Happy Celebrations to All...

Although the world seems in turmoil and strife, we have many things to be thankful for. If we focus on the bad stuff all the time…like watching the news, or entertaining self-defeating thoughts…that’s all we will see. If we can focus on the good in our lives, we will discover how really blessed we are with friends and such wonderful pets. We can still make our world a more peaceful place to live for all, by practicing peace at home, in our jobs, and with our close relationships.

I wish you all peace, love, and a fulfilling Holiday Season with your pets and loved ones.

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Don't Forget!

Tune in every Saturday on Kauai’s own listener-supported radio station, 91.9 fm, from 9-10 a.m. HST (11a.m. – 12 p.m. PST) or online at www.kkcr.org for the most recent updates in natural healing news and information.

We focus and explore animal health and nutrition, science and technology, the state of ecology and the environment, and what’s happening with animals on the local scene. We also share recipes, tips, and news that will help you and your pets stay healthy.

Call in (toll free) with your questions, comments, issues, and dilemmas: 1-866-275-1112

Thank you for listening!

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Pet Shampoo Recipe:  “Christmas Blend”

This shampoo will be safe for both cats and dogs. Besides the pleasant smell that permeates the air, Christmas Blend will help to kill & repel fleas, control the growth of bacteria and yeast on the skin, and keep your pets smelling clean.

Ingredients:
12 oz of Baby Shampoo or Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap
4 oz Aloe Vera Juice
2 oz Witch Hazel
1 oz Glycerin
½ teaspoon Cinnamon bark oil
½ teaspoon Orange oil
½ teaspoon Peppermint oil
1 oz Canned Coconut milk (see Asian Food section of your Supermarket)
2 Tablespoons of fresh Lemon Juice.

Directions:
Mix all the essential oils with your coconut milk, and add this mixture to the shampoo. Mix aloe, witch hazel, lemon juice, and glycerin all together and add to the rest of the shampoo. Shake well and use. Always make sure you rinse the shampoo off completely, since the oils can cause irritation if left on too long. IF you are a person sensitive to essential oils, you may need to wear gloves when bathing your pets. Always wash off any residual suds off from your hands with running water.

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Japanese Pet Owners Go Holistic

Back from the Land of the Rising Sun. I have just returned from giving talks in Japan. Participants “ate up” both seminars whole-heartedly: 5 Keys to Health and Yin/Yang Diets for Japanese Dogs.

Dog and cat owners are very interested in feeding home prepared diets for their pets; because they believe it is healthier than any food commercially produced. When I discussed how home foods could be used and recycled into a fresh and healthy diet, they were all very excited. Pet owners want more options for health care and prevention.  The Holistic movement is growing in the Japanese pet owner population, especially among women.

The Japanese health conscious people have been driving up the market for Beverages containing functional nutrition for the past 15 years. Drinks laden with ginseng, B vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals have been very popular in Japan, in contrast to the stimulant caffeine drinks and sodas popular in the US.

The source of “Holistic” medicine is Oriental medicine and philosophy, but because Japanese veterinarians are trained in only “Western” conventional medicine, other methods of healing have been forgotten.

More and more veterinarians in Japan are pursuing studies in acupuncture, and are investigating therapies such as aromatherapy, nutraceutical and nutritional therapy, massage, and Japanese herbal medicine.

One veterinarian, Dr. Katsumi Honma, plans to fill the void by offering Holistic information and services in all 20 plus veterinary clinics throughout Japan. His URL is:  http://www.petclinic.co.jp

Besides contracting me to teach his staff and veterinarians about formulating diets and using supplements, Dr. Honma has contracted professional animal behaviorists, dog trainers, animal communicators, and experts in aromatherapy to provide the services that clients have been asking for into his group of clinics.

Besides veterinary services, dog training and grooming, Dr. Honma provides clients with a free neck massage while they wait, the opportunity to dine with their pets at his clinic restaurant, or enjoy a dip with their dogs in his natural hot springs pool.

Although we did see a few larger pure bred dogs, the average dog in Japan weighs only 15lbs. Only about 40% of the population of dogs actually sees a veterinarian. 

More than 50% of pet owners in Japan feed their dogs and cats table scraps…over cries from their veterinarians who want them to buy expensive commercial food.

