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General Description

Sensitive plant is a small, prostrate or ascending, s hort-lived shrub. Some authors consider it a woody herb. It may reach 1 m in height when supported on other vegetation and more than 2 m in horizontal extension. The reddish-brown, woody stems are sparsely or densely armed with curved prickles. The root system consists of a taproot and extensive fibrous roots with nodules. The twigs are fine and flexible and support leaves with one or two pairs of pinnae and 15 to 25 pairs of oblong leaflets 3 to 12 mm long. The flowers are pink and clustered in globose heads. The legume (pod) is linear-oblong, 1.0 to 1.5 cm long and 3 mm broad, with bristles on the margins. The pods are born in groups and contain two to four brown seeds (Howard 1988, Liogier 1988, Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk 2001). Sensitive plant is also known as dorme dorme, dormidera, humble plant, marie-honte, mayhont, morivivi, honteuse, sleeping grass, ti mawi, touch-me-not, and many other names (Holm and others 1977, Howard 1988, Liogier 1988). The great curiosity of sensitive plant and the source of most of its names is that when touched, it quickly folds its leaflets and pinnae and droops downward at the petiole attachment. The leaves also droop at night, and when exposed to rain or excessive heat. This response may be defenses against herbivorous insects, leaching loss of nutrients, or desiccation. [2]

Ecology

Sensitive plant grows on most well- drained soils, even scalped or eroded subsoils and soils with low nutrient concentrations. It requires disturbed soils to establish itself. Repeated burning may encourage its spread in pastures (Siregar and others 1990). Sensitive plant is shade intolerant and does not compete with tall vegetation or grow under forest canopies. The species’ roots produce carbon disulfide, which selectively inhibits colonization of the rhizosphere by mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi (Feng and others 1998). This plant occurs in croplands, orchards, pastures, mowed areas, roadsides, and areas disturbed by construction. It may grow as a single plant or in tangled thickets. Sensitive plant grows from near sea level up to 1,300 m in elevation (Holm and others 1977) and in areas with annual precipitations from about 1000 to over 2000 mm. The species is frost-sensitive. [3]

Reproduction

In the Philippines, sensitive plant flowers all year and may produce as many as 675 seeds per plant per year (Holm and others 1977). The species is both wind (Chieng and Huang 1998) and bee-pollinated (Payawal and others 1991). Air-dry seeds from Puerto Rico weighed an average of 0.0065 + 0.0002 g/seed. With no pretreatment, seeds from this collection began germinating 7 days after sowing and reached a maximum germination of 17 percent by 94 days (author’s observation). In another test, 80 percent germination was obtained in 4 weeks with alternating temperatures of 20 and 40 °C (Holm and others 1977). Bui (2001) recommends a pretreatment with hot water followed by overnight soaking. Germination is epigeal. Seeds are transported by means of the bristles on the edges of their pods that cling to clothing or to the fur of mammals. Most nursery and home propagation is done using seeds, but summer cuttings may also be used (Bui 2001). [4]

Chemical constituents

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of dried roots of Mimosa pudica were tested for their inhibitory activity on lethality, myotoxicity and toxic enzymes of Naja kaouthia venom. The aqueous extract, particularly the normal water extract, displayed a significant inhibitory effect on the lethality, myotoxicity and tested enzyme activities of venom compared with alcoholic extracts. The present finding suggests that aqueous extracts of M. pudica root possess compound(s), which inhibit the activity of cobra venom. [5]

Medicinal Uses of Makahiya, Huya-Huya, Ticke plant

The aqueous extracts of M. pudica root inhibit the activity of cobra venom.

According to Ayurveda, root is bitter, acrid, cooling, vulnerary, alexipharmic and used in treatment of biliousness, leprosy, dysentery, vaginal and uterine complaints, inflammations, burning sensation, fatigue, asthma, leucoderma, blood diseases.

News About Huya Huya (Sensitive Plant), Shame-A-Macka (Makahiya)

How to Grow Mimosa Pudica | Care and Growing Mimosa Pudica

(Balcony Garden Web)

Learn how to grow mimosa pudica (sensitive plant). Growing mimosa pudica plant is fun. It’s famous for its habit of closing up its foliage in night or when touched.

Mimosa pudica or ‘touch me not’ plant is grown as an ornamental plant in pots indoors as well as in the garden for its beautiful foliage that looks like fern and its flowers that looks like fluffy ball. The most interesting feature of mimosa pudica plant (sensitive plant) is its ability to fold the leaves when touched that’s why it is called ‘touch me not’. Basically mimosa pudica is a tropical plant but in cold climate you can grow it in pot and keep it indoors in winter.

USDA

Zones — 7 – 13

Soil pH — 6 – 7

Difficulty — Easy

Other Names — Sensitive plant, sleepy plant, shy plant, humble plant, shameful plant, touch-me-not, chuimui, amourette herbe, herbe sensible, pinahuixtle, quecupatli, mori vivi, chui-Mui, Lojjaboti Propagation

‘Touch me not’ plant is propagated by seeds and cuttings. It’s an extremely easy plant to grow and germinates quickly. Seed sowing must be done when temperature is warm.

In summer, take cuttings of woody branches, apply rooting hormone and plant them in starter mix. You can keep cutting in plastic bag until they form roots.

Requirements for Growing Mimosa Pudica
Sun

Mimosa pudica loves to grow in full sun, however it thrives in partial shade too.

Soil

Touch me not plant can adapt itself to any type of soil but it grows strong and vigorous in loose, moist and well drained soil.

If grown in pot it needs the soil mixed with the same amount of peat and sand.

Watering

Water regularly when plant is in active growth. In winter withhold or reduce watering.

Fertilization

Fertilize the plant with all purpose liquid fertilizer once in a month in growing season. Application of compost in spring is also helpful in healthy growth of plant.

Mimosa Pudica Care
Pruning

After flowering remove all dried and damaged stems and shorten those that are too long. Overwintering

In areas with harsh winters it is advisable to protect the foot of plant until the spring perks up with a light mulch of dry leaves or straw, you’ll also need to keep it indoors. Diseases and Pests

Avoid excess watering otherwise your plant will suffer from root rot. Some fungal diseases also affect it when the weather is particularly wet. Touch me not plant can also be attacked by aphids and scales.

WHY MAKAHIYA PLANT IS BEST HERBAL MEDICINE FOR KIDNEY STONE?

(Pinoy Refresher)

I have a cousin who had been diagnosed with a kidney stone, asked advice from the medicinal doctor if what are the natural medicine because if they buy the medicine in the pharmacy it will cost much on them. Now the medicinal doctor had advice them to use the traditional medicine.

The advice to them was to use the Makahiya plant. During that time they used to find a makahiya plant, the roots of the plant is being boiled and drink my cousin and later on her health had improved and healed. it did not cost much to them.

What is makahiya?

Makahiya Plant or Mimosa Pudica is a kind of plant which is very sensitive; if you touch to any part of it the leaves it will close automatically, it has a little thorny body.

How? The roots of the Makahiya plant or Mimosa Pudica are being boiled and drink by the patients or who has the illness.

Makahiya Tea with Benefits

(NCRP DOST)

A team of NRCP researchers found a new chemical compound from Antigonon leptopus (cadena de amor) and Mimosa pudica (makahiya) that is effective against xanthine oxidase -- the main complex chemical produced by human cells that causes gout. Gout is a disease triggered by an unsuccessful breakdown of uric acid. This leads to inflammation and swelling of bone joints especially in the smaller bones of the feet, accumulation of chalkstones, with episodes of acute pain.

The NRCP research team headed by Dr. Christine C. Hernandez, named the chemical compound they successfully isolated from cadena de amor’s crude extract as the anti-gout agent AF0501. Dr. Hernandez said that agent AF0501 has great potential to control and deter xanthine oxidase. This positive result encouraged them to do in-vivo and toxicity studies to makahiya’s crude extract which they also found to have exhibited prevention of uric acid formation.

Dr. Vina Rose A. Dahilig, Dean of Emilio Aguinaldo College of Pharmacy lauded this research work which she said has a promising breakthrough in finding alternative sources to treat hyperuricemia and holds a “key” in addressing the challenges in the therapeutic management of gout. The standard treatment for acute flares of gout includes: the use of colchicines, the most common treatment procedure but is considered toxic; NSAIDs; and other urate-lowering therapies like probenecid. But these may be restricted in those with limited renal reserve, she added.

Makahiya Tea with Benefits

(Marvin, Food Recap)

Mimosa pudica, known as the sensitive plant, is a creeping annual or perennial weed. We always pull it off because its a weed and the sharp torn causes scratches to our pretty feet. When touched or shaken, the compound leaves fold inward and droop almost instantly . They are shy indeed. Pudica means “shy”.

