Ba Ji Tian
StarMorinda officinalis How.
Traditionally used for
- Urinary & fluids
- Fertility & vitality
- Pain & joints
Cautions & contraindications
- Liver conditions
- Kidney conditions
☯ TCM Properties
Tonifies Kidney Yang; Strengthens the Sinews and Bones; Dispels Wind-Dampness; Nourishes Essence and Blood
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ba Ji Tian (morinda root) is a warm, sweet-pungent herb that powerfully supplements Kidney Yang and expels Wind-Cold-Damp from the bones and sinew. It is used for impotence, urinary frequency, and infertility from Kidney Yang deficiency, as well as lower back pain, joint stiffness, and tendon weakness from Wind-Cold-Damp bi obstruction on a foundation of Kidney deficiency. Its combined tonifying and expelling properties make it valuable when both deficiency and obstruction co-exist in the lower body.
Pharmacological Effects
- Anti-granulation: Aqueous extract at 10-80 g/kg orally or i.p. inhibited plastic ring-induced granulation in rats.
- Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary stimulation: At 1 g/kg orally it enhanced this axis in animals, promoting corpus luteum formation and ovulation.
- ACTH-like action: 50% alcoholic extract (oral or i.p.) caused thymus atrophy in young mice.
Source: Zhu YP. Chinese Materia Medica: Chemistry, Pharmacology and Applications. Harwood Academic, 1998, p. 593.
Used In Formulas (14)
Relationships
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Botanical Description
Morinda officinalis is an evergreen climbing or scrambling shrub in the Rubiaceae, native to southern China and northern Vietnam, where it grows in lowland and lower montane forest, often on shaded slopes and along forest margins. The slender, twining stems can reach several metres in length and bear opposite, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate leaves 6-15 cm long, with entire margins, an acute to acuminate tip and conspicuous interpetiolar stipules characteristic of the family. The fleshy root system is unusual: long, cylindrical roots are repeatedly constricted at irregular intervals, giving them a distinctive moniliform or beaded appearance, with a thick, purplish-brown bark and a paler core. Small, white to pale pinkish, four- to five-lobed tubular flowers are produced in dense terminal or axillary heads. These develop into compound, fleshy, multiple fruits 5-10 mm across, ripening to a bright orange-red colour. It is cultivated commercially in Guangdong and Guangxi.
Active Constituents
Inulin-type oligosaccharides (bajijiasu, nystose, 1F-fructofuranosylnystose, kestose, sucrose)
Fructo-oligosaccharideConcentration: the quantitatively dominant constituent class of the root; more than 20 individual oligosaccharides have been isolated
The fraction behind the herb's best-supported modern indication. Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides (MOO) are licensed in China as an antidepressant preparation, and a meta-analysis of seven randomised trials found MOO capsules non-inferior to conventional antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. Bajijiasu, a dimeric fructose from this fraction, also inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in vitro.
Monotropein
Iridoid glycosideConcentration: the principal iridoid, reported at over 1% of the dried root
Isolated monotropein at 40-80 mg/kg/day for four weeks increased bone mineral content and density and improved trabecular microarchitecture in ovariectomised mice, supporting the traditional use for the sinews and bones. Also reported to be anti-inflammatory.
Deacetylasperulosidic acid, asperuloside and asperulosidic acid
Iridoid glycosidesThe other major iridoids of the root. Together with monotropein they form the iridoid fingerprint used to distinguish Morinda officinalis from Morinda citrifolia and other Rubiaceae substitutes.
Rubiadin and rubiadin-1-methyl ether
AnthraquinoneConcentration: a minor fraction; roughly 28 anthraquinones have been described from the root
Anthraquinones from Morinda officinalis suppressed osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro, reducing resorption pit formation and multinucleated osteoclast numbers. Rubiadin is also a mutagenic hydroxyanthraquinone in bacterial assays, which is the basis for not treating high-dose long-term anthraquinone exposure from any Rubiaceae or Polygonaceae root as automatically benign.
Physcion
AnthraquinoneA methylated anthraquinone of the root, used with rubiadin as an HPLC marker; contributes to the antioxidant and osteoclast-inhibiting activity attributed to the anthraquinone fraction.
Polysaccharides
PolysaccharideBioassay-guided work has attributed part of the root's anti-osteoporotic activity to its polysaccharide fraction, which protected against bone loss in ovariectomised rats.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Morinda citrifolia (noni) root or fruit - documented substitute species
Morinda officinalis is heavily adulterated because wild supply is limited and demand is high, and its congener Morinda citrifolia is one of the substitutes met in trade. The two are chemically separable: UPLC/Q-TOF-MS with multivariate analysis shows distinct anthraquinone, iridoid glycoside and triterpenoid profiles, so a fingerprint will detect the swap. The clinical hazard is not inertness but the substitute's own toxicology - noni juice has been reported to cause hyperkalaemia in a patient with chronic renal insufficiency (measured potassium concentration 56.3 mEq/L in the juice, comparable to orange or tomato juice), and multiple hepatotoxicity case reports exist for noni preparations.
Clinical note: Buy Ba Ji Tian from a supplier that provides species authentication. Avoid unauthenticated Morinda material altogether in patients with chronic kidney disease, on ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements, or with any liver disease.
Morinda umbellata (Yang Jiao Teng, sold as Jian Ba Ji) - documented adulterant
Morinda umbellata is the commonest adulterant of Ba Ji Tian in Chinese markets. It is distinguishable on macroscopic examination: the bark layer is thinner, the woody core occupies roughly 60-70% of the root diameter (against less than a third in authentic material), and the taste is bland and faintly sweet rather than sweet with a slight astringency. ITS2 DNA barcoding separates Morinda officinalis from its confused species where morphology is ambiguous.
