MIMOSA PUDICA

Common name: Sensitive Plant, Touch-me-not • Hindi: Chui-mui छुई-मुई, Lajwanti लाजवंती • Manipuri: Kangphal, Kangphal ikaithabi • Tamil: தொட்டாச்சுருங்கி thottaccurungi • Malayalam: Tintarmani • Assamese: Nilajban • Bengali লজ্জাবতী Lajjabati

Botanical name: Mimosa pudica   

Family: Mimosaceae (Touch-me-not family)

Geographical composition

The plant is native to America but naturalized throughout India.

Introduction: Touch Me Not is a wonderful and curious plant which is found growing wild throughout the tropical world. It native origin is unclear. Its fern-like leaves close up and droop when touched, usually re-opening within minutes. It has prickly stems and small, fluffy, ball shaped pink flowers in summer. It grows to a height of 50 cm with a spread of 30 cm. In some areas this plant is becoming a noxious weed. The stem is erect, slender and branching. The leaves are bipinnate, fern like and pale green- closing when disturbed. Stalked pale pink or purple flower-heads arise from the leaf axils. The round to ovoid heads are 8-10 mm in diameter (excluding the stamens). On close examination, it is seen that the floret petals are red in their upper part and the filaments are pink to lavender. The fruit consists of clusters of 2-8 pods from 1-2 cm long each, these prickly on the margins. The pods break into 2-5 segments and contain pale brown seeds some 2.5 mm long. The flowers are pollinated by the wind and insects. The seeds have hard seed coats which restricts germination.

Chemical composition

The plant contains beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol and friedelin. Mucilage of seeds contain galactose and mannose. An adrenaline-like substance identified in extracts of leaves. The root contain tannin and mimosine.

Therapeutic uses

The leaves are astringent, cooling, antiseptic, alternative and blood purifier. It is resolvent and carminative. It is used in burning sensation of body, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemophilic condition, leucorrhoea and morbid condition of vagina. Root is aphrodisiac, cooling, vulnerary; cures kapha, asthma, biliousness, vaginal and uterine complaints. Juice is antiseptic alternative and blood purifier.

Folk medicinal uses

An infusion of the leaves is given in 10-20 ml. doses in gravel and allied urinary diseases. A decoction of the roots is given in small doses of 2-6 gm. for these diseases. For piles and fistula 2 gm. of the pulverized leaves and roots are given with milk. A paste of the leaves is applied to testicular and glandular swellings. A hot infusion or decoction of the leaves is given as hipbath for relieving pains of the hips and kidneys. Root powder is given in the dose of 6-12 gm. after menstruation with crystalline sugar for three consecutive days; this stops conception. Root is worn by the patient in the neck. The medicine is stated to have talismanic effect as claimed in the area.

Flowers and Fruits: August-November