Benefits and How to Use
• The root is aphrodisiac and administered as a diuretic and used against dysentery and dysmenorrhea. However, it is emetic and poisonous in large doses.
• An infusion of the leaves is given for dysentery, and as a bitter tonic.
• The seeds are used for sore throat and hoarseness
• The entire plant in decoction is considered as an alterant and antiasthmatic.
• The leaves rubbed into a paste are applied to hydrocele , and also applied to glandular swellings.
• 1/10 decoction is given to gravel and similar urinary complaints. Useful in diseases arising from corrupt blood and bile
• The juice of the leaves is used to impregnate cotton wool for dressing in any form of sinus difficulty.
• The leaves and root in the powdered state are given with milk in cases of piles and fistula.
• The leaves are employed as a bath for pains of the hips and kidney.
• The juice is applied externally to fistulous sores.
• Recommended also for dysentery and diarrhea.
Antimicrobial Activity

Study of Germana, Molina et. al. entitled ” Inhibitory Activity of Makahiya (Mimosa pudica Linn) leaf extract to three test organisms (2015), shows Mimosa pudica Linn leaf extract can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis

A quote from trusty wikipedia, S. aureus is not always pathogenic, but it is a common illness like abscesses, and food poisoning. Promotes infections by producing potent protein toxins, and expressing cell-surface proteins that bind and inactivate antibodies.

On the contrary, Bacillus subtilis was not as bad as I thought. It is considered as benign microorganism according to Toxic Substances Control Act. Bacillus subtilis is beneficial. It is use in enzyme production. Amylase, protease and subtilisin. For antibiotic production: difficidin, oxydifficidin, bacilli, bacillomyin B, and Bacitracin. And last but not least, a fungicide for agricultural purposes.

From the study of Susana P. Racadio entitled “The Medicinal Prospects of Makahiya (Mimosa Pudica Linn) Plant (2016)”. Makahiya (Mimosa pudica Linn) plant has pharmaceutical potentials due to the presence of phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenes, its great microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and the antioxidant property it exhibited.

Study of Winston D. Balag-ey & Leonora E. Ngilangil entitled “Roots of Mimosa pudica Linn ‘Makahiya’ as an alternative treatment against urinary tract infections (2009)” showed, decocted roots maybe used to cure urinary tract infection (UTI). Twice a day intake with observed improvement on the third day.

Study of Monn Diane Alpuerto & Joanne Daclan entitled “The antibacterial activity of Mimosa pudica Linn. (Makahiya) leaf extract against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus(2003)” showed it is effective against both microorganisms.


Benefits And Uses Of “Mimosa Pudica” Better Known As “Makahiya” In The Philippines

By Jeny Rose Rodriguez

Mimosa pudica (from Latin: pudica “shy, bashful or shrinking”; also called sensitive plant, sleepy plant, Dormilones, touch-me-not, or shy plant) is a creeping annual or perennial herb of the pea family Fabaceae often grown for its curiosity value. The compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken, defending themselves from harm, and re-open a few minutes later.

This common weed widely distributed in the Philippines in open, moist, waste places, open grasslands and open thickets, at low and medium altitudes in settled areas.

Considered expectorant, anti asthmatic, analgesic, antispasmodic, alterant, sedative and antidepressant. Roots are bitter, astringent, acrid, alexipharmic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, constipating, cooling, diuretic, emetic, febrifuge, resolvent, vulnerary. Leaves are bitter, sudorific, tonic.

Benefits and How to Use:
1. The root is aphrodisiac and administered as a diuretic and used against dysentery and dysmenorrhea. However, it is emetic and poisonous in large doses.
2. An infusion of the leaves is given for dysentery, and as a bitter tonic.
3. The seeds are used for sore throat and hoarseness
4. The entire plant in decoction is considered as an alterant and antiasthmatic.
5. The leaves rubbed into a paste are applied to hydrocele , and also applied to glandular swellings.
6. 1/10 decoction is given to gravel and similar urinary complaints. Useful in diseases arising from corrupt blood and bile
7. The juice of the leaves is used to impregnate cotton wool for dressing in any form of sinus difficulty.
8. The leaves and root in the powdered state are given with milk in cases of piles and fistula.
9. The leaves are employed as a bath for pains of the hips and kidney.
10. The juice is applied externally to fistulous sores.

Recommended also for dysentery and diarrhea.

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The sensitive plant

By Daniela Stolfi-Tow

All kids growing up in Hawaii and Guam know sleepy grass. And as adults still can’t resist the urge to get down on the ground, stick our finger out, and touch the leaves one by one staring in fascination as the leaves close.

Until recently I never really knew much about it. I was surprised to find out it has medicinal uses. The roots, leaves and flower heads of the “mimosa pudica” are used by those who practice Ayurveda, a system of traditional medicine in India. They use the pudica plant in their treatment of inflammations, burning sensations, biliousness, leprosy, dysentery and uterine complaints.

The Greeks used mimosa pudica to help treat leprosy, jaundice and diseases arising from blood impurities.

The seeds and parts of the mimosa pudica plant contain mimosine. Extracts from the plant have been said to act as a moderate diuretic, depress duodenal contractions, reduce menorrhagia and promote regeneration of nerves.

I’ve also read it is a natural Viagra.

Mimosa pudica is from Latin: pudica “shy, bashful or shrinking”; also called sensitive plant, sleepy plant and the touch-me-not), is a creeping annual or perennial herb native to South America and Central America, but is now a pantropical weed.

And like us, people around the world have their own names for this plant.

In Indonesia, they call it “Putri Malu” or “Shy Princess”.

In Puerto Rico they call it Morivivi.

Afrikaans call it Kruitjie roer my nie.

In Jamaica its called a shama meaning its ashamed so it closes up.

Colombia , they call it “dormidera” means (sleeper herb ) and grandmothers use it when kids have problems sleeping as an infusión or tea.

In Trinidad and Tobago they call it, ”T’Marie” and children actually play a game with it, singing, ‘Mary Mary shut your door, Police coming to hold you,’ while touching the leaves and enjoying seeing them close and re-open.

In hebrew they call this plant אלתיגעבי (al-tiga-bi), meaning “don’t touch me”.

The sensitive plant

By Tim Low

IMAGINE SCIENTISTS HUNKERED over a plant, subjecting it to electric shocks, flames, chloroform, ether and X-rays.

Ahttp://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Provinces_of_the_Philippinesll this and more has been perpetrated on one little plant, the common sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), because of the amazing way it moves.

You may have seen this sprawling pink-flowered weed on roadsides or in lawns in tropical Australia. Touch its pinnate (feather-like) leaves and they fold and droop. Keep annoying the plant and the nearby leaves collapse as well until all the foliage dissolves before your eyes, leaving behind a few slender stems and disguised stacks of leaves.

This performance is a dramatic trick to avoid being eaten. The nutritious leaves recede from view, leaving behind prickly stems. Leaves droop by losing water from the base of the stalk. Potassium ions migrate across cell walls and the water follows. After the disturbance stops the leaves return to position slowly, taking up to an hour.

The drooping response can be induced in any number of ways, including sharp changes to temperature and barometric pressure, light and X-rays. This plant really is sensitive. But it can also learn to ignore actions that don’t matter, such as drips of water. It can even ‘remember’ to ignore drips it last felt a month ago.

Known also as tickle-me plant, touch-me-not, shy plant, humble plant and sleeping grass, this weed has intrigued naturalists for hundreds of years. Latin America is its native home, but because it spread around the world long ago, Australia became one of many places where it was studied. At the University of Queensland in the 1920s, Desmond Herbert was shaking and prodding plants while subjecting them to gases, including nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and ammonia.

Few people know that Australia also has native sensitive plants (Neptunia species). There are five species in our tropics and subtropics, but they attract less interest because they move slowly.

Australia also has mimosa bush (M. pigra), a prickly shrub from Latin America rated one of the nation’s worst weeds. There are suspicions it was brought into Australia in the 19th century as a curiosity because of its mildly sensitive leaves. If so, that was a very big mistake, because it spread from the Darwin botanic gardens to the Adelaide River floodplains and has now infested 80,000 hectares in northern Australia.


Health Benefits of Brazilian Mimosa Pudica – The Sensitive Plant

By Dr. Paul Haider

This is a plant that grows in Brazil, Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Caribbean and other parts of the world that has many health benefits. The leaves are interesting because upon being touched they fold up… thus people call it the “Sensitive Plant”.

This herb is used in India as a common contraceptive, animal studies show that taking Mimosa does slow down menstrual cycles and thus reduce the number of births.