Of the several dog and cat owners I interviewed while in Japan, most fed their pets left over vegetables, rice, and fish scraps...All looked very healthy to me.

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Holiday Kitty Snack Recipe:  Shrimp Burgers

Ingredients:
½ cup of raw hamburger
½ teaspoon shrimp paste (see Asian food section of grocery)
¼ cup shelled, washed in hot water, and minced shrimp
½ teaspoon catnip

Directions:
Mix shrimp paste with the catnip and then hand work it into the hamburger.

Add minced shrimp to the hamburger mix and make into little meat balls.

These can be fed raw, or baked at 425° F for 10 minutes

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Cats n’ Christmas trees = Disasters waiting to happen?

Cats are especially attracted to Christmas trees. Any opportunity to climb and explore something new in the household like a decorated Christmas tree brings fun and adventure to most cats.  But a cats’ curiosity can get them in trouble from chewing on the wrong ‘something’. So just like little children and toddlers, cats and especially kittens, need to be supervised around Christmas trees and decorations. 

Never leave a cat (or young child) unsupervised. Many ornaments from foreign countries may be painted with lead based paints. Keep these out of the mouths of cats, puppies, and kids.

Do not encourage cats to play with tinsel. They may chew and swallow pieces that may get stuck in the intestinal tract and will need surgical intervention to remove them-as will pieces of plastic, ornaments, and wire.

This is a good time to give your cat better choices for fun, like a catnip mouse, feather toys, or kid safe rubber balls. Ping pong balls are great fun with cats.

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Bird care during the Holidays

Birds are very sensitive creatures and can easily get stressed by changes to their environment. Parties and gatherings, especially around the holidays, can bring lots of noise and stress into your birds’ environment. Here are a few tips to help Polly feel contented during the chaos:

Avoid high traffic areas - don’t put your bird “in the line of fire”. This means away from doorways, noisy areas full of guests, and the blaring television, etc.
Beware strangers bearing gifts - instruct children not to try to feed your bird any holiday treats which can cause intestinal upset.
Find a quiet getaway - put your bird in a bedroom or other quiet room and try using a blue or green light bulb in your bedroom lamp. Birds respond well to these calming colors.

In general, your bird will deal with its stress by exhibiting nervous behavior such as feather picking. If your bird is a chronic feather-picker with no physical cause determined by your veterinarian, you can often improve this behavior by reducing the stress your bird is exposed to. This matter will be discussed further in future newsletters…

Placing your bird in a back bedroom with the blue or green light on will help decrease stress and anxiety. Aromatherapy may help some birds by using flowers or fragrances from places the birds originated from. (i.e. Passion flower, gardenia, or sandal wood= tropical birds and Bach Flowers, rose, and chamomile=other birds)

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Aromatherapy for your Pet Bird

To make a scent, simply put 5 drops of an essential oil mixed with 4 oz of aloe vera juice and water, in a mini spray mister bottle and spray a few shots around the room, but not directly on the bird. Put the green or blue light on and leave. 

If Rock ‘n Roll music is playing in other rooms, play some light Opera, Mozart clarinet concertos, or any mellow classical music in the room with the birds.

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Holiday Doggie Treat: Cheesy Meatballs

Ingredients:
1 cup raw hamburger
½ cup of ground pork or turkey
1 raw egg
2 Tablespoons of water
1 Tablespoon Brewer’s Yeast
1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
¼ cup of Bread Crumbs

Directions:

Mix Brewer’s Yeast and Parmesan cheese with the Bread crumbs and set aside. Scramble the egg with the water, and add to the bread crumb mixture and mix well. Mix and blend the raw ground meats together and add to bread crumb mixture. Make into bite-size meat balls, place them on a cooking sheet, and Heat them at 425° F for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let them cool in the oven.

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What’s Up and What’s New with Polynesian Noni?

History
Noni is the common name for Morinda citrifolia and is also called Indian Mulberry, Ba Ji Tian, Nono or Nonu, Cheese Fruit, and Nhau in various cultures throughout the world.  The Noni plant has been used by the Polynesian culture as a strong and broad spectrum medicinal herb and food for over 2000 years. The medical knowledge and pharmacopoeia of the Polynesians is now believed to have been fairly complex and modern scientific and medical communities are beginning to study the plants compiled from this knowledge.

