Noni
Parts Used & Where Grown
Native to Polynesia, the noni plant (also known as Indian mulberry) is a small tree that usually grows to a height of ten feet. The fruit, which starts out green and turns yellow, is used medicinally.
How It Works
The major constituents in noni appear to be polysaccharides and a compound known as damnacanthal.1,2,3 The developer of a commercial noni product claims the alkaloid xeronine is an important constituent, but there has been no confirmation by independent researchers. Animal and test tubes studies show noni to have immune-enhancing activity, and an earlier animal study seemed to indicate the fruit exerts a mild sedative effect.4,5,6 Specifically, the polysaccharide component has been shown to increase the release of immune-enhancing compounds that activate white blood cells. Also, damnacanthal is thought to be responsible for producing sedative effects in animal studies.