Polynesians were aware of the medicinal uses of
noni for thousands of years, however, noni did not explode onto the commercial
market until the late 1990s. Testimonials about the numerous health
benefits of noni promoted its widespread acceptance into the herbal community.
Although traditional uses of noni have been preserved, proponents of this plant
now claim that noni can be used to treat the following conditions: AIDS, Ebstein-Barr
viral infection, cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart
disease, cholesterol, hypertension, rheumatism, psoriasis, allergies, sinus
infections, menstrual cramps, arthritis, ulcers, sprains, injuries, depression,
senility, poor digestion, atherosclerosis, addiction, headache, corneal
scratches, fibromyalgia, and lupus. Due to its believed immunomodulary effects, noni
is often recommended as a supplement to improve overall immune status and
maintain good health. It is generally considered to be an antibacterial,
antioxidant, analgesic, blood purifier, and immune system builder. One must note, however, that
there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
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| Noni Capsules |
Noni Juice, Soap,
Capsules |
Noni pills |
Noni Tea |
In
1998, a company that manufactures noni products was charged by the Attorney
General of several states with making unsupported claims about the conditions
and diseases noni treated. They were ordered to stop advertising these health
claims until they could provide scientific evidence for such claims and receive
FDA approval.
In
2002, the FDA warned several companies to stop making claims since proof was
still not submitted to the FDA. However, such health claims about the benefits
of noni are still being made on the Internet and other advertising venues.
Noni juice is perhaps the most commonly marketed
form of the noni plant. Manufacturing of noni juices is accomplished
through a variety of methods that may or may not include fermentation,
squeezing, and drip-extraction. The traditional method of obtaining noni
juice in Hawaii is by placing fully ripened fruits into clean glass jars.
Enough fresh water is added to the jar to cover the fruits. The lid is
tightly sealed and the jar and its contents are allowed to decompose. The
jar may be kept in the refrigerator or left out in the sun. After several
days, the liquid in the jar may be decanted and consumed. The usual dosage
is approximately one tablespoon to one cup of liquid per day.
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