Mimosa pudica is a plant that goes by a long list of names including sensitive plant, sleepy plant, action plant, Dormilones, touch-me-not, live and die, shame plant, zombie plant, or shy plant. It is classified as a creeping annual or perennial flowering plant, semi-erect subshrub belonging to the legume family.
Mimosa pudica is its scientific name, but it most often is referred to as the shame plant. That’s because, in Latin, the word Pudica means shy or bashful. Additionally, it is abbreviated as M. pudica in many publications.
Mimosa pudica plants are often grown out of people’s curiosity towards its outer appearance, among many other variables.
The Appearance of the Mimosa Pudica Plant
The compound leaves fold inward and droop when they are touched or shaken as a defense mechanism in defending themselves from harm and will re-open a few minutes later when they feel it it’s safe. Overall, it is similar in appearance to that of the Venus Flytrap.
Visually, it contains thorns and has sensitive soft grey-green leaflets. Flowers on the plant are pink and provide a very small pink calyx.
Mimosa Pudica Growing Information
While the mimosa pudica is a plant native to South America and Central America, it is now a pantropical weed. Moreover, you will find it growing in tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and the United States.
Habitat: open-spaces, especially roadside, cultivated land, and waste area
Propagation: By seeds and vegetative methods – produces an estimated amount of 675 seeds per plant annually
Sun Requirements: shade tolerant, but doesn’t do well with frost
Soil Requirement: primarily found on soils with low nutrient concentrations and has adapted to harsh growing conditions
Region: grows best in tropical climates and is often mistaken for a weed
Cycle: this plant produces flowers year-round
Predators: prone to natural predators such as Spider mite and Mimosa webworm
Is Mimosa Pudica Poisonous To Humans?
No. The plant itself is listed as non-toxic by the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
It is also on their list of safe and poisonous garden plants. Additionally, it is listed as safe for humans and pets on the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources website.
According to Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Science, the plant does contain toxic amino acid mimosine. They say that if livestock eats enough of the plant, their hair falls out due to the root of the plant. The root itself has some kind of a killer or emetic compound.
Is Mimosa Pudica Poisonous to Cats or Dogs?
Identical to humans, this plant is not poisonous to cats or dogs. If the animal does eat large amounts of this non-toxic plant, it causes a risk to stomach issues or choking.
Cats, in particular, love playing with this plant due to the pink and colorful purple flowers found on it. Its low lying nature and the opening and closing properties of the leaves catch the eye of cats as well.
Do People Eat Mimosa Pudica?
Yes. For instance, the ancient form of Ayurveda medicine uses this plant from head to toe. The plant’s roots, leaves, stems are also used in consumption methods. Many people eat the seeds, and the seeds are related to the texture and feel of chica seeds. Seeds are also ground into a powder, and when it enters into the body, it creates a sticky liquid.
People use Mimosa pudica for a long list of reasons, including helping them get rid of parasites, aid in mood disorders, depression, and even diarrhea.
What is the Suggested Dose of Mimosa Pudica?
The suggested dose is 10–20 g of the drug for decoction. It is suggested you take Mimosa pudica at least 30 minutes apart from other drugs, supplements, and herbs.
What is the Best Way to Take Mimosa Pudica?
Mimosa pudica works best when taken on an empty stomach and is best when taken a half-hour to an hour before a meal. This catches bad bacteria and parasites off guard, which aids in removing them adequately.
Mimosa Pudica and Parasites
A few variables go into the length of time in which it takes for it to get rid of parasites within the body entirely. Some people may only have to wait for months, where others may have to wait for years.
Body sensitivity and how many parasites a person has will play a role in how long it takes to eject them fully.
Does Mimosa Pudica cause Diarrhea?
No, it does the opposite. The seeds work in a slow progression throughout the body, which helps prevent diarrhea. The support of gut health helps promote healthy and stable stools.
History Of Mimosa Pudica
Wilhelm Pfeffer was a German botanist who first experimented with this plant back in the 17th century. Next, comes Holmes and Bruenberg in 1965 who did studies in which they used electrical signaling experiments. Additionally, similar experiments were redone recently in 2017 by neuroscientist Greg Gage.
In 2018, two research groups joined forces from Universities of Palermlocated in Italy and Lugano located in Switzerland. Their studies show the plant as a building block.
Mimosa Pudica Benefits
As stated above, Mimosa pudica has a widely known reputation for healing that dates back centuries ago, first practiced in ancient India.
Today many studies in the United States are being done to confirm the power of Mimosa pudica and the impact it has on health.