Brazilian Mimosa also lowers blood sugar levels and has been used for this purpose in Ayurvedic Medicine for hundreds of years. And University studies show that blood sugar levels are lowered in animals taking Brazilian Mimosa.

Mimosa is also a good anti-depressant helping to boost your mood… and studies in many different Universities show that does work to well for depression.

Wound healing is much faster when taking Brazilian Mimosa, and it also helps with hemorrhoid symptoms too, and if you are suffering from heavy periods then Mimosa will help.

The leaves of the plant can be use to treat swollen glands and kidney pain. And studies are being done on the effectiveness of Brazilian Mimosa for uterine cancer and other tumors.

And the extract of the plant kills larval stages of some intestinal worms, and amazingly Brazilian Mimosa has been used to neutralize cobra venom.

Plus studies show that the extract of Brazilian Mimosa increases nerve regeneration by up to 40%.

You can buy Brazilian Mimosa in capsules on-line or order it from your local health food store.

About Mimosa Pudica on Menorrhagia

(Garden Guides)
Overview

Mimosa pudica has been a favorite of children in botany classes for generations. It has evolved the ability to close its leaves at the slightest stimulation. Mimosa pudica, or sensitive plant, is in the legume family and is a weed-like plant native to Brazil. The plant, considered an invasive weed in the Gulf Coast states, can form thick, hard-to-get-rid-of mats. It has several herbal properties and can be used in the treatment of various disorders, including menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding). Identification

There are over 300 species of Mimosa in the bean family and Mimosa pudica has the characteristic pods of the family. The plant is a viney creeper with slightly woody branches. It is an annual herb in most climate zones and is easy and quick to grow. Mimosa pudica tolerates truly terrible soil conditions, but does require disturbed soil to seed itself. The leaves are fine and pinnate on either side of the stem. Mimosa pudica gets a puffy little pink flower that will give way to a 1/2-inch pod carrying three to four seeds.

Habitat

Mimosa pudica can grow in eroded soils and has been tested and used in erosion control. In its native habitat the plant will be found growing in soils that have been disturbed or cultivated like croplands. It is sometimes found in moist waste ground or in shady thickets at the edges of forest land. Although Mimosa pudica can be found alone, it is most often growing into several other plants in a tangled jumble. The plant is frost sensitive and forms an excellent ground cover to protect other plants.

Medicinal Parts

The seeds and leaves are the parts of Mimosa pudica most often used medicinally. According to the Global Invasive Species Database, the roots can make a strong emetic. The database also says it is a mild diuretic, depresses duodenal contractions, regenerates nerves and reduces menorrhagia. Mimosa pudica also reportedly has antidepressant qualities. The seeds and other parts contain mimonsine, an amino acid known to cause hair loss and depressed growth in animals.

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is characterized by heavier than normal menstruation. It is caused by uterine fibroids or hormonal imbalances. Young women and the overweight tend to experience it more. The heavier bleeding can increase the chance of iron depletion and anaemia, toxic shock syndrome and decrease fertility. There are several over-the-counter treatments for the condition, and severe cases can require surgical intervention through hysterectomy or enodmetrial ablation. Natural herbal methods to treat the condition are an excellent way to approach treatment initially and hopefully avoid surgery.

Uses

Mimosa pudica can be used as an extract (from the seeds) and as a tea (from the leaves). Both parts are useful medicinally, especially in Ayurvedic and Naturopathic medicine. The plant is used in herbal medicine, but is not FDA approved since human trials are still ongoing. You can order the plant extract as a supplement, but not as a drug.


Touch-Me-Not – A Plant That Clearly Doesn’t Like to Be Touched

(Sumitra, Oddity Central)

I first heard about the Touch-Me-Not plant from my mother’s stories of her childhood. There were plenty of these where she grew up, and she had fun playing with them. But no matter how much she described the plant to me, I never could quite imagine how the phenomenon worked. Now, thanks to the internet, I can see it for myself ,on video.

The Mimosa Pudica (derived from Latin for shy), commonly known as the Touch-Me-Not, is very true to its name. It obviously doesn’t like to be touched, because running a finger along the leaf simply causes it to fold inwards. I’m not sure if touch really bothers the plant, but the phenomenon is very beautiful to look at. The exact reason for this peculiar behavior of the Touch-Me-Not is also unknown, but it is believed the plant uses this feature to thwart predators. The closing leaves supposedly scare them away. Apart from the stimulus of human touch, the leaves also close during night time. The plant has its origins in South and Central America, but it is actually found all around the world.

http://www.odditycentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Mimosa-Pudica-550x480.jpg

The closing motion of the leaves is what makes this plant so special. In school, we all learned plants are real organisms, but we rarely perceive them like that in real life. When the Touch-Me-Not starts to shrink and closes its leaves one by one, it’s a dramatic moment in which you feel the plant is actually alive.

https://youtu.be/g0LFBM3hOLs

Touch-Me-Not is popular as an ornamental plant, but needs to be handed with caution. A plant that is so sensitive to touch can actually be poisonous if ingested. It is especially dangerous for children who find it to be an object of great fascination.

https://youtu.be/MIV0-6O-dLM

Strangely enough, the leaves of the Mimosa Pudica don’t close up if you touch them right after they’ve opened up in the morning. I have no idea why that is, they’re probably too hungry for some photosynthesis…

Students of Ethnobotany: A plant too shy to touch

(By Michael Bo Zhang, Alien Plantation)

I do not know about you but when it comes to plants I tend to think of them as immobile living organisms. They cannot move parts of their bodies or move around like most animals can. That is, I held that thought until I came across a little shrub called the shy plant, shame plant, or sensitive plant.

Just as these names suggest, this little plant actually responds to touch or shaking by folding their small leaflets like it’s trying to avoid those actions! A very similar scenario would be a snail shrinking its head back into its shell when being poked in the head.

The scientific name given to this little plant is Mimosa pudica. It is a member of the Mimosaceae family. The shame plant is about the size of a typical potted plant that you would see in a garden. It is a perennial, dwarf shrub (about half a meter tall) that is native to the tropical regions of Mexico, Australia, and South America. Today the shame plant can be found in most tropical regions of the world but is mostly grown in India.

You may be wondering how and why does the shame plant fold their leaflets when being touched or shaken. Does it have nerves and muscles like animals do? The answer is not really. First of all the shame plant has two well-known movements. One movement is called the seismonastic movement. Stimuli such as touching, shaking, or change in temperature would make the cells located in the stem respond by releasing chemicals that would make the leaflet cells lose turgor pressure and ultimately shrink. The shrinking of the cells is what causes the leaflets to fold up. The sensory ability of the plant for different stimuli is achieved through chemical, electrical, and hydrodynamicaltransductions. The second type of movement is called nyctinastic movement. Nytinastic movement is periodical and is controlled by the plant’s biological clock. This causes the shame plant to fold its leaflets during night time and reopens them when light is present.

In addition to bringing curiosity to our eyes, the shame plant is also an herb intensely used in Ayurvedic medicine that is traditionally practiced in India. This plant contains a wide variety of natural chemicals that provide a surprising amount of disease cures. The shame plant has anti-bacterial, anti-venom, anti-depressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and many other pharmacological properties. Different chemicals in different parts of the plant can be used to treat various illnesses. The roots of the shame plant taste bitter and contain chemicals that have wound-healing, anti-venom, anti-fertility, and anti-inflammatory activities. Notable illnesses that can be treated by the roots include urinary complaints, leprosy, gynecological disorders, dysentery, and more. The leaflets are used to treat urinary infections and hemorrhoids by extracting the juice from the leaflets or making pastes out of them. It isimportant to note that there are also several treatment properties that can only be obtained from the whole plant. The plant as a whole possesses anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral activities. With so many medicinal uses all packed into one small plant, no wonder the shame plant is so intensively used by practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine.

Mimosa Pudica Seed Germination

(San Francisco Gate)

Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), also called touch-me-not, shameful plant and numerous other names, is one of the few plants that can be thought of as entertaining. If you touch a sensitive plant, its leaves instantly fold and droop, seeming to vanish in the blink of an eye. A woody perennial that grows about 18 inches tall, it is a common weed throughout the tropics. You can grow it outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 or as an annual in cooler climates. You can also grow it indoors.

Planting Basics

Sensitive plant seed pods are 1/2 inch long, each containing three or four tiny seeds. The seeds germinate on top of the soil. After you scrape their surface with a file, knife or sandpaper, soak the seeds in water then scatter them on a planting mix in full sun. You can sow seeds indoors at any time of the year if you keep the seeds moist and exposed to bright light at about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Sensitive plant seeds are inexpensive and widely available.