The fruit of Morinda citrifolia has a long history or use in tropical regions throughout the Pacific as a food and as a medicine.  Captain James Cook (the first Caucasian to discover Hawaii) noted in the late 1700’s that the fruit was eaten in Tahiti.  A 1866 publication in London explained that noni fruit was consumed as a food in the Fiji Islands.  In later publications in the 19th century this fruit was found to be essential throughout the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India.

In Roratonga and Samoa the fruit was often eaten by the natives and considered a “survival food”. Australian Aborigines were reported to be very fond of the fruit.  In Burma, the fruit was cooked in curries or eaten raw with salt.  Because the raw fruit is hard and difficult to eat, I assume they were eating it raw but “ripe” and fermented.

In 1943, Merrill described Morinda citrifolia as an edible plant in his technical manual of edible and poisonous plants of the Pacific Islands, in which the leaves and fruits could be used as emergency food.. The leaves being bitter when raw were probably either steamed or cooked with other vegetables, fish or meat.

Abbott also reported that Noni had been used as a food, drink, medicine, and colorful dye from the roots to make Tapa cloth.  The medicinal history and accumulated scientific studies, to date, show promise and have confirmed the Polynesian's claim of the health benefits of Noni. Recent studies show its potential in the treatment of human breast cancer and many other diseases.

Ethnobotany: Cultural Medicinal Uses
For centuries the fruit has been used for the treatment of many aliments including: kidney disease, diabetes, fish poisoning tonsillitis, abdominal swelling, burns, broken bones, and inflammation of the toes and fingers. How can this be? Local Hawaiian healers (La au lapa au) use the fruit juice to treat hypertension, diabetes, kidney and liver ailments and cancer. The leaf was also used for abscesses, infections, broken, and painful wounds The fresh leaf provides instant pain relief.
           
During the early sugar plantation days, Noni fruit was juiced with two other herbs Uhaloa (Waltheria Americana) and Ohia lehua (the red bottlebrush tree Native only to Hawaii) and sweetened with sugarcane and coconut milk to treat tuberculosis. Although today Hawaiians have been using the fermented juice extract as medicine, before the Chinese came to Polynesia, they only ate the fruit raw, and did not ferment it.. When the Chinese came to Polynesia  (as laborers in the sugar cane fields) they brought with them  glassware. Because they had a history of fermenting every thing under the sun to preserve herbs longer, they introduced the fermentation of Noni fruits. 

Noni (Morinda citrifolia) How Does it Work?
Known as a Hawaiian or Tahitian medicine plant. noni has been in use for many centuries all across the Pacific.  It is reported to have a broad range of therapeutic effects including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-tumor, anthelmintic, analgesic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, and immune enhancing effects.  Where is the research?

Dr. RM Heinicke was the first well known researcher of Noni who discovered the plant alkaloid xeronine, similar to bromelain found in pineapple and Noni.  Xeronine is a natural enzyme found in plants, animals, and microorganisms.  He postulated that diseases may be caused due to a deficiency of xeronine. Each cell has a receptor cite for absorbing xeronine.  Xeronine helps to activate proteins and enzymes such as pro-collagenase and protease which help heal damaged tissues and facilitate healing.  He also concluded that the ingestion of noni caused a feeling of well being because it increased the release of endorphins from the brain. Because of the complexity of xeronine and its potential to react with other proteins, he recommended taking Noni fruit juice on an empty stomach.

Dr. Mian Ying Wang performed extensive research on Noni together with the Tahitian NoniTM company. Much of my references for this paper came from his works which are listed in the reference section of this paper..His greatest contribution was bringing to light Noni’s cancer fighting effects. He postulated that smokers could prevent lung cancer by taking noni because of its strong antioxidant effects on lung tissue.. His treatise on Noni Morinda citrifolia (Noni): A Literature Review and Recent Advances in Noni Research is a great resource on the benefits of noni with about 137 references. (See References).

