By Florita S. Maslog, PhD
Scientific Advisor Emeritus, Philippine Morinda Citrifolia, Inc.
Adapted for general readers by the PhilNONI editorial team from Dra. Maslog's account, and reviewed and approved by the author.
________________________________
If you grew up near a Philippine beach or a backyard garden, you may know this fruit by its smell before its name. Lumpy, greenish-yellow and famously pungent (often compared to blue cheese), it is called apatot in Ilocano. Scientists know it as Morinda citrifolia (family Rubiaceae), and much of the world calls it noni.
Here is a quick tour of where apatot comes from, how it has traditionally been used, and what research has and has not shown.
One plant, many names
In the Philippines, apatot is also known as tumbong-aso, bangkuro, nino and tueng-aso. Travel and the names multiply, according to StuartXchange, a long-running database of Philippine medicinal plants:
- Polynesia and Hawaii: noni
- Indonesia and Malaysia: mengkudu
- India: Indian mulberry, or "painkiller tree"
- Brunei and Australia: cheese fruit (Australians also call it vomit fruit, which tells you something about the aroma)
- China: Hai Bo Ji
- Cuba and the Dominican Republic: Mora de la India
Where apatot grows
Apatot is a small evergreen tree or shrub with large, glossy green leaves. Cut the fruit open and you find rows of seeds that float on water. That buoyancy is how the plant spreads naturally along coasts and waterways.
According to Ateneo Wild, an urban biodiversity project launched in 2018 at Ateneo de Manila University, its native habitat includes sandy coasts and tropical lowlands: Central Luzon, Pangasinan, Argao in Cebu, Puerto Galera in Mindoro, and the Pacific coast of Bicol. It also thrives in secondary forests, home gardens (like the Contado family lot in Los Baños, Laguna) and even city campuses.
Apatot is also good for its neighbors. Bats feed on the pulp and help disperse the seeds, a reminder that rich, functional biodiversity exists even inside concrete cities, and that native species deserve protection.
How apatot has been used traditionally
According to RxList, noni has been part of traditional Polynesian medicine for roughly 2,000 years. Almost every part of the plant has a folk use:
- Leaves: poultices and pastes applied to cuts, burns, bruises and sores; young leaves eaten boiled or stir-fried; mature leaves used to wrap fish or meat for cooking
- Ripe fruit: mashed into a gargle for sore throats, or applied to boils, wounds and cracked skin
- Unripe fruit: applied to sores in and around the mouth
- Bark and roots: used in traditional preparations; root juice has also been used as a red and yellow cloth dye
- Seed oil: used as an insect repellent
These are traditional uses of the raw plant, mostly applied to the skin. They are not proven treatments, and they do not describe PhilNONI juice.
What the research says
Modern researchers have looked closely at noni. Reviews of its chemistry (Liu et al., 2024) and its potential role in metabolic health (Chen et al., 2025) summarize what is known so far. The fruit contains anthraquinones, iridoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids and polysaccharides. These compounds are being studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, mostly in laboratory settings.
In 2023 I published a study in the Silliman Journal identifying the compound groups present in the Philippine variety: Isolation of Phytochemical Components Present in Philippine Morinda citrifolia Variety (PhilNONI). You can find it, with my other published work, on our Research page.
Laboratory analyses of the fruit show it is about 90% water, with protein, dietary fiber, sugars, and minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Noni juice is often fermented with lactic acid bacteria, which shapes its flavor and aroma and extends its shelf life.
An honest summary: noni is an interesting plant with a lot of chemistry worth studying, and many popular claims still lack strong evidence in people.
Who should talk to a doctor first
Noni isn't right for everyone. Please check with your doctor or primary care physician before using it if any of these apply to you (see also our Facts & Safety page):
- Liver concerns. A causal link to liver problems hasn't been established, but it's wise to ask your doctor first.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Evidence is limited, so it's best to avoid noni during these periods.
- Kidney disease. Noni is high in potassium, which can matter if your kidneys are affected.
- Blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitors, ARBs and other antihypertensives). Noni's potassium and possible blood-pressure-lowering effect may add to the medication's effect.
- Blood thinners such as warfarin. Noni may interfere with how well they work.
- Chemotherapy. Always clear it with your oncologist first.
- Blood sugar concerns. Check the label for any added sugars before you drink noni juice.
The bottom line
Apatot is a deeply Filipino plant: a coastal native with a long folk history, a loyal following among bats, and a growing body of laboratory research. Appreciate it for what it is, stay curious, and when in doubt, ask your doctor.
References
- Liu, X., et al. (2024). Noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit and by-products: A comprehensive review of its chemical compositions, health-promoting effects, safety assessment and industrial applications. Trends in Food Science & Technology. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104690
- Sharma, Y., et al. (2014). Noni: A new medicinal plant for the tropics. African Journal of Plant Science, 8(5), 243-247. doi:10.5897/AJPS11.205
- Chen, H. L., et al. (2025). Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) and its potential in the management of systemic metabolic disorder. Food & Function, 16(24), 9300-9343.
- Maslog, F. S. (2023). Isolation of Phytochemical Components Present in Philippine Morinda citrifolia Variety (PhilNONI). Silliman Journal, 64(2), 9-24.
- Ateneo Wild, Ateneo de Manila University (urban biodiversity project, launched 2018).
- StuartXchange, Philippine Medicinal Plants.
- RxList, Noni.
No approved therapeutic claims. This article is for information only. PhilNONI is a food supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
MABISANG PANG-KALUSUGAN / PAALALA: Ang produktong ito ay food supplement at HINDI GAMOT, at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit.