Touch Me Not Plant: Uses, Side Effects, Research

Lajjalu Mimosa pudica Linn. is a small plant which is used mainly in the treatment of  wounds, piles, uterine prolapse, diarrhea.
Botanical name- Mimosa pudica Linn.
Family- Leguminosae

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
English name – Sensitive plant
Hindi name – lajalu, chui mui
Bengali name – Lajjavati
Kannada name – Nachike mullu, Nachike Gida
Gujarati name – Reesamani
Tamil name – Tottalavadi

Sanskrit synonyms

Lajjalu – Sensitive plant and leaves close on touch
Samanga – The plant is symmetrical
Sankochani, Namaskari – The leaves fold like folding of hand on touch.
Khadira patrika – Resembles the leaf of Khadira (Acacia cathechu) plant.
Raktapada, Raktamoola, Tamramoola  – Coppery red colored root
Gandhakari – Has an aroma
Khadirikaruna,
Prarochani – improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Shamipatra – leaves resemble to those of Shami plant.
Jalakarika
Namaskari – Leaves will be folded on touch giving an impression that the plant is saluting
Prasarini – grows and spreads quickly

Classical categorization

Charaka Samhita –
Sandhaniya – Group of herbs useful in quick wound / fracture healing
Purisha sangrahaneeya – Group of herbs that increase the bulk of feces
Sushruta- Priyangvadi gana, Ambashtadi gana
Vagbhata- Priyangvadi gana
Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga
Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadi varga
Raja Nighantu- Parpatadi varga 

Varieties

There are about 4000 species of mimosa. Mimosa pudica is a small herb which grows like a weed in a short period of time. It is a native of Brazil but now found all over India in the temperate climate. The leaves are arranged symmetrically and close on touch; hence the name sensitive plant. The flowers are pink in color.
1. Lajjalu – Mimosa pudica
2. Viparita lajjalu Biophytum sensitivum

Properties, part used, dosage

Touch me not plant – medicinal properties
Rasa (taste) – Kashaya – Astringent, Tikta – Bitter
Guna (qualities) – Laghu – Light to digest, Rooksha – Dryness
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Sheeta – Coolant
Karma- Kapha-pitta hara (reduces the vitiated Kapha and Pitta Dosha)
Pharmacological actions- Anti viral, Spasmogenic, Diuretic, Hyperglycemic, Anti fertility, Wound healing
Therapeutic indications – Yoniroga, Atisara, Raktapitta, Sopha, Vrana, Bhagandara

Part used– Root, whole plant.
Paste of the plant is used (as poultice) for external use.

Dosage-
Fresh juice 10-20 ml
Decoction: 50 – 100 ml, in divided doses, per day.

Chemical composition

The plant contains mimosine and turgorin. The periodic leaf movements exhibited by the plant are due to presence of derivatives of 4-O- gallic acid. The aerial part of the plant Mimosa pudica contains C- glycosylflavones, 2-Orhamnosylorientin. The root of the plant contains 10% tannin and 55% ash. The seed contains mucilage.

Morphology

Diffuse undershrub
Stems – Pricky
Leaves – Compound, Sensitive, sessile, linear – oblong
Flowers – Pink in colour, Golbose head,
Fruits – pods, slightly recurved

Sanskrit verse, indications

Traditional indications:
Yoniroga – useful in female reproductive system related disorders such as heavy periods
Atisara – diarrhoea, dysentery
Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Pittatisara – diarrhea due to excess Pitta, ulcerative colitis
Shopha  – inflammation
Daha –  burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
Shrama – tiredness, fatigue
Shwasa – asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
Vrana – Ulcers, wounds
Kushta – skin diseases
Asra – blood disorders such as abscess, skin disorders, bleeding disorders such as menorrhagia, nasal bleeding etc.

How to use “Touch me not” plant for wound healing?

Uses of Lajjalu:

• The decoction of the root in a dose of 45-50 ml is taken to get relief from renal stones, urinary complaints and asthma.
• The decoction of the plant Mimosa pudica is consumed in a dose a divided dosage of 10-15 ml thrice a day get relief from diarrhea, bleeding piles, diabetes.
• The paste of the plant is applied over fresh wounds to stop bleeding, to treat skin diseases.
• The paste of the plant is applied as poultice, over the affected area, to relive vaginal prolapse, anal prolapse.
• The powder of the seed is given in a dose of 4-6 g in lower sperm count.
• The paste of the leaves of the Mimosa pudica plant is applied to treat fractures of the bone.
  
• Fresh juice of decoction of Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica) is administered in the dose of 15-20ml twice daily in menorrhagia.

Ayurvedic formulations

Important formulations containing Lajjalu:
Kutaja avaleha:  It is a type of semisolid preparation used in the treatment of piles, ulcerative colitis, diarrhoea, IBS, anemia, bleeding disorders, gastritis, inflammatory conditions.
Ural BPH capsule: It is a capsule used for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
Selip syrup and tablet: This formulation is used in the treatment of piles, constipation, and anal fistula
Samangadi churna: Samangadi Churna is an Ayurvedic medicine, in herbal powder form.  It is used in the treatment of bleeding hemorrhoids.
Palsinuron capsule: This capsule is used in the treatment of cervical spondylitis, brachial neuralgia, paralysis.
Lakshadi churna: Lakshadi Churnam is an Ayurvedic powder medicine used in the treatment of nasal bleeding, heavy periods and other bleeding disorders. It is best avoided in delayed periods, less menstrual bleeding (oligomenorrhoea).
Pilocure tablet: It is a tablet used for the treatment of bleeding piles and hemorrhoids.

Research, Side effects

Research articles related to Mimosa pudica:

• Anti microbial activity: The antimicrobial activity of Lawsonia inermis, Mimosa pudica, Cestrum diurnum and Solanum xanthocarpum was determined by agar disc diffusion method against five strains of microbes: Bacillus pumilus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Candida albicans. All the selected plants exhibited antimicrobial activity but the degree of their potency varied. The results showed that Cestrum diurnum and Mimosa pudica showed more antimicrobial activity as compared to Lawsonia inermis and Solanum xanthocarpum.
• Broad spectrum anti microbial activity: Antimicrobial activities of 50% methanolic crude extracts of Mimosa pudica L were evaluated against different bacterial strains (E.coli MTCC-443, Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC-4673, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC- 3160, Bacillus subtilis MTCC-441, Streptococcus pyogenes MTCC-1926.) by agar well diffusion method & MIC determination. The crude extract showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activities by inhibiting the respective bacteria in Agar well diffusion assay.
• Adaptogenic and nootropic activity: Ethanolic extract of pudica at the dose of 500 mg/kg produces potential changes in chronic Alzheimer’s model and stress.
• Ethno medical and traditional use of Mimosa pudica: Recent studies have found that the extracts of this plant can be used for controlling child birth. Traditional herbal doctors recommended this plant for the treatment of bronchitis, general debility and impotence.

Mimosa pudica side effects:
It is best to avoid during constipation and scanty periods.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Author:
Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D | E mail: [email protected]