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Nature

Noni

What is noni?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Scientific name Morinda citrifolia[1]
Family Rubiaceae[1]
Origin Southeast Asia[1]
Introduced to India and Polynesia[1]
Type Small tree or shrub[1]

Noni is the common name for *Morinda citrifolia*, a tropical plant from Southeast Asia and Polynesia, known for its fruit, which is used in traditional medicine and consumed as juice.

Context

Noni (*Morinda citrifolia*) is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia, later introduced to India and Polynesia [1]. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and grows as a small tree or shrub [1]. The fruit has pale green skin, white pulp, many seeds, a bitter taste, and a strong odor [2]. Traditionally, noni has been used in medicine, and it is consumed in forms like juice, raw, cooked, capsules, or tea [3]. While some sources attribute various health benefits to noni, one source notes that there is no scientific evidence for all claimed properties [3]. The plant has spread pantropically to tropical areas [4].

Documented claims

  • Noni is used in traditional medicine. [3]
  • The fruit has a bitter taste and strong odor. [2]
  • Noni is distributed pantropically. [4]

Questions and answers

What does noni do for the body?

Sources mention attributed benefits, but one source states there is no scientific evidence for all claimed properties [3].

What is noni fruit called in English?

The common English name is noni, and it is also known by other names like guanábana cimarrona, fruta del diablo, fruta del paraíso, and mora de la India [1].

Sources

  1. Propiedades nutricionales y beneficios del “noni” — salud.mapfre.es (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. El noni, qué es y cómo se consume - The Gourmet Journal — thegourmetjournal.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Noni: el superalimento para una mayor resistencia y vitalidad — biotona.be (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. El noni - Morinda citrifolia - nutricional y medicinal - MundoForestal — elmundoforestal.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature