Mimosa root benefits

How Mimosa root benefits were found?

The Mimosa root is also botanically well known because of its nodules contain Nitrogen fixing bacteria. The other characteristic features of Mimosa root include 6-8 layered crock cells along with parenchyma-filled granules containing secondary cortex. Tannins and calcium oxalate crystals are present in the secondary cortex. [1]

The two oldest traditional medicinal systems, Ayurveda and Unani had mentioned the health benefits of Mimosa root. The acrid, bitter, alexipharmic, and cooling vulnerary properties of Mimosa root are identified in the Ayurvedic medicinal system. These medicinal properties of Mimosa root are therapeutically used by Ayurveda to treat inflammatory disease conditions, leprosy, dysentery, uterine and vaginal complaints, burning sensation, leucoderma, asthma, and fatigue, and blood diseases. Whereas, in the Unani healthcare system Mimosa root is recommended for treating blood impurities disorders and diseases that occur due to bile toxicity, jaundice, bilious fevers, and piles. Aqueous root decoction is used to reduce toothache and helpful to stoppage bleeding and accelerate the wound healing process. Herbal medicines prepared for gynecological disorders also contain Mimosa root extract. [1]

What are the phytochemicals present in Mimosa root?

Mimosa root contains adrenaline-like alkaloids, Mimosine and other phytochemicals like phytosterol, flavonoid, glycoside, tannins, fatty acids, amino acids. Ascorbic acid, B-sitosterols, crocetin,  D-glucuronic acid, D-xylose, and linoleic acid are also present in Mimosa root. [1, 2]

What is the Mode of action of Mimosa root health benefits?

Mimosa root exerts an anti-fertility effect on female by disturbing the gonadotropin hormone secretion and also prolonging the oestrous cycle. An experiment conducted in Swiss albino mice by treating the experimental group with methanolic extract of the Mimosa root for twenty-one days. In this research, the reproductive hormones level checked for both control and experimental group. A significant reduction of FSH level had observed in the pro-estrous and oestrous stage and the resultant of this leads to suppression of ovulation.

Another well-established health benefit of Mimosa root is anti-venom activity. Aqueous extract of Mimosa root with a particular dose (0.13 mg and 0.17 mg) significantly inhibits mortality rate, hemorrhagic activity, edema formation, phospholipase activity, which are common sign and symptoms of snake bite poisoning. In a laboratory research study, the efficacy of aqueous extract of Mimosa root has checked, and found this herbal ingredient neutralizes the phospholipase activity, which occurs due to administration of venom. Mimosa root produces antibodies to neutralize the venom and concurrently acts as a remedy of hemolytic alteration occurred due to venom interaction. The aqueous extract of Mimosa root acts dose-dependently for inhibiting the hyaluronidase and protease activities occurs after  Indian snakes bite. [2]

What are the different forms of Mimosa root?

There are different dosage forms of Mimosa root are available in the herbal store. Herbal extract alone or in combination, dried Mimosa root powder are the different dosage forms of Mimosa root. The recommended dose of dried, power of Mimosa root is 2 to 5gms for diabetics. [1]

Mimosa root uses

Mimosa root is not only taking place in Ayurveda and Unani traditional medicinal system, but also included in western medicine for the treatment of wounds, skin hemorrhoids, irritability, insomnia, diarrhea, menorrhagia, premenstrual syndrome, and whooping cough. All most all parts of the Mimosa plant including root, flower, leave, fruits, and seeds are used for medicinal purposes. Following are some evidence-based uses of Mimosa root:

• Treatment of diarrhea, amoebic dysentery
• To cure skin diseases
• To treat neurological problems
• To treat boils, plaster is used by spreading of warm root paste on a cloth and then apply on the boil to provide symptomatic relief.
• To stop bleeding and accelerate the healing by applying castor oil fried Mimosa root paste on deep cut wounds.
• To toothache reduction, a gargle is used by preparing a gargle of Mimosa root decoction.
• Mimosa roots preparation is used as contraceptive properties.
• The paste of root fried in ghee is applied on caries teeth for relief from toothache.
• Tooth caries and associated pain symptoms can treat by using root extract.
• Root extracts has a strong emetic property which can treat and prevent vomiting tendency.
• The roots have multiple medicinal properties including acrid, alexipharmic, antispasmodic, astringent, bitter, cooling vulnerary, constipating, diuretic, emetic, febrifuge, and resolvent.
• Mimosa root decoction is useful to treat urinary complain like irritation, bladder gravel.
• Roots are useful regimens for asthma, fevers, inflammation, jaundice, leucoderma, metropathy, small pox, strangury, ulcers, and vaginopathy.
• Root has potent aphrodisiac property.
• The powdered root is useful for treating piles and fistula.
•  The Philippines used Mimosa roots to treat dysentery and dysmenorrheal disorders. They also used Mimosa roots as a diuretics. [3]

Following are some detail uses of Mimosa root:

Uterine bleeding disorder

Aqueous Mimosa root extract powder is used to treat uterine bleeding dysfunction. [3]

Snake bite treatment

The anti-venom property of Mimosa root is a useful treatment for snake bite. Animals bitten by Naja naja and Bangarus caerulus treated with the dried root of Mimosa inhibits lethality, hemorrhagic activity and phospholipase activity by neutralizing the venom. [3]

Sexual desire enhancement

Mimosa root has aphrodisiac property which helps to enhance the sexual desire. An animal research study reported the aphrodisiac property of Mimosa root by comparing with sildenafil citrate. The ethanolic extract of Mimosa roots with different dosage 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg had given to both the gender of the albino mice. The result obtained from this experimental research reported that Mimosa root has aphrodisiac property and the effect is significant in male mice without providing adverse effects. [3]

Contraceptive

The anti-fertility effect of Mimosa root can be used as a contraceptive. An animal research study reported that dried methanolic Mimosa root extract was given to Swiss albino rats with an oral dose of 300 mg/ kg body weight/day. This treatment prolonged the estrous cycle and altered hormonal secretion of estradiol and gonadotropin release. Thus this herbal ingredient significantly reduce the number of ova by altering estrous cycle pattern in female animal participants. This therapeutic action may acts as a contraceptive. [3]

Mimosa root Side effects

The L-mimosine, the alkaloid present in Mimosa plant parts has depilatory activity, which retarded the growth rate by inhibiting the protein biosynthesis, as it structurally resembles with L-tyrosine. An animal research study reported that administration of mimosine caused significant hair loss. However, the Mimosa root contains less amount of L-mimosine compared with the leaves and stem of this plant. [2]

When should I avoid Mimosa root?

During Pregnancy and lactation, one should avoid Mimosa root due to lack of evidential support. [4]

References

1. A Review On Ethnobotanical and Traditional Uses of Mimosa pudica (Chui-Mui).
2. Mimosa- A brief overview.
3. MIMOSA PUDICA LINN- A SHYNESS PRINCESS: A REVIEW OF ITS PLANT MOVEMENT, ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS, USES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY.
4. Mimosa.