Gut Scrubber
Mimosa pudica works as a powerful gut scrubber. When seeds of the plant come into contact with water, they swell and turn into a gel. A visual of this would be similar to soaking chia seeds in water.
When you directly swallow seeds, the liquid in your stomach has a similar effect, making the swallowed seeds swell and turn into that gel-like substance. As a gel, it passes through the body and is removed via human stool since the mass is now a soluble fiber.
People will see the seeds throughout the stool that is expelled, and a few things may appear different such as color, and some might even notice mucoid plaque.
Since Mimosa pudica seeds do not break down, they are able to travel from mouth to end and grab harmful toxins throughout the way without being broken down themselves; thus proving why they work for gut health and digestion.
May Improve Mental Health
The impact of Mimosa pudica on the gut plays a crucial role in improving mental health. When your gut health is strong, it makes it easier for your mental health to be happy. Why? The neurotransmitters in your gut help regulate your mood. In fact, 90% of serotonin is made in your gut.
Studies on gut-brain health hinges on the way the microbiome influences the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis. These studies are similar to studying the way psychological stress, with pathogenic species of bacteria, interact with the immune and endocrine systems, which creates an inflammatory cascade with an increase in sympathetic reactivity.
Inflammatory species also have direct communication with the brain via self-produced neurotransmitters and the vagus nerve receptors within the gut. Mimosa pudica seeds keep your gut at healthy levels, which benefits these neurotransmitters in what it communicates to the brain.
Provides Rich Antioxidants
It is the antioxidants in the Mimosa pudica plant that stop free radicals from forming. Most of these antioxidants are found in the plant’s stems and seeds.
In one analysis of antioxidants found within the plant, 5 flavonoid monomers were also evaluated by 2 assays, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Overall results showed that leaf extracts contained the highest amount of antioxidants. The exact order is as follows: leaf, the whole plant, seed, and stem.
Uses In Wound Healing
Mimosa pudica was thought to be initially used for wound healing, aiding in bleeding wounds and in treating a wide range of skin issues.
Traditionally warm paste using Mimosa pudica was applied around infections such as boils. The warm pastes help break the boil and release the fluid found inside.
In one study, scientists put the roots of the Mimosa pudica plant on rats. They used an ointment base in a concentration of 0.5% (w/w), 1% (w/w), and 2% (w/w). Results showed that treatment of wound with an ointment containing 2% (w/w) the methanolic and 2% (w/w) exhibited good healing activity.
Another study shows a high level of hydroxyproline results for skin healing. Scientists attribute this remarkable skin healing benefit to the phenols in the Mimosa pudica plant extract.
May Prevent Ulcers
Sores in your digestive tract are called peptic ulcers, and they are found inside the lining of your stomach, the upper portion of your small intestine, or esophagus. Besides peptic ulcers, people experience gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
A significant risk factor surrounding peptic ulcers is infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which harms your digestive tract’s mucus coating.
Experimentation concludes that Mimosa pudica leaf reduces stomach acidity and increases secretion in the gut, which helps prevent ulcers.
One study was done with healthy rats of both sexes weighing 150-200 g. The conclusion of the study showed 67% fewer ulcers compared to the control group. Rats that took the ranitidine also referred to as Zantac only had 49% fewer ulcers. Mimosa pudica outperformed a drug that is commonly used by people to treat a wide range of stomach and esophagus issues, which includes ulcers.
Scientists believe the Mimosa pudica plant works so well over Zantac due to the content of quercetin found within it.
Helps with Sleep And Depression
Parasites within the body deter people from getting proper sleep, and since Mimosa pudica eliminates parasites, it helps people achieve R.E.M sleep.
One study in rats was conducted where they received several doses of the plant over 30 days. The results show an antidepressant-like effect from Mimosa pudica.
Does Mimosa Pudica Kill Good Bacteria?
No. Mimosa pudica pulls unwanted parasites out of your digestive tract and doesn’t pull everything with it.
Mimosa Pudica Seed Challenge
The Mimosa pudica seed challenge is a parasite cleansing challenge that throws your body off its daily routine to rid it of unwanted parasites.
The challenge requires a person to take two capsules of Mimosa pudica seed supplement every hour while not eating. People do this with plenty of water, but nothing else. Long term Mimosa pudica seed challenge is something people pair with intermittent fasting. Most people start the challenge early in the morning and then practice intermittent fasting starting in the afternoon.
Conclusion
Overall, the Mimosa pudica plant has remarkable healing qualities throughout the entire plant. Scientists are doing more research and studies to confirm the healing properties of it, and so far, results have shown all positive findings.
The top use for Mimosa pudica is its ability to knock out parasites and improve internal gut health.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.