Nuna, bartundi in Hindi, is noni or Indian mulberry, a small coastal tree whose lumpy, pale fruit smells strongly of rotting cheese when ripe. Since the 1990s noni juice has been sold worldwide with sweeping health claims that research does not support. Its roots gave the red aal dye of old South Indian textiles. Noni juice is high in potassium and has been linked to rare cases of liver injury.
- Botanical name
- Morinda citrifolia L.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Tamil
- Nuna
- Hindi
- Bartundi
- Sanskrit
- Aśyuka
- Parts used
- Fruit, Leaves, Root bark in dye lists
- Habit
- Coastal noni shrub; its fruit juice is a modern trade product
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Noni
It is a shrub or small evergreen tree, usually three to ten metres, with four-angled young shoots.
The leaves are large, glossy, dark green and oval, with prominent veins.
Small white, tubular flowers grow from a round, green head.
The fruit is a lumpy, potato-sized syncarp, green turning pale yellow-white, soft and very smelly when ripe.
Inside are many small seeds with air pockets that let them float.
Traditional use of Noni
Dyeing
Root bark gave the red aal dye used for cotton in South India before synthetic dyes.
South Indian textile history
Kitchen
In the Pacific the fruit was eaten in famine, and young leaves are cooked in parts of South-east Asia.
Pacific and South-east Asian food practice
Folk use
Leaves are used as poultices in Pacific island folk practice.
Pacific folk practice
Modern notes on Noni
The European Union approved pasteurised noni juice as a novel food in 2003, after a safety review.
Several cases of liver injury have been reported in people drinking noni juice.
Noni juice is high in potassium, which can be dangerous for people with kidney disease.
Claims that noni prevents or treats serious diseases are not supported by clinical trials.
Noni safety
People with kidney or liver disease, or taking potassium-raising medicines, should avoid noni juice. Stop it and see a doctor if you notice yellowing of the eyes or dark urine.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows on tropical coasts from India and South-east Asia to the Pacific islands.
Its floating seeds spread by sea.
It tolerates salt, poor soil and drought.
Related plants
Also in Rubiaceae
Questions about Noni
What is noni?
The fruit of Morinda citrifolia.
Why does noni smell bad?
Ripe fruit releases strong-smelling fatty acids.
Is noni juice safe?
For most people in small amounts, but not for kidney or liver patients.
What dye comes from Noni?
A red root dye called aal.
Does noni cure disease?
No reliable evidence shows that.
Sources
- Morinda citrifolia L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q234238 (Morinda citrifolia)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.