11/15/18

3rd period

Mimosa pudica

Cameron Hawson
 Mimosa pudica,​ also known as the Touch-me-Not plant or the sensitive plant, is a

type of creeping weed known for its immense list of medicinal properties and uses. Like

most interesting fauna, the sensitive plant hails from the mighty neotropics; it primarily

grows in South America but has been brought over to Australia and now grows there as

well. The plant is often grown for ornamental purposes because of its peculiar method of

defense. when the leaves sense a change in their environment like temperature, wind,

or physical touch from something like a hungry insect, they fold up their leaves in a

consecutive fluid motion. As cool as this trick is, it is nowhere as cool and the medicinal

properties of this plant. From improving digestive health to helping with depression,

Mimosa pudica​ is packed full of alkaloids and metabolites that help illness, infection,

dysentery and many other ailments.

Mimosa pudica​ is a neotropical creeping weed that is coveted for its medicinal

properties that treat a wide variety of illness and injury. First off, one of the plants most

remarkable uses is as an antivenomic. The plant contains tannins in its roots that when

extracted, have proven effective at neutralizing the venom effects of two Elapids, ​Naja

​ nd ​Bungarus caeruleus​. This is interesting because most anti-venoms are not

naja, a

found in organisms but are created by injecting small amounts of venom into a

subject(usually a large mammal like a horse or cow) and allowing the animal to build

antibodies, which are later extracted from the blood of the animal. This is also intriguing

because the snakes that the plant is effective against are not located in the neotropics,

they are instead found in India and China.

 Another interesting property of the Touch-me-not is its use as an antidepressant

to balance and replenish serotonin in the body. According to a study by Caltech, “90%

of serotonin is made in the gut, aided by the presence and abundance of certain

beneficial bacteria and microbes.” ​Mimosa pudica​ is known for its intestinal health

benefits, and with these benefits brings better gut health and higher serotonin levels

which in turn improve mood. Gut health is very important because your digestive system

produces neurotransmitters which regulate mood, so it only makes sense to use a plant

like ​Mimosa pudica​ that help with gut health. The sensitive plant is a mucilaginous herb,

meaning it swells up when it comes in contact with liquid. This goopy mass helps to pull

toxins out of the digestive system and bulk up the stool like fiber does. Since

mucilaginous herbs are not fully digested, they make it intact through the digestive

system allowing them to attach to more toxins, bacteria, and parasites, improving the

health of your gut. In conclusion, ​Mimosa pudica i​ s one truly remarkable plant that is

able of treating many ailments and proves that some medicinal plants are just as, if not

more capable than modern medicine.

I chose to do my paper on ​Mimosa pudica ​because it is a incredible plant with

incredible properties and an extensive list of medicinal uses. First off, it is the only plant

that I know of that is responsive to touch. The fact that it has developed a defense

mechanism unique to its species where it folds up its leaves is very interesting and very

cool. I learned that the sensitive plant can be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses
and injuries and that every part of the plant has medicinal properties. One of the most

interesting things I learned about the plant, is its anti venom abilities. Being a huge

reptile enthusiast this very much intrigued me, and the fact that anti venom can be found

in a plant is very interesting. Another aspect of this plant that I found really cool is that is

can act as an antidepressant. I myself battle with depression, and finding out that there

is a plant that does the job of my medication is really awesome. I myself would much

rather use a medicinal plant to treat my illness than some hard to pronounce medication

made of who knows what. In conclusion, I learned that ​Mimosa pudica​ is one

remarkable plant with tons of medicinal uses, a very cool defense mechanism, and has

properties that I never thought a plant would have.

References

Microbe Formulas™. “A Look Into the Benefits of Mimosa Pudica.” ​Microbe Formulas™,​

microbeformulas.com/blogs/microbe-formulas/benefits-of-mimosa-pudica-part-1.

“Mimosa Pudica Herb Uses, Benefits, Cures, Side Effects, Nutrients.” ​Herbpathy​,

Herbpath, herbpathy.com/Uses-and-Benefits-of-Mimosa-Pudica-Cid917.

Muhammad, Gulzar, et al. “Mimosa Pudica L., a High-Value Medicinal Plant as a

Source of Bioactives for Pharmaceuticals.” ​The Canadian Journal of Chemical

Engineering​, Wiley-Blackwell, 15 Dec. 2015,

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12184.

Roth, Ingrid, and Helga Lindorf. ​South American Medicinal Plants: Botany, Remedial

Properties and General Use ; with 9 Tables​. Springer, 2002.