Dr Brain Issell of the University of Hawaii is currently undergoing Phase II of his cancer trials in humans.  Phase I demonstrated that the Quality of Life of his patients improved.  For the past 2 ½ years, he has been working with noni  trying to establish or find a toxic level for noni in laboratory animals and  the Cancer patients in his study .  He has been giving the patients unfermented, whole fruit of noni in a dehydrated capsule form, not fermented juice. In his human study, he began dosing at 1 gram of noni per day then later, up to 40 grams per day with no negative side effects. After 4-10 grams all of his cancer patients reported pain relief.  The patient’s, quality of life and physical well being went from negative to positive. Even people’s moods changed from depression to one of well being.

He has concluded that Noni is very safe with no side-effects. . He stated that the FDA let him go straight to human patients in his study since there has been no known negative side effects to noni use reported in 2000 years.   Recently, he had identified 3 more new compounds in noni pulp that are known cancer inhibitors.  (Details to be published later.)

Main Constituents / Mechanisms of actions

The plant contains a broad spectrum of nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, anti-parasitic, and immune modulating substances. 

The quality of the herb and its nutritional components contained in the plants are directly related to how and where the plant is grown. Concentrations of active constituents rely heavily on the quality of the soil, water, and the geographical location, terrain and the weather.  In general, plants growing in their undisturbed Natural environments (“in the wild”) have a higher concentration of nutrients and phytochemicals, than those grown on plantations. Weather changes such as drought can adversely affect the concentration of the plants. Kauai leather Noni is the only product that is organic at this writing.         

A number of major components have been identified in the Noni plant thus far; many more are still waiting to be discovered.

• scopoletin, (analgesic)
• octoanoic acid, amino acids caproic acid, caprylic acid, ursolic acid,
• terpenoids, alkaloids, proxeronine, sitosterol,
• anthraquinones (such as nordamnacanthal, morindone, rubiadin, and rubiadin-1 methyl ether, anthraquinone glycoside),
• 1-methoxy-2-formyl-3-hydroxyanthraquinone from the roots (antiviral)
• carotene, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, rutin, flavone glycosides, linoleic acid,
• Alizarin, , acubin, L-asperuloside, (Antibacterial :Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus morgaii, Staph aureus, Bacillis subtiltis, E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella)
• polysaccharides (-6-O- (beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose and asperulosidic acid) Anti-tumor

Mechanisms of Action

I.  Immune System / Immunomodulators / Anti-Tumor Effects   
Noni suppresses tumor growth through the activation of the immune system by releasing: TNF (tumor necrosis factor), alpha interleukin 1 beta, and interleukins 10,12,p70, interferon-Y and nitric oxide.     Improved survival times were noted when noni was combined with suboptimal doses of chemotherapeutic agents such as adriamcin, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and vincristine suggesting important clinical applications of noni as a supplemental agent in the treatment of cancer.           

Studies performed with Tahitian Brand Noni Juice demonstrated synergistic effects with prednisolone and Taxol increasing the amount of apoptotic cells significantly. When a single dose of Taxol induced a lower percentage of apoptosis in leukemia cells, noni juice enhanced the rate of apoptosis to 100 %. This data indicates that noni juice is able to enhance the effects of other chemotherapeutic drugs (IMO, possibly plants).The results of these studies lead us to believe that we should be able “to decrease the dose of synthetic anticancer drugs, increase the tolerance of patients to the toxicity of anticancer drugs, and increase immune function. This creates a new method in treating cancer patients”, stated Dr. Mian Ying Wang.  

In vitro breast cancer studies, noni juice stimulated angiogenesis and apoptosis. Early stage breast carcinomas DMBA induced in rats were quelled with a 5% Tahitian Noni Juice administration, suggesting the use of noni for breast cancer prevention.

In 1992, Dr. Hirazumi, a researcher at the University of Hawaii, reported anticancer activity from the alcohol-precipitate of Noni fruit juice on lung cancer in C57 Bl/6 mice at the 83th Annual Meeting of American Association for Cancer Research. The noni juice was shown to significantly prolong the life of mice up to 75 % with implanted Lewis lung carcinoma compared with the control group.  He postulated that this was due to the immune system stimulation by the noni.

