Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

safety

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to noni or its constituents.

Side Effects and Warnings

Overall, noni has had very few reported side effects. Although noni roots are known to contain liver-damaging anthraquinones, recent research indicates that noni fruit also contains anthraquinones.

There is one report of acquired coumarin resistance caused by increased vitamin K intake through ingestion of a noni juice product. However, the product appeared to be vitamin K fortified and contained >115 components from several plants. (Note: Noni juice/fruit itself is not a source of vitamin K; it would therefore be unsubstantiated to draw any conclusions concerning a potential warfarin/coumarin interaction with noni from this case report).

Noni juice may cause elevated lactate dehydrogenase and elevated transaminases.

Potassium concentrations of the noni juice samples were found to be similar to potassium levels in orange and tomato juice. Patients with kidney disease may wish to avoid noni products. Effects in individuals with normal kidney function are not known.

Use cautiously in patients with injuries or post-surgery, as noni may have antiangiogenic properties (prevent new vessel growth).

Avoid in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, as noni may decrease gastric transit time.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Noni is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

dosing

Adults (18 years and older):

There is no proven safe or effective dose for noni in adults. However, 1 ounce every 12 hours has been used. As an antioxidant 2 ounces of Tahitian Noni® juice twice daily for 30 days has been used; for hearing loss, 2 ounces of noni juice twice daily (morning and evening) for three months has been used.

Noni is likely safe when taken orally from preparations of fruits and leaves of the noni plant or when ≤10 grams of ripe noni fruit extract is taken daily for up to 28 days. Noni is possibly unsafe when ≥10 grams of ripe noni fruit extract is taken daily for more than 28 days.

Children (younger than 18 years):

There is no proven safe or effective dose for noni in children.

interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Noni may decrease gastric transit time and patients taking any medication by mouth should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for any intereactions.

Based on laboratory studies, noni may prevent new vessel growth. Caution is advised when taking noni with other antiangiogenic agents.

Although not well studied in humans, a vitamin K-fortified juice product containing noni and >115 components from several other plants may have caused acquired coumarin resistance. Noni juice/fruit itself is not a source for vitamin K. It is unlikely that noni would interact with anticoagulants ("blood thinnes"), although caution is advised.

Although not well studied in humans, noni roots and various noni root extracts may lower blood pressure. Noni has also shown anti-inflammatory properties, and may interact with other agents with similar effects.

Noni may be hepatotoxic, and caution is advised when combining with other potentially liver damaging agents. Studies have been inconclusive in this area, and clinical significance is currently unknown.

Noni may stimulate the immune system. It may have either no effect or suppressive effects on HIV. When taking with immunostimulants or HIV medications, additive effects may occur, although this is not yet well proven.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Noni may decrease gastric transit time and patients taking any herb or supplement by mouth should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for any interactions.