Clinical note: Inspect the transverse section: a woody core taking up most of the diameter means it is not Ba Ji Tian. The Pharmacopoeial drug is also processed by removing the woody core, so a high core fraction indicates both wrong species and inadequate processing.
Damnacanthus indicus and Damnacanthus officinarum (Hu Ci, sold as En Shi Ba Ji or Jia Ba Ji) - documented adulterants
Damnacanthus roots are the other recognised counterfeit group. They form a beaded, constricted shape naturally rather than through processing, taste bitter-sweet, and are harder in texture than genuine Ba Ji Tian. Their own pharmacology and toxicology are poorly characterised, so a patient given them is taking an essentially unstudied herb.
Clinical note: Beading that is uniform and natural-looking, with a hard texture and bitter taste, should trigger rejection of the batch.
Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs) and other serotonergic drugs
Morinda officinalis oligosaccharide capsules are a licensed antidepressant in China and performed comparably to conventional antidepressants in a meta-analysis of seven trials in 1384 participants; a 2025 randomised trial combined MOO with probiotics in major depressive disorder. Combination with a conventional antidepressant has not been formally studied for interaction, and no case of serotonin syndrome attributable to Morinda has been reported, so this is a pharmacodynamic inference from efficacy data, not an observed interaction.
Clinical note: Do not present Ba Ji Tian to a patient as a reason to reduce or stop a prescribed antidepressant. If MOO is added to an SSRI, coordinate with the prescriber and watch for agitation, tremor or sweating.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3–10 g | Daily | — | — | 中国药典 2020 【用法与用量】3～10g。 【性味与归经】甘、辛，微温。归肾、肝经。 — Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020, quoted verbatim; route and cautions preserved. Replaces a cleared category-filler value. |
Evidence Tier
Strong evidence · 6 studiesRecorded studies by study design, strongest design at the top. This is a study-design tier only, not a GRADE rating: it does not weigh risk of bias, consistency or precision.
Systematic review / meta-analysis
1
1 verified · 0 unverified
Randomized controlled trial
0
Other clinical trial
1
1 verified · 0 unverified
Observational / case report
1
1 verified · 0 unverified
In vitro / animal
3
2 verified · 1 unverified
Show 3 studies
- Monotropein isolated from the roots of Morinda officinalis increases osteoblastic bone formation and prevents bone loss in ovariectomized mice
- Inhibitory Effects of Morinda officinalis Extract on Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats
- Comparison of Anthraquinones, Iridoid Glycosides and Triterpenoids in Morinda officinalis and Morinda citrifolia Using UPLC/Q-TOF-MS and Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Other / unclassified
0
Verified: design read from PubMed for a DOI that resolves to the cited paper Unverified: taken from the study's recorded description
Clinical Studies
Efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharide capsules for depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Seven randomised controlled trials with 1384 participants were pooled. Morinda officinalis oligosaccharide capsules were not inferior to conventional antidepressants for mild to moderate depressive disorder, with no significant difference in adverse events. The authors noted that the trial quality was limited and called for further high-quality studies.
Efficacy and Safety of Morinda Officinalis Oligosaccharides Combined with Probiotics as a Therapeutic Strategy for Major Depressive Disorder with Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial
Eight-week randomised, double-blind trial in 108 patients with major depressive disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms comparing Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides plus probiotics against Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides plus placebo. Adverse events occurred in 5.56% of each arm with no serious events and no manic switching. Both arms received the oligosaccharide preparation, so the trial tests the probiotic add-on rather than the herb against placebo.
Monotropein isolated from the roots of Morinda officinalis increases osteoblastic bone formation and prevents bone loss in ovariectomized mice
Monotropein at 40 or 80 mg/kg/day for four weeks increased bone mineral content, bone mineral density and bone volume fraction and improved trabecular microarchitecture in ovariectomised mice, promoting osteoblastic bone formation. Provides a defined active constituent for the traditional indication of strengthening the sinews and bones.
Inhibitory Effects of Morinda officinalis Extract on Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Rats
Morinda officinalis extract given for twelve weeks protected ovariectomised rats against bone loss, deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture and loss of bone biomechanical strength.
Comparison of Anthraquinones, Iridoid Glycosides and Triterpenoids in Morinda officinalis and Morinda citrifolia Using UPLC/Q-TOF-MS and Multivariate Statistical Analysis
UPLC/Q-TOF-MS with multivariate statistics separated Morinda officinalis from Morinda citrifolia on their anthraquinone, iridoid glycoside and triterpenoid profiles. This is the analytical basis for detecting substitution of noni material for Ba Ji Tian.
Noni juice (Morinda citrifolia ): Hidden potential for hyperkalemia?
Case report of hyperkalaemia in a man with chronic renal insufficiency who self-medicated with noni juice while claiming adherence to a low-potassium diet; the juice measured 56.3 mEq/L potassium. Relevant to Ba Ji Tian only because Morinda citrifolia is a documented substitute species, and it is why unauthenticated Morinda material is unsafe in renal impairment.
⚠ Safety & Contraindications
- Liver conditions
- Kidney conditions
Contraindications
Its use is prohibited in patients with vigorous fire due to yin deficiency or fever.
Source: Xi S, Gong Y. Essentials of Chinese Materia Medica and Medical Formulas. Academic Press/Elsevier, 2017, pp. 344–356.
Historical Texts
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing
Han dynasty (c. 200 CE)Ben Cao Gang Mu
Ming dynasty (Li Shi-zhen, 1596)References
- Zhang JH, Xin HL, Xu YM, Shen Y, He YQ, Hsien-Yeh, Lin B, Song HT, Juan-Liu, Yang HY, Qin LP, Zhang QY, Du J. Morinda officinalis How. – A comprehensive review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology . Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2018) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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