Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years. Various medicinal plants have been used for years in daily life to treat diseases all over the world. Herbal medicine is based on the premise that plants contain natural substances that can promote health and alleviate illness when combined with diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
Mimosa pudica, also known as lajjalu in ancient Ayurvedic practice, has been used for centuries to treat coughs, indigestion, jaundice, and skin disorders.
Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae) also referred to as touch me not, live and die, shame plant and humble plant is a prostrate or semi-erect subshrub of tropical America and Australia, also found in India heavily armed with recurved thorns and having sensitive soft grey-green leaflets that fold and droop at night or when touched and cooled.
All parts of this plant are considered to possess medicinal properties such as the seeds which become very gelatinous when mixed with water. If you’ve ever soaked chia seeds in water, you’ve seen this type of swelling in action. Now, scientists are starting to confirm the benefits of Mimosa pudica for a wide range of health issues including parasites, depression, and diarrhea.
Antioxidants and Other Phytochemicals
The premise of herbal medicine is that plants are rich in natural substances that can support your health. These beneficial plant compounds include phytochemicals.
Every part of Mimosa pudica contains phytochemicals. The leaves are highest in these compounds compared to the rest of the plant. Still, you’ll find phytochemicals throughout the plant, including in the stems and seeds.
Mimosa pudica is especially rich in phytochemical groups called flavonoids and phenolics. These have been linked with helping prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as promoting healthy aging. One likely reason for this is their antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and may help reduce damage to your cells. This helps prevent oxidative stress in your tissues. In turn, this may decrease your risk of certain diseases.
Mimosa pudica also contains phytochemicals called alkaloids (mimosine is one), glycosides, and tannins. These likely also contribute to the plant’s antioxidant benefits and other health properties.
To learn more about integrative health and ancient Ayurveda healing systems visit MayoClinic.org. Meridian based MicrobeFormulas.com is an extensive resource on the Mimosa pudica plant.