II. Antioxidant actions                                                                                                       

Mian-Ying Wang concluded that because noni has antioxidant effects stronger than Vit C and pycnogenol, it would be beneficial in preventing many diseases such as: atherosclerosis, heart disease, asthma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and liver failure.  Noni fruit juice (10% concentration) demonstrated to be a potent free-radical scavenger in heart 30%, lung 42%, liver 42%, and 80% kidney tissues of rats.       

“Anti-aging” product manufacturers are very interested in using noni to help prevent wrinkles, and DNA damage to the skin.  There is current research investigating the topical use of Noni which seems to facilitate the repair of skin and tissue by increasing collagen production locally.  Noni fruit has antioxidant affects on LDL oxidation by products preventing atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and heart disease.     

In experiments inducing liver damage in rats with carbon tetrachloride followed by noni ingestion, necropsy liver sections demonstrated normal lobular architecture and normal ultra structure with light microscopy.  Liver damage with the control group (non-noni) showed acute liver damage including necrotic hepatocytes surrounding central veins and focal inflammatory cells scattered throughout the lobule. The leaves of noni contain a novel Iridoid glycoside that possesses strong free radical scavenging activity at the concentration of 30 micro-moles.

III. Analgesia

The data obtained from several researchers (Drs. Mian Ying Wang, Chafique Younos, Liu Guangmin, & Francois Mortier ) suggests that the alcoholic extraction from the fruits of Morinda citrifolia appears to have analgesic effects.  The French research team led by Dr.Younos, demonstrated a significant, dose-related, central analgesic activity in the treated mice. They stated that "these findings validate the traditional analgesic properties of this plant." The analgesic efficacy of the Noni extract was 75 % as strong as morphine, yet non-addictive and side effect free.

In 2001, Drs. Chen Su and Mian-Ying Wang discovered a “new selective Cox-2 inhibitor substance in Noni. In other clinical pain trials, its effects were similar to the Cox-2 inhibitor Celebrex. Surprisingly to some skeptics, 80% of the cancer patients in Dr Brian Issell’s clinical trial, stopped using pain medications after taking noni for a few weeks... Further studies are necessary for the identification of the active principles and more detailed elucidation of its mechanism of action is required.

Both the noni fruit and the leaf have topical analgesic properties, but more research is required to determine if other substances are responsible besides scopoletin.

IV. Glucose Metabolism            

Dr. Tani  from Japan who originally researched the functional ingredient found in brown seaweed, became interested in ancient Polynesian medicine and the benefits of noni. He was motivated to study the fruit but studied the leaf instead because studies were already in process on the fruit and the root, One finding of his research was that noni leaf significantly reduced glucose levels in the body.  He postulated that noni leaves could possibly prevent and treat diabetes.  Traditionally, noni fruit was used by Hawaiian Kahuna (lau au lapa au) healers to treat diabetes.

Summary of Main Actions & Uses
Noni fruit is a broad spectrum phytopharmaceutical with the potential of treating and preventing many diseases:

• Anticancer/ preventative / treatment/ against breast & lung tumors and lymphoma Anti-tumor / inhibits cancer cells  (glycosides, 6-O- beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-1-O-octanoyl-beta-D-glucopyranose and asperulosidic acid
• Synergistic with Chemotherapeutic agents / may counteract side-effects of the drugs and require lower dosages.
• Immune system Modulator / T-cells / stimulates the production of T-cells  / Enhances the macrophage & lymphocyte replication
• Anti-inflammatory / Cox-2 inhibition / selective Cox-2 inhibitor effects similar to Celebrex
• Antioxidant & Hepatoprotective
• Anti-parasitic / anthelmentic
• Anti-aging /contains xeronine and proxeronine /alkaloid/ which are responsible for cell regeneration.
• Antimicrobial / significant effects against Aspergilis niger, Candida albicans, E.coli., Staph aureus, and Trycophyton mentagrophytes, Salmonella,&  Schigella, Tuberculosis
• Well Being / affects serotonin release / compete with Beta-endorphin sites in the brain
• Anti-aging in Skin / Topically regenerative to skin with collagen stimulating and antioxidant effects

Potential for Veterinary Use

The use of noni in a veterinary practice can have many applications from cancer treatment and prevention to pain control and maintenance of well being and physical health.  In animal studies, no toxicities have been reported with the use of noni fruit.

