Often referred to as noni or ba ji tian, morinda is a vine with twining stems and white flowers that exists in two species: Morinda citrifolia, which can be found in Polynesia, Malaysia and Australia and Morinda officinalis, which grows in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia. Both species are used to make noni juice and the roots are parts used in herbal medicine..

For centuries, morinda has been used to enhance overall health and to treat a number of different symptoms including high blood pressure, immune deficiency, poor digestion and respiratory problems. Morinda increases endurance, stamina and energy and can help treat impotence and increase fertility by stimulating sexual function.

Morinda's antioxidant properties help the kidneys flush toxins from the body by increasing urine flow. It also works to correct protein and cell structure.

Morinda can be used to treat the following conditions:

Rheumatoid arthritis - By reducing pain and swelling and strengthening bones and ligaments as well as clearing inflammatory conditions, morinda can help those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Depression - Research has shown morinda to have antidepressant properties as well as the ability to increase male sexual function, unlike pharmaceutical antidepressants. The xeronine in morinda brings about a feeling of well-being by opening brain receptor sites and letting in more of the hormone endorphin. The sugars which have antidepressant properties have been identified in morinda by Chinese scientists. They are inulin, succinic acid and nystose.

Menstrual problems - While the reasons still remain unclear, morinda also helps soothe irregular menstrual periods. In fact, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the herb has remained a top recommendation for such cases for almost 2,000 years.

Cancer - Within the fruit juice of morinda citrifolia is a polysaccharide-rich substance known as noni-ppt, which holds anti-tumor properties. According to a study conducted at the University of Hawaii, therapeutic use of morinda greatly increased the lifespan of mice with lung tumors.

You can find morinda in tea and capsule form. For results with morinda to be seen, it must be taken consistently for six to eight weeks.

* Important notes: When taking the capsules, it best to take morinda with meals three times each day. If dribbling or difficult urination occur, morinda should be avoided.

It is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner prior to using Morinda or any alternative therapies. Any recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.