Storing Seeds

You can dry sensitive plant seeds without significantly reducing their ability to germinate, and you can freeze them for long periods. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, England, maintains a Millennium Seed Bank that stores frozen seeds of plants, including sensitive plant, that may become threatened and have potential use in the future. There is no immediate danger of sensitive plant becoming extinct. The Global Invasive Species Database of lists it as an invasive weed in tropical areas of Africa, Pacific islands and South Asia.

Treating Seeds

Horticulturalists at Kew’s tropical nursery used scalpels to scratch the hard surface of sensitive seeds then soaked them overnight. The seeds germinated easily and roots began to grow the next day. Kew reported 100 percent germination. Seeds not treated may start to germinate about a week after sowing.

Planting Mix

University of Oklahoma suggests a mixture of 1 part sand or perlite with 2 parts loam and 2 parts of peat moss and to keep the mix moist but not saturated. The seeds should germinate in two to three weeks at 70 F. Kew horticulturalists sowed the seeds on a compost mix containing 10 percent loam, 45 percent coir, obtained from the husks of coconuts, and 45 percent Silva-Fiber, a kind of wood fiber.

Plants Can Learn: It’s a No-Brainer!

By Monica Gagliano and Michael Marder (philosoplant)

When we consider the propensity to learn, plants are probably the last living beings that come to mind. They seem to be so passive, immobile, and completely determined by their attachment to the place, in which they are rooted, that any of the so-called “cognitive abilities” appear to be inapplicable to them. And this is not even to mention the holy grail of cognition—the central nervous system with extensive neural networks—that plants do not have.

At the same time, the suspicion that plants are capable of learning is not entirely new. While Sir J. C. Bose (1858-1937) proposed the idea just over a century ago, it has truly entered the arena of scientific enquiry only in recent years. The reason for the delay is obvious: one widespread assumption in the twentieth and even the twenty-first centuries has been that learning is reliant either on neuronal processes or, in the case of machines, on artificial neural networks modeled on their biological counterparts. With this assumption in the background, conducting experiments on or contemplating plant learning, memory, and decision-making have been interpreted as acts of sheer madness. But, in all fairness, although we have pondered human and animal learning since antiquity, we are still asking the basic questions about how learning really works because finding the answers is not an easy task even in these kinds of organisms.

So, how would we ask those same questions in plants? Do plants have motivations and preferences? Do they have expectations and, if so, how can we assess them? Do they make choices and if so, what are the implications for how we regard them? The creative challenge here is to develop suitable experimental and theoretical approaches that enable plants to show us what and how they learn, while avoiding the temptation to turn human or animal abilities into the standard template for these investigations.

If we consider the issue from the ground up, we realize that everything we know about the world, we learn through repetition. Learning from the things that we experience again and again is in fact one of the most effective ways of acquiring new behaviors, or of adjusting and refining old ones, in order to survive and flourish in a range of ecological and social settings. Why would plants be excluded from such a useful evolutionary process? Wouldn’t being barred from learning harm their chances for survival? Wouldn’t it be utterly wasteful, not to say dangerous, for them to register stimuli from their environments each time anew, without the accumulated memory of past experience that would enable them to respond appropriately in the future?

Like humans and many animal species, the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica, for example, also learns through repeated practice. Usually, when subjected to a disturbance for the first time, it instinctively closes its leaves, a mechanism designed to defend it against predators. But, as recent experiments have shown, Mimosa quickly learns that to continue closing its leaves when a repeated disturbance proves to have no negative consequences is a waste of energy. By considering the experience no longer threatening, this plant stops closing its leaves, a behavioral change motivated by the energetic reward that keeping its leaves open brings. After all, the opportunity for ‘feeding on sunlight’ drops considerably every time Mimosa keeps its leaves closed, which is something that can cost it dearly. That is where the learning processes steps in, helping the plant optimize its behavior.

Interestingly, the extent to which Mimosa is willing to keep its leaves open despite the disturbance depends on the environmental context. Experimental data clearly show that this plant does not simply react to the immediate stimuli available from the environment. Instead, it assesses a given situation and preferentially engages in behaviors that pay off from its perspective. The tendency of individual Mimosa plants to take the specific action of keeping the leaves open in response to a known disturbance is greater in limited light environments where the consequences of leaf closure can be dire. And, remarkably, the strength of Mimosa’s motivation to keep the leaves open does not loosen, as one may expect, when light conditions improve. These plants do not ‘relax’ when moved from a light-limited environment to one where light is abundant. They remain highly responsive and in a state of alertness, as if anticipating that the environment is likely to deteriorate again.

At every moment, plants, like humans and other animals, perceive a variety of things simultaneously, but they learn to focus their attention on whatever they need to perceive and exhibit a behavioral tendency to approach or avoid situations. In this process, repetition is the learning platform upon which motivation galvanizes and steers behavior toward specific goals and expected rewards. It is not by chance that, on the basis of plant learning, we comfortably use words such as motivation, tendencies, preferences, expectations and choices, which in everyday speech we often equate to feelings, desires, and conscious tendencies. As we learn about plant learning, the questions may not be about whether plants have motivations and preferences, expectations or choices, but what it means for us to know that they do.

How to Plant Mimosa Pudica

(San Francisco Gate)

The sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica), known also as shameplant or tickle me plant, gets its name due to the fact that its pinnate, fern-like leaves fold together and droop when touched. The sensitive plant grows as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 11, but will grow as an annual in colder zones. This herbaceous subshrub thrives in full sunlight and fast-draining, nutrient-rich soil. The best time to plant a sensitive plant is in the spring or early summer, after the last average frost date.

1. Pull any weeds and pick up and rocks or other debris from a planting site that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and contains fast-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Choose a site that contains 3 square feet of space, both vertical and horizontal, to accommodate the sensitive plant's mature height and width. Space the hole 3 feet away from other plants. Spread a 3- to 6-inch layer of compost over the site with a rake. Mix the compost into the top 10 to 12 inches of soil with a rototiller or garden rake.

2. Dig a hole in the site with a shovel or trowel. Make the hole twice as wide and equal in depth to the nursery-grown sensitive plant's root ball. Although starting a sensitive plant from seed is a possibility, the seedling will not flower for at least two years and its growth slows as the plant ages.

3. Slide the sensitive plant out of its container carefully so as not to damage any of its stems. Massage the bottom of the root ball gently, spreading the roots outward. Place the plant in the center of the hole. Add or remove soil from the hole as needed to position the top of the root ball level with the surrounding ground.

4. Backfill the hole with soil, tamping it down around the root ball. Do not overfill the hole or bury the root ball deeper than it was previously growing. Water the area thoroughly, applying 1 to 2 inches of water from a garden hose to thoroughly soak the root ball zone. 5. Water the sensitive plant when the top 2 inches of soil becomes dry. Water to a depth of 8 to 10 inches to encourage deep root establishment. Never allow the soil to dry out completely or become soggy.

6. Fertilize the sensitive plant when it begins to produce new growth, using a 20-10-20 nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium water-soluble fertilizer. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of fertilizer with 1 gallon of water in a watering can. Apply the fertilizer to the ground surrounding the plant at a rate of 2 1/2 gallons per square foot of soil. Reapply the fertilizer every 7 to 14 days during the growing season.

Things You Will Need
• Compost
• Rake
• Rototiller or garden fork
• Trowel or shovel
• Garden hose
• 20-10-20 (n-p-k) water-soluble fertilizer
• Watering can

Health Benefits of Touch-me-not Plant (Mimosa pudica)

By Dr.Gopi Krishna Maddikera

The most mysterious and fascinating plant everyone comes to learn about is the touch-me-not plant. This plant has gained popularity because of the drooping or shrinking reaction it has to touch or to various stimuli present in the environment. This plant is a catch because of this attribute.

But, what the people are unaware about are its various health benefits. This article will give you an exhaustive description of the various benefits you can reap out of this plant.

About touch-me-not plant (Mimosa pudica)

The touch-me-not plant is also known as Sensitive Plant. Around the globe, it has developed many nicknames because of its striking shy attributes like the sleepy plant, shy plant, shrinking plant or bashful plant in other parts of the world.

Mimosa Pudica is its botanical name. These plants are native to South and Central America but are now found around the world because of their fascinating response to human touch. The plant grows in shady areas like under trees.

The plant grows in shady areas like under trees.

The touch-me-not plant is not really shy or bashful. The leaves of this plant when touched fold or shrink inwards as a “rapid plant movement” to protect itself from harmful elements in the environment like grazing animals. However, after a few

However, after a few minutes, the leaves open again. The stems of this plant are prickly and the leaves are fern-like, with a ball-shaped pink colored flower. The plant also bears fruits of clusters of 2-8 pods.

Nutrient value and properties of touch-me-not plant

The touch-me-not plant is a mysterious element not only because of its drooping reaction when touched but also because it is abundant in so many nutrients and remains a subject of interest to undergo further exploration.