Synergistic with Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs

Noni seems to be a great addition to any cancer treatment protocol because of its synergistic properties affecting the immune system.  Although I could not find any studies using Noni in combination with other phytopharmaceuticals, antioxidants, TCM herbs, or Homotoxicology, I would encourage veterinarians to try this herb in the treatment of mammary & lung cancers, lymphoma and liver cancers.

Because several clinical studies have demonstrated noni’s synergistic actions with chemotherapeutic drugs, it may be another complementary botanical to use without side-effects and at “sub optimal” drug (lower) dosages.

Cancer Prevention

In susceptible animals, such as dogs living with heavy cigarette smokers, the daily use of noni may help prevent lung cancer and improve lung function in asthmatic pets.  Un-spayed geriatric female cats or dogs may benefit from daily noni by the prevention of breast cancers benign and malignant.

Pain Control

When pain seems unmanageable with current modalities, noni may be an important herb to add alone, or in combination with other herbs such as Boswellia serrata in the treatment of pain due to inflammation.  Making lotions and shampoos with either fruit or leaf extracts may help clear localized pain, pruritis, and inflammation of the skin.

Parasite Control

My first introduction to noni was in relationship to the treatment of heartworm disease.  Although a dog was diagnosed with heartworm disease over 6 years ago, the owner, a Hawaiian lady from whom we bought our house, had been giving 1oz of the fermented noni juice to her dog for a few years, she claimed her dog was cured..  Although he had a heart murmur, he seemed asymptomatic and seemed normal. She did not want to confirm her claim with a blood test nor radiograpths. Owner with animals infested with heartworms and are limited in “funds” to be able to treat chemotherapeutically, may improve quality of life and longevity taking noni daily.

In Hawaii, many old hunters mixed meat with noni fruit and fed that to their hunting dogs to hinder the infestation of roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms. No clinical studies have been performed to confirm this observation. Dog and cat clients who have “issues” with chemical worming methods could be offered this alternative for prevention and treatment.  Since noni FRUIT is non-toxic and has no side effects, it could be an effective safe alternative. Supervised trials are necessary before we can assess the efficacy of this herb, although noni has been used traditionally in Polynesia for centuries to treat internal parasites.

The leaves were also used for parasite control, but until further studies are done on the presence of anthraquinones and the possibility of toxicity, I do not recommend using them (leaves) internally.

Liver Detoxification and Protection

Using noni, along with antioxidants, and hepatoprotective botanicals, could prove to be a synergistic blend of biologically active substances that could help prevent and treat diseases of the liver such as: chemical toxicities, liver cirrhosis, acute and chronic hepatitis, and possibly even liver cancer. More studies are needed in this area.

Dosages of Noni

What every form of noni you use, most experts agree that it is best taken on an empty stomach. There is some controversy over which is the best way to process noni amongst the manufacturers.  Unripe fruit leather producers on Kauai claim that methods employing high heat cooking processes or the fermentation process will destroy the enzymes and bioactive ingredients in the fruit and therefore, its medicinal qualities. Today’s Hawaiian healers (La’au lapa au) use the fermented juice and claim beneficial results. The University of Hawaii has been using the high heat water extract in powder form, and it seems to be working well in their studies thus far.

Noni is commercially available in the following forms:                                                     

• fermented juice of the fruit / mixed with fruit juices
• unfermented juice of the fruit / mixed with fruit juices
• fermented (traditional) ripe noni fruit
• juice extract of the unripe fruit
• powdered capsules of unripe fruit
• leather made from unripe fruit

 

My dosing experience is based upon using noni fruit leather or fermented juice, and only most recently, the dried extract powder from Maui that is  being used in clinical studies at the University of Hawaii. With the freshly made fermented juice (which is only available where noni trees grows….in Polynesia. South East Asia, and Burma, the human dose for maintenance of health is 1 oz twice daily.  I calculated that the appropriate dose to use in medium sized dogs 35-55 lbs (based upon observation) afflicted with severe breast cancers or heartworm to be 1 oz. bid.

