Mimosa pudica L.
Diffuse herbs ; stem terete , with reflexed bristles and scattered , curved prickles . Leaves alternate to 12cm long , pinnea 2 pairs ; leaflets ca 20 pairs , oblong , overlapping , apex acute - mucronate , base oblique - truncate . Flowers numerous , pink . Calyx minute . Corolla campanulate ; lobes pubescent outside . Fruit a lomentum flate , margin with recurved prickles .
- Family: Fabaceae
- Habit: Herb
- Habitat: Distributed sites and waste areas.
- Status : Least Concern
Vernacular names
English - Sensitive plant
Hindi - Chui Mui
Malayalam - Thittalvadi
Tamil - Thotta Surungi
Kannada - Lajja
Medicinal Uses
* Root is used for treating menstrual problems and toothache .
* Toe infection can be treated by washing legs with leaf decotion .
* Leaf decotion is used for treating haemorrhoids , wounds and insomnia .
* Root extracts are used for healing wounds ( Kokane DD et al , 2009 ) .
* Aqueous extracts of dried leaves are used to alleviate depression ( Molina M et al , 1999) .
* Decoction of leaves are antimicrobial ( Pawaskar SM et al , 2006 ) .