It helps in the treatment of many disorders like piles, dysentery, sinus, insomnia, diarrhea, alopecia and is also applied to cure wounds since ages.

Touch-me-not plant helps as it has antibacterial, antivenom, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, anticonvulsant, anti-fertility and anti-asthmatic properties. It is known to have emetic, sedative and tonic properties.

It is very rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, non-protein amino acid (mimosine), tannins, sterols, terpenoids and fatty acids. All this makes the touch-me-not plant a helpful and promising herbal candidate.

Health benefits of touch-me-not plant (Mimosa pudica)

The touch-me-not plant beside being a fun intriguing element of nature is also filled with a lot of health benefits. The list below gives you the health benefits this plant boasts about and how you can incorporate them in times of need.

1. For minor cuts and wounds

The juice extracted by crushing a few leaves of this plant and applied on the wound will work wonders. This plant has healing properties through which the pain will subside easily.

2. For excessive bleeding during menstruation

The touch-me-not plant comes useful to control excessive bleeding during menstruation. For this,

Extract 6 teaspoons juice of this plant and mix it with honey.

Drink this home remedy 3 times a day.

Or you can extract juice from the root of this plant and take 5ml every 2hours mixed with honey and pepper.

3. Cures piles or bleeding piles or haemorrhoids and improves sexual potency in men

Touch-me-not plant in its powder form is also beneficial.Simply make a powder from its leaves and mix 1 teaspoon in a glass of milk. Drink this twice a day.

Or take the root of this plant and dry it.

Now grind this dry root and add 1 teaspoon of this powder to 2-4 tablespoon of curd. Take this every morning.

4. For joint pain or arthritis

This plant also helps cure joint pain.

For this, you need to make a paste from the leaves of this plant and apply it on your joints. Leave it for the night and then wash it the next morning.

By doing this daily you will notice the difference, as the swelling and pain from the joints will start to subside.

5. For treating diabetes

Low blood sugar level is another benefit by drinking the juice of this plant. This is good news for the diabetics.

Drink 30ml juice of this plant religiously morning and evening. Within 7-10 days you will notice the difference in your blood sugar levels.

6. For treating diarrhea

Juice from the leaves of this plant helps to treat indigestion. Drink a dose of 30ml to see good results.

7. For treating jaundice

Yes. It also works for treating jaundice. Extract juice from the leaves of this plant and administer 20-40ml twice a day for three weeks.

8. For treating stomach ache and intestinal worms

For treating stomach ache and the problem of intestinal worms all you have to do is:

Make a paste from the leaves of this plant. For 3-4 days take this paste once a day mixed with honey.

9. To cure itching

To get rid of the itchy skin,Just make a paste from the root of this plant and apply it to the affected area.Or make a paste by extracting the juice of this plant and add Sesame oil.

The consistency of the paste should be such that the juice of this plant makes up ¾ of the paste. Apply this over the affected area.

10. To cure gum problems and toothache

You can gargle with the decoction made from the roots of this plant to maintain good oral hygiene and cure toothache.

11. For treatment of glandular swelling and hydrocele

Prepare a juice from the leaves of this plant and apply on the affected area for treatment of glandular swelling and hydrocele. By doing this the burning sensation and swelling will subside.

12. To uplift sagging breast

13. For treating snake bites

Touch-me-not is proven to fight the venom of snakes as dangerous as the cobra.

In a case of such emergencies prepare a decoction of its roots (10gm) in 400ml of water and drink it twice a day.

14. For treating insect bites

In a case of insect bites grind the leaves and stem of this plant and apply on the affected area. Do this remedy twice a day.

15. Treating insomnia/sleeplessness

Take leaves of this plant (5gm) and crush them to make a paste.

Boil this paste in hot water and strain. Take this during nighttime and within 15-20 days you will see the results.

16. For treating asthma

Prepare the juice of this plant (15ml) and drink it twice a day.

This will help in treating asthma.

17. For treating high blood pressure

Take leaves of this plant and crush them to extract the juice. Consume 15 ml twice a day and say goodbye to your high blood pressure issues.

18. For treating premature ejaculation

Take the seeds of this plant and mix with equal quantities of sugar. At night take 2 teaspoons of it with warm milk.

19. Fights hair loss

The Mimosa Pudica plant helps in the growth of new hair cells and helps to control hair loss and baldness. It is advised to use herbal shampoos containing the extracts of this plant.

20. Treating fractures

Out of its many health benefits, this plant also helps to treat fractures of the bone.Simply make a paste of the leaves and apply on the affected area.

Word of caution

Although the touch-me-not plant shows many help benefits, it should not be consumed by pregnant and lactating women. If taken in high quantities it can prove fatal. Also, you should avoid using it if you suffer from constipation or hypomenorrhea (scanty periods).

Now that you know all the health benefits of shy, bashful Mimosa Pudica it can prove to be helpful in your day to day activities. Be careful regarding the doses or contact an Ayurveda specialist.

Mimosa pudica: U Can’t Touch This!

(Waheed, Tropical Biodiversity)

Mimosas all round? No, definitely not the alcoholic beverage! The mimosa I’m talking about is Mimosa pudica L. [Fabaceae], a creeping herb that’s continuing to fascinate the world – both botanists and non-botanists alike!

Mix one part of thoroughly chilled mimicry with one part of sparkling brilliance, sit back, and watch the leaflets fold…

Taxonomy

M. pudica was described by Carl Linnaeus, and is the type species for the genus. The generic name Mimosa is derived from the Greek word mimos (meaning mimic), while the specific epithet comes from the Latin word pudicus (meaning bashful or shrinking to contact). Some may refer to this species as the “sensitive plant” or even as the “shameful plant” because of its very unique and characteristic touch-sensitive leaves. In fact, the species has a huge range of common names in many languages, some of which include:

• English: sensitive plant, touch-me-not plant, humble plant, shameful plant
• French: amourette herbe, herbe sensible, sensitive épineus, mimosa pudique
• Spanish: vergonsoza, dormidera, ten vergüenza
• Nahuatl, Mexico: pinahuixtle, quecupatli
• Hispaniola: mori vivi
• Haiti: honte
• Portuguese: dormideira
• Urdu: Chui-Mui
• Bengali: Lojjaboti
• Chinese: hánxiū cǎo (shyness grass)
• Sinhala, Sri Lanka: Nidi kumba
Distribution

M. pudica is widespread in Central America, northern South America and the Caribbean. This taxon has also been introduced to many countries around the world and is not considered to be threatened or in decline. Surprisingly, however, it is included in the Global Invasive Species Database as one of the world’s worst invasive weeds – affecting forestry plantations, croplands, orchards and pastures throughout South Asia, the Pacific Islands and in parts of Africa. The plant is also poisonous to ruminant grazers through the bacterial breakdown of the non-protein amino acid mimosine.

Management of the species is best practised before the plants establish larger populations. Hand-weeding of mature plants is difficult because the plant bears prickles, which can break off and irritate the skin. Herbicides such as foliar sprays of glyphosate are widely used to control the species, but thorough wetting of all leaf surfaces is essential; if plants are disturbed before spraying, the leaves will fold up and the herbicide will be ineffective. Fire can also be used as a management tool, but fire alone may actually increase M. pudica densities by plant regrowth and enhanced seed germination.

Although no work has been undertaken on the biological control of M. pudica, there may be possibilities in view of the successful biological control programmes against the related M. invisa.

Species description

M. pudica is an annual or perennial herb, normally growing to 50-70 cm tall, often as a straggling subshrub. Its stems have sparse prickles, around 2-2.5 mm long. The leaves are alternately arranged and bipinnate (twice compound). The pinnae are digitate (shaped like a spread hand), and bear 10-26 pairs of linear-oblong leaflets on each pinna. Stipules are persistent (remaining in place), lanceolate in shape and striately-nerved from the base.

The flowers are lilac or pink (the colour is mainly of the stamen filaments) and are held in ovoid, stalked heads (characteristic of the subfamily Mimosoideae). The calyx is minute, about 0.2 mm long, whereas the corolla is larger (2-2.3 mm long) and containing four stamens. The pods are 1.8 cm × 3-5 mm, densely bristly with brown-tipped tapering hairs along their margins[6].

Introduction pathways to new locations are via floating seed pods and local dispersal methods on animals (attaching to fur). Once germinated, seedlings grow slowly for two or three months and then accelerate, reaching 0.5-2 m of extension at the end of the first year!

Plant movement

Despite its invasive properties, the sensitive plant is popular in cultivation around the world, and is enjoyed by many as a curiosity due to its highly touch-sensitive leaves. The famous microscopist Robert Hooke was one of the first to investigate the movements of M. pudica, and at that time it had been suggested that plants had nerves and tissues similar to those in animals. But plants don’t have a nervous system or muscles, so how is the rapid movement generated?