Using the noni fruit leather, I am administering the recommended human dose of 2 to 4   2” X 2” pieces (3,000mg – 6,000mg) per day for large dogs. For cats and tiny dogs I use  1/2” X 1/2'” piece twice daily (total of 750mg): for dogs 20-35lbs a piece 1” X1”.The pieces are dissolved in warm water then mixed with the pet’s drinking water or food. It takes 2-4 minutes to dissolve in warm water.

When treating chronic (arthritis, cancer) pain issues, results may take as long as 6 -8 weeks. An adjunct pain reliever should be used in the interim. Acute pain from sprains and broken bones, responds quicker with pain relief in less than a week, or almost immediately when applied topically to an area. 

In human studies, Dr. Issell varied from 2 to 10 grams  twice daily  using a noni extract from Maui (with no side effects).. Higher doses, were directly related with better pain control.  All human patients in his study experienced well being and less depression. I recommend 3,000mg -6,000mg per day for large dogs; using the same doses as with Noni fruit leather.

Topical use?

I have used a topical 90% noni & water lotion on cats with allergic skin reactions (to food and fleas).  Applying the lotion onto the skin seemed to quell the heat and pain In the skin after the third application.  When the cats licked off the noni lotion they also ingested enough to do them some good.

Topical lotions made from noni fruit or leaves can relieve pain quickly and should be considered as an “enhancer” to add to a shampoo or veterinary lotion. Noni extract could be mixed with other topical analgesics to better mollify pain.

Clients have reported “curing” their horses’ “scratches” disease with applications of Noni lotion made from ripe, ground up fruit juice.  A Kauai company makes the lotion by  air drying the mash of fruit pulp, then pouring hot water over the mash ( below 115 degrees ), and when cooled, is  mixed with purified water, lavender oil and grapefruit seed extract.

As you can see, Noni has great potential to be useful in many conditions alone or in combination with conventional treatments, other herbs or nutraceuticals..

The Noni Toxicity Story: True or False?

A recent story in the media that has given Noni a “black eye” : Noni Juice Health Warning:  Humans with Current Liver Disease Maybe More Susceptible to Noni Toxicity Causing Severe Liver Failure with the Need for Liver Transplantation, is deceiving and subject to misinterpretation of the significance of these events.  The story is based upon a 2 case study in World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Aug 14;11(30):4758-60. Hepatotoxicity of NONI juice: report of two cases.  Stadlbauer V, Fickert P, Lackner C, Schmerlaib J, Krisper P, Trauner M, Stauber RE.  Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Austria. 

Most people who use noni are surprised at these findings, because noni fruit has been used for centuries and never considered a toxic plant.  The 2 cases involving people who contracted acute hepatitis were both ill.  One was using Tylenol at high doses for long periods of time, and was treated for liver failure on 2 other separate occasions, before he started taking noni juice.

The person in Case 2 was treated with a toxic cancer drug for leukemia, and at the time she was taking noni juice was also taking a multiple of Chinese herbs, and homeopathic medicines.   These are freak events but a wake up call.  Perhaps the noni juice was not properly stored and refrigerated causing the growth of mold with aflatoxins, or due to weather and soil conditions more potent anthraquinones were present in the juice?  Perhaps the Chinese herbs also contained high amounts of anthraquinones?  Who knows?  But this is indeed very rare occurrence, since many alcoholics in Hawaii use noni to reduce stress on the liver.

Perhaps to be safe, we should be careful using Tahitian Noni Juice (the brand juice implicated) with animals with past histories of liver toxicities, and concurrently receiving liver toxic drugs and/ or with Chinese herbal medicines that potentially contain anthraquinones.

The root is known to contain toxic anthraquinones (as well as medicinal substances, but should never be used orally in my opinion.   The leaf has not been researched enough for toxicity and I would also avoid using it internally, and instead topically for localized pain.

Current research by Dr Brian Issell (Phase I study) found NO adverse effects attributable to noni. in human cancer patients taking 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 grams daily for  3years based upon CTCAE criteria. 

I have found no evidence of toxicity using fresh noni fruits, fermented noni fruit juice, nor with noni fruit leather products in the 10 years I have been using the herb on animals or myself.

I believe that noni has such a wide range of positive effects on the body that everyone should be taking this natural substance for the prevention and treatment of cancers, lung, heart, kidney, and liver diseases.

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