness). Traditional Polynesian healers ("medicine men") have reportedly used noni fruit for treating everything from constipation to ankle sprains - and there are accounts in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) of noni roots being effective for "strengthening" the digestive system.
Scientific Support Despite the fact that noni has been heavily promoted by multi-level marketing companies for virtually every ailment under the sun, there is no convincing evidence that it is has any beneficial effects for any specific condition. Studies do exist, however, to show that noni juice provides a small measure of antioxidant activity (but so do the juices of almost all fruits) and even a few unique polysaccharide compounds that may help immune system function - so these findings may lend a shred of credence to common claims of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
Safety Noni is not associated with any adverse side effects. Commercial preparations are extensively processed to remove and/or mask the horrendous taste and smell of the native noni fruit, so there is probably more of a safety concern from the added flavors, colors and sweeteners in these concoctions than from the actual noni fruit.
Value Some people will always assign a high mystical value to bad-tasting things from far-off islands - and this is certainly the case with noni juice. Our advice, if you want to drink something that is truly good for you, is to try some orange juice (more antioxidants than noni plus potassium that noni lacks), a V-8 (chock full of carotenoids) or even some apple juice (also packed with antioxidants).
Dosage Commercial noni products are available as juice, tablets and capsules - but there are no scientifically accepted dosage levels for these products. The juices tend to be the most heavily promoted (hyped as cure-alls) with typical dosage recommendations in the range of 4-6 ounces per day. Concentrated forms of the juice may be recommended in lower daily doses of 1-2 tablespoons.
References 1. Salleh MN, Runnie I, Roach PD, Mohamed S, Abeywardena MY. Inhibition of Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation and Up-Regulation of Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor in HepG2 Cells by Tropical Plant Extracts. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jun 19;50(13):3693-7.
2. Wang MY, Su C. Cancer preventive effect of Morinda citrifolia (Noni). Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001 Dec;952:161-8.
3. Liu G, Bode A, Ma WY, Sang S, Ho CT, Dong Z. Two novel glycosides from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (noni) inhibit AP-1 transactivation and cell transformation in the mouse epidermal JB6 cell line. Cancer Res. 2001 Aug 1;61(15):5749-56.
4. Suarez-Almazor ME, Kendall CJ, Dorgan M. Surfing the Net--information on the World Wide Web for persons with arthritis: patient empowerment or patient deceit? J Rheumatol. 2001 Jan;28(1):185-91.
5. Wang M, Kikuzaki H, Jin Y, Nakatani N, Zhu N, Csiszar K, Boyd C, Rosen RT, Ghai G, Ho CT. Novel glycosides from noni (Morinda citrifolia). J Nat Prod. 2000 Aug;63(8):1182-3.
6. Mueller BA, Scott MK, Sowinski KM, Prag KA. Noni juice (Morinda citrifolia): hidden potential for hyperkalemia? Am J Kidney Dis. 2000 Feb;35(2):310-2.
7. Wang M, Kikuzaki H, Csiszar K, Boyd CD, Maunakea A, Fong SF, Ghai G, Rosen RT, Nakatani N, Ho CT. Novel trisaccharide fatty acid ester identified from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia (Noni). J Agric Food Chem. 1999 Dec;47(12):4880-2.
8. Hirazumi A, Furusawa E. An immunomodulatory polysaccharide-rich substance from the fruit juice of Morinda citrifolia (noni) with antitumour activity. Phytother Res. 1999 Aug;13(5):380-7.
9. Hirazumi A, Furusawa E, Chou SC, Hokama Y. Immunomodulation contributes to the anticancer activity of morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit juice. Proc West Pharmacol Soc. 1996;39:7-9.
10. Hirazumi A, Furusawa E, Chou SC, Hokama Y. Anticancer activity of Morinda citrifolia (noni) on intraperitoneally implanted Lewis lung carcinoma in syngeneic mice. Proc West Pharmacol Soc. 1994;37:145-6.