Well, it was only later discovered that the leaves fold as a result of the internal movement of water, and the mechanics of the touch-sensitive (thigmonastic) process are now well-documented. These are centred around a motor structure (called the pulvinus), consisting of a rod of sclerenchyma and collenchyma cells (strengthening tissue).

In the extended, unstimulated position, the cells of the entire collenchyma are turgid (distended with water) and the leaflets are held outwards. On receiving the action potential signal through a touch stimulus, the cells in the pulvinus respond by expelling potassium (K+) and chloride ions (Cl–), and taking up calcium ions (Ca2+). The resultant osmotic gradient draws water out of these cells, causing them to shrink temporarily (plasmolysis) and lose structural rigidity; in this contracted position, the pulvinus no longer functions as a support and the petiolules and petioles droop – leaving the plant in its folded state.

There’s no better way to understand this remarkable thigmonastic process than to watch it in action… “Stop, hammer* time!”

https://youtu.be/OB8Uu9FIN9o - No plants were harmed in the making of this video.

This rapid plant movement is thought to act as a defence against herbivores, which may be deterred by the dramatic response or, if they are small, may be dislodged as the leaves collapse.

M. pudica is not the only member of the Fabaceae family to show thigmonastic movements. Other legumes (e.g. some members of the genera Neptunia, Acacia, Albizia and Samanea) respond to a lesser degree by showing “sleep movements” (nyctinasty)[7]. This involves the closing up of the leaves a few hours before dusk, and re-opening a few hours before dawn (controlled by the circadian clock and light signal transduction through phytochromes). It’s thought these nyctinastic movements aid water conservation as well as defence against herbivory.

Other uses

M. pudica has been used widely in traditional medicine, from treating glandular swellings in India to relieving lower back and kidney pain in the Republic of the Congo. The plant has also been used to treat sleep disorders and, in Senegal, an infusion of the leaves is believed to be calming and sleep-inducing… But that’s not the whole story. While root extracts have shown anti-bacterial properties, too much can be aphrodisiacal (stimulating sexual desire) and, along with the seeds, can function as a strong laxative and induce vomiting!

Before you get too worried (or excited), M. pudica is not yet used in Western medicine as pharmaceutical companies continue to investigate its reported medicinal properties.

Similar species

M. pudica is similar to M. pigra (giant sensitive plant) and M. diplotricha var. diplotricha (creeping sensitive plant), both of which also bear pink globular inflorescences and prickles. You’ll be relieved to hear that differences in habit, leaf-branching and fruit help distinguish these three species:

• M. pudica is a relatively small plant, with a spreading (prostrate) habit. Leaves are not branched (with one or two pairs of branchlets) and pods are relatively small (1-2.5 cm long), containing only 1-6 one-seeded segments.
• M. pigra is a larger shrub with an upright (erect) growth habit. Leaves are large and much-branched (with 6-16 pairs of branchlets). Its pods are relatively large (3-8 cm long) and contain 14-26 one-seeded segments.
• M. diplotricha is also an upright (erect) shrub, but can also be climbing in its habit. The leaves are branched (with 4-9 pairs of branchlets), but the pods are relatively small (1-3.5 cm long) with only 3-5 one-seeded segments.
Coverage in the wider community…

The fame of M. pudica doesn’t stop there – in fact, non-scientists alike have continued to be intrigued by the plant’s remarkable capabilities. The species even has its own “Vine” (a Twitter-owned mobile app that enables users to create and post short video clips) which has clocked up a remarkable 1.4 million views. The page has also been shared on Facebook over 70,000 times!

One business from the USA has taken the opportunity to exploit the plant’s thigmonastic movements by marketing its seeds as TickleMe Plant®. Complete with a cartoon and colouring pages to entertain the younger audience, the strategy inspires the wider community not to lose “touch” with our living world. There is a real sense of adventure in raising your own TickleMe Plant® and, if no seed grows “to the point where the second set of leaves move when you tickle them”, the company will even replace the seeds. You can’t get a much better deal than that now, can you…?

Final words

Alcoholic beverages, problematic weed control, a huge array of medicinal symptoms, social networking prowess… it’s clear this species really does get around! It’s not hard to work out why either. M. pudica has far-reaching interests, not only for botanists but also for the much wider, non-scientific community too. There aren’t many plants out there which have a Facebook page and a Vine dedicated to them! Much of the current research focusses on the species’ many reported medicinal properties with a potential for drug development in the future… So M. pudica could well be coming to a shelf near you! Unbeleafable? You decide!

The Health Benefits of Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica)

(Healthy Benefits)

The sensitive plant is a trailing plant; the stems have numerous thorns generally hairy where they sprout from 4 to 8 small leaves. It has a mauve coloured round headed flowers. The fruit is an oblong linear pod about 2 centimetres long. Sometimes known as sleeping grass, bashful mimosa, touch-me-not, or the humble plant, the sensitive plant is actually native to Brazil, but it is invasive there and is often considered a weed. It is also found in many parts of tropical America and India.

Although it is known by several names, it is often called the sensitive plant because of its ticklish-like nature that happens whenever its leaves are touched. This herb is used in India as a common contraceptive, animal studies show that taking sensitive plant does slow down menstrual cycles and thus reduce the number of births.

A topical paste made from sensitive plant leaves has been known as a haemorrhoid therapy since at least in the 16th century. For those experiencing the misery and agony of haemorrhoids, sensitive plant offers several benefits. If you know anything about the history of shaving, you may have heard of a styptic pencil, which is a small, crayon-like device that is able to stop the bleeding that results from a shaving cut.

In Western medicine, Mimosa root is used for treating insomnia, irritability, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menorrhagia, haemorrhoids, skin wounds, and diarrhoea. It is a mood enhancer and improves circulation of the blood. Some believe sensitive plant can reduce the onset of baldness.

All parts of the sensitive plant are said to be toxic. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Due to its toxicity, it is best to consult with your physician before using Mimosa. Safety in young children or those with severe liver or kidney disease is not known.

Partnership forged to promote healthy food, medicinal plants

(Special Correspondent)

“When tribals have fever, they pluck a handful of Mimosa Pudica, the herb popularly known as the Touch-Me-Not, boil it for 15 minutes in water, and drink it. Your fever will come down in 15 minutes against the 30 minutes it takes after consuming a paracetamol.”

This was an example cited by R. Balasubramaniam, founder and president of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), to emphasise the importance of local and indigenous knowledge at a press conference convened after the conclusion of a week-long workshop on ‘Healthy Food, Healing Plants’, at the Vivekananda Institute of Leadership Development on Friday.

Also, when it was found that milk and curds were not part of the food culture of tribals, efforts were made by volunteers to make them consume milk and curds so that their bodies got calcium. But, they did not find it palatable and rejected it. “We later realised that they were receiving calcium from ragi, which is a rich source of the mineral,” he said.

Barely three or four persons out of every 1,000 tribals visiting SVYM’s tribal hospital in Kenchanahalli in H.D. Kote are diagnosed with diabetes or blood pressure. “Whenever a tribal is diagnosed with these diseases, the doctors cross-check the results because these lifestyle diseases are a rarity,” he said. In contrast, 30 to 40 non-tribals out of every 1,000 treated at the hospital are diagnosed with these diseases, he said.

Attributing the good health of tribals to their food habits, Dr. Balasubramaniam said their centuries-old food habits were in the danger of being lost. There was not only a need for growing and promoting healthy food and medicinal plants, but also build and foster partnerships across the globe, he said.

The Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies, an initiative of SVYM, and The Engaged Cornell Initiative of Cornell University, USA, jointly hosted the the workshop, which had diverse participation from various community partners including representatives from Malawi, Tanzania and Dominican Republic, besides India. The participants representing 13 different organisations from five countries discussed ways they could cultivate and promote plants as healthy food and medicine.

Mimosa pudica: a fast moving plant

By Sarah Shailes

This week’s organism is a creeping annual or perennial plant native to South America and Central America. It is a member of the legume family and like many of its relatives it can form a symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (see my recent post on Medicago truncatula). However, it is more well-known for its ability to fold up its leaves rapidly when touched and is also known as “the sensitive plant”. The video below shows Mimosa pudica in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgNTRaxgVtg

As you can see the leaflets fold up in response to touch. The speed of this response is dependent on the strength of the touch stimulus. In the video above the pencil hit the leaf hard and quickly so the leaflets folded very quickly but a gentle touch results in slower closure that tracks up the leaf. See the second video:

https://youtu.com/watch?v=MPXdbF9lm1g

It is thought that the movement is a defence mechanism hoping to deter herbivores and perhaps dislodge insects that try to eat it. A few minutes after the touch stimulus the leaves will usually reopen. The leaves also close up at night (when they are not needed for photosynthesis) and reopen each morning.

