Morinda officinalis - Ba Ji Tian

Common Names: Morinda, Morinda root, Ba Ji Tian, Indian mulberry, Noni, Morinda citrifolia, Chinese Morinda, Morinda officinalis, Indian Noni, Morinda radix

Latin Name: Morinda officinalis

Origin: Asia, Australia

Short Introduction

Morinda is relatively easy to cultivate when temperatures remain slightly above 20°C and annual rainfall is around 1500 mm. It thrives in deep, loose, clay-rich soils, with yields reaching up to 30 kg of root per plant. Morinda is highly tolerant and can grow even in poor soils with mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH. The plant can also withstand short-term extreme weather fluctuations, strong winds, high temperatures, flooding, or frequent rains. Though typically grown in open fields today, it can also be found in forested areas. Morinda prefers sandy-clay heavy soils and develops high-quality roots with water beads on their surface. In some cultures and agricultural regions, Morinda is regarded as a weedy species because its vigorous growth may limit other, less tolerant plants. Young seedlings prefer cloudy weather or shaded understory near water sources to ensure ample moisture. Wild Morinda can be harvested from natural stands or carefully cultivated for at least three years from flowering. Seedlings should be planted in soil at least 20 cm deep and 0.5–2.0 meters wide for proper expansion. Ripe Morinda fruit is yellow to red and, once harvested, should be thoroughly peeled and washed before use.

Detailed Description

Morinda officinalis is a cherished herb in traditional Chinese medicine, widely recognized for supporting the reproductive system of both men and women.

Botanical Information

Morinda officinalis appears as a small climbing shrub or tree, notable for its large, thick, cylindrical, succulent pink roots of irregular shape harvested in spring or sometimes in autumn. The stem typically has a gentle vertical inclination and, when young, is heavily hairy. Leaves are oval to slightly pointed at the tip, measuring 5–15 cm in length and 1.5–5 cm in width. Flowers form clusters of 2–10, with fleshy, white petals sometimes up to 1 cm long. The fruit is a nearly spherical drupe, 5–15 mm in diameter, irregular, containing 3–6 compartments, and turns red when ripe.

Origin and Distribution

Morinda officinalis is originally from Malaysia and the Australian region, but it became widespread in East Asia—particularly in China, India, and various Southeast Asian countries. Today, it is mainly cultivated in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian. Across the Pacific and the Philippines, Morinda is widely used in traditional medicine and is seen as a backbone of indigenous healing practices. Another related species, Morinda citrifolia, sometimes mistaken for Morinda officinalis, is common in inland Indonesia and along the Australian coast.

Usage / Dosage

Morinda is highly valued in folk medicine. Over centuries of regular use, traditional recommendations emerged suggesting Morinda's benefits for impotence, increasing libido, and infertility. Ba Ji Tian is also noted for its stimulating effect, fatigue reduction, and ability to boost physical vitality. It's recommended for muscle wasting and, combined with an exercise regimen, can help increase physical strength. Folk healers also recommend it for mental issues and depression, as it is believed to promote the release of melatonin and serotonin in brain regions responsible for mood, potentially supporting a greater sense of happiness.

Traditional use also includes joint and limb pain, by reducing sensitivity to pain transmission (an analgesic effect), as well as a mild anti-rheumatic effect. It is used for women with osteoporosis during menopause and helps balance the menstrual cycle in women in middle age. Animal studies showed no significant effects in immature mice, but in adults, oral administration for 11 days influenced reproductive glands and increased white blood cell counts.

Generally regarded as safe, Morinda root tastes mildly spicy, warm, and sweet. In traditional Chinese medicine, Morinda root enters the kidney and liver meridians to support reproductive function (especially yin strengthening) and may help in conditions caused by overexertion and the dispersal of wind and dampness in the body. It also eases swelling in the lower limbs. Morinda root additionally strengthens kidney yang, supports tendons and bones, and treats kidney yang deficiency manifesting as erectile dysfunction, fertility loss, menstrual issues, and pain in the lower limbs. Other indications include poor digestion, high blood pressure, respiratory issues, and reduced immune function due to disharmony in the kidney meridian.

Morinda contains abundant vitamin C, helping strengthen the immune system and fight infections as an antioxidant. It also supports kidney function, promoting natural plasma excretion and blood purification, which may slightly lower high blood pressure and enhance elimination of toxins and wastes. Chinese analytical reports detail two polysaccharides (inulin and nystose with succinic acid) present in Morinda, believed to improve general wellbeing and possibly increase endorphin concentrations in targeted brain synapses.

For centuries, Morinda-based preparations have helped with irregular menstrual cycles, painful attacks in joints and upper limb muscles, swelling in the lower limbs, relaxation of urinary tract spasms, and incontinence. In various traditional cultures, Morinda is also seen as a detoxifying herb that helps relieve rheumatic pain, joint inflammation, and pain associated with these disorders. Elderly patients are recommended to use Morinda for urinary retention, compromised mobility, and muscle density loss.

Active Compounds

Morinda root contains saccharides, glycosides, flavones, triterpenoid steroids, amino acids, organic acids, cardioglycosides, anthraquinones, and minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, plus 16 other elements more concentrated in the root bark. Other identified ingredients include rubiadin, monotropein, beta-sitosterol, palmitic acid, nonadecalactone, dimethylalkan, rubiadin-1-methyl ether, various unclassified polysaccharides, resins, vitamin C, and 11 free amino acids.

Traditional Dosage

Traditional Chinese medicine recommends taking 5–10 g of thoroughly washed Morinda (Ba Ji Tian) root, simmered in about 300 ml of water and allowed to cool to 60°C, then strained and sipped once daily. The decoction should be boiled for 10–15 minutes. The root can also be eaten on its own due to its pleasant taste. Classical Chinese herbals suggest simmering 10–15 g of root in 3–4 cups of water, reducing the liquid by half, then dividing the dose between morning and evening or consuming all at once, with the schedule best determined by a trained practitioner in traditional Chinese medicine.