|
|
|
 |
I
N
D
I
A
N
M
E
D
I
C
I
N
A
L
P
L
A
N
T
S
Mimosa pudica L., Mimosaceae, is a pretty flowered weed, familiar even to children as lajja or the ‘touch-me-not’. This is one of the ‘sensitive plants’ and the leaves fold and droop on a physical stimulus such as touch or heat. It is a tropical American species, naturalised throughout India, a long time ago.
The decoction of the root is used in urinary gravel. A paste of the roots and leaves is applied in sinus troubles, piles and fistula. Leaf paste is also applied in swelling of hydrocele.
The leaf and stem are used in scorpion sting.
The plant contains an alkaloid mimosine. An adrenaline like substance was identified from the leaf extract. The seed oil is considered similar to soya oil, considered as particularly useful in the manufacture of coating material.