But plants don’t have a nervous system or muscles! How is the rapid movement generated? At the base of the leaflets are groups of cells that act a bit like a joint. Normally during the day these cells are full of water (turgid) and this gives the cells a fairly rigid structure that holds the leaflets out. When the leaflet is touched an electrical signal from the site of contact is transitted through the cells of the leaflet. When the electrical signal reaches the cells at the base of the leaflet it triggers the release of potassium ions (K+) and chloride ions (Cl– ) and subsequently the release of water from the cells. This causes the cells to become more flaccid (bit like a deflating air mattress losing its firm shape) and the “joint” bends closing the leaflets. The stimulus can be transmitted between cells along the leaf so that the whole leaf can close up in response to a single touch.

The electrical signals stimulated by touching Mimosa pudica are not unlike those generated in mammalian nervous systems. However, electrical signals in Mimosa pudica travel over 1000 times slower at 20–30 mm/s compared to in mammalian nerves 100 m/s (2). In the mammalian nervous system electrical signals travel along specialist cells called neurones and at the boundary between two neurone cells (synapse) chemical neurotransmitters are released to activate an electrical signal in the following neurone. This is not the case in Mimosa pudica. The leaf cells are electrically connected by cytoplasmic bridges (plasmodesmata) so a single electrical signal can travel through many leaf cells towards the cells at the base of the leaflet.

Rapid folding of its leaves is not the only herbivore defence Mimosa pudica has. The plant contains a toxic amino acid called mimosine (leucenol). Despite its toxic effects in animals there is evidence that it can neutralise the venom of poisonous snakes (2,3) so it may have the potential to be developed into a drug in the future.

Special thanks go to the creators of the videos and the university professor that introduced me to this fascinating plant!

Why Do Touch-Me-Not (Mimosa Pudica) Leaves Close When Touched?

(Ashish, Science ABC)

When it comes to playing with plants, there’s no greater pleasure than touching the leaves of the touch-me-not plant and watching them recoil, shrink, and “go to sleep”. I used to do it a lot as a kid, and still do, whenever a chance presents itself.

There were a lot of those ‘kid stories’ that surrounded this fascinating behavior of the plant’s leaves (some of which I believed, by the way). As we grew older, the stories transformed a bit to accommodate the real biological reason behind the great touch-me-not mystery.

So, without further adieu, let’s look at why touch-me-not leaves “go to sleep” when you touch, shake or blow air at them.

Meet Mimosa Pudica

There are certain plant species that undergo structural changes in a very short span of time; this is known as ‘rapid plant movement’. This happens when the receptors present in the plant’s body are activated by an alteration or modification of the plant’s shape. Mimosa pudica, better known as the ‘touch-me-not plant’, is one of the few plants that demonstrate this rapid plant movement. Although native to South and Central America, touch-me-nots are now found all over the world due to their amazing response to human touch.

Why do the leaves go to sleep when touched?

If you think that this contraction of leaves is an interesting phenomenon, you’re going to like the reason behind why the plant does it even more!

Water within the cells and other cell contents apply a certain amount of force against the cell walls of the plant; this is called turgor pressure. It is due to turgor pressure that the leaves of this plant stay upright unless disturbed externally. Now, when you touch or shake the leaves (known as seismonastic movements), the swollen base of the leaf stalk (called the ‘pulvinus’), which contains certain contractile proteins, is activated.

When disturbed externally, certain regions of the plant trigger a release of various chemicals, including potassium ions, within the body of the plant. These chemicals make water and electrolytes flow/diffuse out of the cell, resulting in a loss of cell pressure. This causes the cell to collapse, which squeezes the leaves shut. Stimuli, in the form of touch, is sometimes transmitted to neighboring leaves as well, causing something like this to happen:

Mesmerizing Makahiya

By Joyda Mendiola (Occasions Of Joy)

There's something mesmerizing about watching Makahiya fold its leaves inward or droop when touched or shaken, then re-opening minutes later. At Island Cove last week, Nora and I relieved out childhood memories of this wonderful plant. We showed it to our respective daughters and they too were amazed of Makahiya's characteristic, but these girls aren't familiar with it.

I remember growing up playing with makahiya for hours at the back of our house, many years ago when there were plenty of soil instead of cemented ground. Nowadays, I seldom see Makahiya, that's why every travel to provinces is an opportunity to see one.

What is Makahiya then? It is native to South America and Central America but also found in most countries with shady areas, many trees or shrubs. It is also called sensitive plant, sleepy plant and the touch-me-not. Its scientific name is Mimosa pudica (from Latin: pudica "shy or shrinking".

The next time you travel in the provinces be sure to introduce Makahiya to your children. It'll definitely be an entertainment for their curious minds.

RP scientists developing cure for malaria out of makahiya plant

(GMANews.TV)

Government scientists are now looking at the possibility of developing an herbal medicine for malaria from the "makahiya" plant.

Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, said Wednesday that the research on makahiya is among the studies being pursued by the agency for herbal medicine.

Montoya told reporters during a forum in Quezon City that the study on the medicinal value of makahiya (scientific name: Mimosa pudica) came upon after reports that minority groups in the Philippines boil the roots and leaves of the herb and drink the broth as cure for malaria.

He explained that a government survey done in the 1970s showed that some tribes in the Cordillera and Visayas have been using this method.

“Now we’re still studying which part of the plant has the chemical and the active ingredient that can be used as cure for malaria," he said.

Montoya said that as of the latest government tally, only 20 of the 81 provinces in the country have not reported cases of malaria.

The DOST official, however, said that one of the concerns at this point are the reported cases of malaria strains that are resistant to medication like those in Palawan.

Montoya said this happens when a strain of the malaria virus develops resistance to a specific drug.

He said the government allocates around P7 million annually for the development of herbal medicines in the country.

Existing drugs from herbs include lagundi tablet and pediatric syrup for cough and asthma; sambong tablet for urolithiasis; akapulko lotion for fungal infection; yerba Buena tablet for pain relief and ampalaya tablet for diabetes.

Montoya said other possible herbal medicines in the pipeline are saluyot for constipation and guyabano and guava for tuberculosis.

Tickle Me Houseplant – How To Make A Tickle Me Plant Grow

By Nikki Phipps (Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden)

It’s not a bird or a plane but it sure is fun to grow. The tickle me plant goes by many names (sensitive plant, humble plant, touch-me-not) but all can agree that Mimosa pudica is a must have in the home, especially if you have kids.

What Kind of Plant is a Tickle Me Plant?

So what kind of plant is a tickle me plant exactly? It’s a shrubby perennial plant native to tropical regions. The plant can be grown outdoors as an annual but is more commonly grown indoors for its unusual growing characteristics. When touched, its fern-like leaves close up and droop as if being tickled. Mimosa plants will also close their leaves at night. This unique sensitivity and ability to move has fascinated people since early times, and kids are especially fond of the plant.

Not only are they fascinating, but attractive too. Tickle me houseplants have prickly stems and, in summer, produce fluffy pink, ball-shaped flowers. Since the plants are commonly grown around children, the thorns can easily be removed with a nail clipper to prevent any possible injury, though rare.

How to Make a Tickle Me Plant Grow

Outdoors, these plants prefer full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Indoor tickle me plants should be placed in a bright or partially sunny location of the home. While potted plants can be purchased, they’re actually just as easy (and more fun) to grow from seed.

How to make a tickle me plant grow from seed isn’t difficult at all. The most important thing to keep in mind is soaking of the seeds in hot water overnight prior to planting them. This will simply help them to germinate quicker. Gently plant the seeds about 1/8 of an inch deep in potting soil. Gently water or mist the soil and keep it moist but not overly wet. It also helps to cover the top of the pot with clear plastic until it sprouts, though it’s not required.

Place your tickle me houseplant in a warm area, with temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (21-29 C). Cooler temps will make it more difficult for the plant to develop and grow properly. In fact, this can cause it to take up to a month longer to grow. Once sprouts appear, the plant can be moved to a brighter location. You should see its first true leaves within a week or so; however, these leaves cannot be “tickled.” It will take at least a month or more before the tickle me plant is ready to react to touch.

Caring for Tickle Me Houseplant

Care for tickle me plant is minimal. You’ll want to water the plant well during its active growth and then sparingly in winter. Tickle me plants can be fertilized with a general houseplant or all-purpose fertilizer in the spring and summer.

