Limited evidenceMen's health

Morinda Officinalis (Ba Ji Tian)

A yang tonic sold for libido and stamina, with no human trials for either. Its actual clinical literature is about a depression drug made from its oligosaccharides, and that evidence is of low quality.

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What the science says

Libido and stamina Limited evidence
No clinical trial has tested Morinda officinalis for sexual function, energy or athletic performance in humans. Reviews of the plant's chemistry and pharmacology describe only cell and rodent work for these effects.
Depressive symptoms Limited evidence
A systematic review and meta-analysis of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharide capsules reported benefit in depressive disorder, and a later randomized double-blind trial tested them in major depression with gastrointestinal symptoms. The pooled trials were small, conducted in one country and at high risk of bias, and used a pharmaceutical preparation rather than the raw herb.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe depression trials used 300-600 mg daily of a standardized oligosaccharide capsule. Traditional decoctions use 3-10 g of dried root; supplement capsules commonly supply 500 mg as a label dose, unrelated to the studied preparation.

SafetyHuman safety data outside the depression trials are minimal, where digestive upset was the main complaint. Do not use it as a substitute for treatment of diagnosed depression. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding; no interaction data exist for the raw herb.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.

With food?With food.

Worth knowingThe trials used a standardized oligosaccharide extract; a 500 mg root-powder capsule is a different product and inherits none of that data.

Frequently asked questions

Does Morinda officinalis (ba ji tian) boost libido?

No clinical trial has tested Morinda officinalis for sexual function, energy or stamina in humans, so the evidence is limited. The libido claims rest only on cell and rodent work.

Does Morinda officinalis help depression?

Small trials of a pharmaceutical Morinda officinalis oligosaccharide capsule reported benefit in depression, but they were conducted in one country and at high risk of bias, so the evidence is limited. It should not replace treatment for diagnosed depression.

How much Morinda officinalis should I take?

The depression trials used 300-600 mg daily of a standardised oligosaccharide capsule. Typical 500 mg root-powder supplements are a different product and inherit none of that data.

Scientific references

Efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharide capsules for depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Du Y, Zheng Q, Ou ZH, Cao YJ, Su XP, Li C — Braz J Psychiatry, 2021
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
Zhou J, Wang X, Wang R, Deng Y, Lyu N, Li R — Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat, 2025
Isolation, phytochemistry, characterization, biological activity, and application of Morinda officinalis How oligosaccharide: a review
Yue J, Xia W, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Li Y — J Pharm Pharmacol, 2024

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