If desired, the plant can be moved outside for summer and brought back indoors once temperatures begin to fall below 65°F. (18 C.). Remember to acclimate plants both before putting them outdoors and bringing them back inside. Outdoor garden plants will not come back; therefore, you will have to either save the seeds or take summer cuttings in order to enjoy them again the following year.

The Makahiya Plant

Source:http://huwebes.myonlyhome.com/2013/07/makahiya-plant.html
(Huwebes)

The Makahiya Plant is a very interesting species of plant found in the Philippines. It has a variety of nicknames associated with it due to its unique characteristics. Its scientific name is Mimosa pudica but others call it the sensitive plant or the "touch me not". The Makahiya plant is a perennial herb. It has compound leaves that sticks together and closes in whenever it is touched or when it is shaken. Afterwards it takes a few minutes for it to unfold its leaves.

When it is young, its stems stand erect but then it trails as it matures. It is slender and mildly pricky. Usually it is 5 ft tall. Its leaves are bipinnate by nature consisting of up to 26 leaves per pinna. Its petals are red with pink filaments or sometimes lavender. The plant achieves its pollination by the help of winds and insects.

The Makahiya plant is similar to other species of plants. During the night its foliage closes but opens in daylight. But aside from that its leaves have other stimuli which make it close down. It reacts to touch, wind or any sort of vibration. The decrease of turgor pressure is what causes such reactions. Turgor pressure is the force which the waters within the cell vacuoles apply to its walls. Whenever Makahiya is touched the stems get stimulated and releases chemicals resulting in the closing movement of its leaves. Other explanations say that it is also a way of the plant to defend itself from insects that are harmful.

The Makahiya have had other names such as the humble plant, chuimui (Urdu word for "to die when touched") or the ant plant. It has been called the Makahiya in the Philippines which means "a tendency to be shy". Though it is slender and gentle in its figure, the Makahiya plant is a harmful weed which may cause troubles for crops such as corns, sugar cane, papaya, bananas, cotton and coffee. Research has shown that these plants have nitrogen fixing bacteria living in them.

The Makahiya plant has a famous old legend in the Philippines. According to old stories, there once lived a wealthy couple who had a very kind daughter. Her name was Maria and she had all kinds of good traits in personality and character. But along with those good assets was an intense shyness. Because of this she had a trouble speaking with other people and would avoid them even. And because of it too, she had made for herself a garden where she would spend most of her time.

One day, thieves came to the village and out of fear, Maria's parents hid her in that garden and prayed for God's protection. When the bandits arrived they took everything they could from her parents. They also knocked them down in the process. When her mother woke up, she went into the garden to look for Maria but she could not find her. Tired and hopeless she started to believe that the thieves took her daughter with them. But then she felt a flower on her feet. And looking down at it convinced her that it was Maria. She had turned into a flower as God answered their prayer to protect her. Her mother cried and each plant that was touched by her tears transformed them into the same flower. It was the same as Maria who was so shy.


Makahiya (Tickle Me): A Bashful Breakthrough

(buyeyel, definitelyfilipino)

Over the years, they are nothing but a lingering half-woody shrub spreading around house backyards. And suddenly pulled out off compulsively made gardens enclosing flowering and scented plants, not to mention garden-savvies who even use chemicals to prevent them from spurting. But Makahiya plants no longer harass embarassments, although they were not able to dominate the celebrity in the Plant Kingdom, now they happen to be pet plants for children.

Because Philippines is blessed to its tropical climate–often manifested by moist areas, open grasslands and thickets, Makahiya plants or mimosa pudica highly breeds in the remote provinces of the Eastern Pearl where its commonness made the Filipinos unaware of what they can constitute to their children. The plants are just taken for granted most of the time and passed by without even sensing a picturesque of makahiya’s benefits.

Because of its sensitivity, Filipino children have fun as they touch or tickle its inequilateral oblong leaves that folds together, and after minutes it will reopen and back to its normal apperance. In Science, it is called seismonastic movement, this is due to a rapid change in turgor pressure and changes in membrane permeability in the pulvini cells in the leaf regions with rapid movement of calcium ions.

In the United States, the makahiya plant is now dubbed as a Tickle Me Plant and endorsed to American children. Aside from their playful instinct toward the plant, scientists revealed that children playing up with the Tickle Me Plant triggers their attention of valuing things as they take care of the plants, water them and expose them to sunlight on the morning,that is,children learn the value of responsibility and love.

Their interaction with the makahiya plants must also elicit them to be interested on other plants. As the years will pass children will learn to value every plant around their environment. Tickle Me project is a good example of responsible environment values for it hit the children–the future generation.

So, what if the Filipino families encourage their children to do the same? Well, it is not impossible yet they can have those Tickle Plants for free and there is no need to seed them in a pot because at their very own open surroundings they can have them.

In addition, since makahiya plants are conducive of surviving even without watering them at all (because it will just depend on rain shower as its source of water), children can also play at them. For at once every Filipino must have played the Tickle Me plant when they were children.

While Americans have to go at www.amazon.com and order for seeds just to have some few of makahiya, Filipinos enjoy the privilege to just go out of their house and look for them.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Mimosa pudica

(Buzzle)

Every part of the plant, be it the seeds, leaves, and the roots is said to have high medicinal value. The following Buzzle article elaborates more on the traditional and medicinal uses of Mimosa pudica.

Touch-Me-Not Plant

The stimulus of touch causes the leaves of the Mimosa pudica plant to rapidly fold inwards. This seems like a way of protecting itself as the plant appears dead, and any grazing animal is likely to ignore eating the plant.

The Mimosa pudica, a perennial herb indigenous to Central America, has uses documented in Ayurveda―the ancient Indian medicine system. The plant known for its attractive powderpuff-like flowers is believed to be a panacea for a wide range of ailments. Be it the paste of the roots or the juice of the leaves that display antimicrobial properties, the Mimosa pudica plant is prized for its numerous benefits.

Medicinal Uses

• Relieves Hemorrhoid Pain

Hemorrhoids can be really painful, but a herbal remedy backed by a strong history of traditional use can be useful to get rid of this uncomfortable issue. In China, the use of this plant for treating hemorrhoids dates back to as early as 16th century CE.

A paste prepared from the Mimosa pudica herb is found to be useful in alleviating the symptoms of hemorrhoids. The herb is said to act as a natural astringent, display antiseptic properties, and is said to impart a cooling effect. Its astringent properties help shrink the hemorrhoids, which in turn, contributes in reducing swelling. Simply applying the paste on the affected area can help stop bleeding as well as relieve the pain. This natural remedy is sure to drive away the irritation and the itchy sensation associated with hemorrhoids. Drinking milk containing powder of the leaves and root of the plant may also benefit in relieving piles.

• Arrests Hair Loss

Using this medicinal herb may slowdown or even stop the onset of baldness. Mimosa pudica is thought to encourage new hair cell growth, which may contribute in arresting hair loss. To promote hair growth, using shampoos containing extracts of the herb are often recommended.

• Relieves Arthritis

This plant is said to display anti-inflammatory activity, which may help treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis. So, those suffering from swollen joints may get relief by daily taking 1 - 3 ml tincture of Mimosa pudica diluted with water. Another option is to daily drink a cup of herbal tea made from the leaves of this plant.

• Relieves Tooth Pain

The root of the plant is said to display antimicrobial activity. Hence, gargling with a decoction of the root of Mimosa pudica diluted in water may help treat toothaches.

• Arrests Bleeding

Mimosa pudica exhibits styptic activity, which can also help stop bleeding in wounds and medical conditions like ulcerative colitis and menorrhagia.

• Treats Urinary Problems

Taking a decoction of the root of Mimosa pudica may help treat urinary infections, particularly bladder stones.

Mimosa pudica - Ayurvedic Herb

The salubrious claims of the herb's efficacy are documented in Ayurveda. No wonder, Ayurveda ascribes the use of Mimosa pudica for a wide range of medical conditions, some of which are given below:

• Dysentery
• Leprosy
• Jaundice
• Leucoderma
• Asthma
• Uterine problems
• Blood diseases
•Fatigue

The juice made from its leaves may help soothe a whooping cough. The juice of the leaves of Mimosa pudica and Sphaeranthus indicus (another herb), are recommended for viral hepatitis.

Uses in Different Cultures

• The Quechua people, members of ethnic South American tribes, fill the pillow with this herb to promote sleep during bed time. The herb is believed to provide a relaxing effect, which instills a sense of calmness during the sleep.

• In India, the herb is thought to have a relaxing effect on the nervous system, which is why, it is used in the treatment of epilepsy. Rumored to have aphrodisiac qualities, the seeds of the herb are said to enhance libido.

• The Guaymi people of Western Panamanian provinces reportedly use an infusion made from the ground stem of Mimosa pudica to treat arthritis.

A point to note here is that none of the benefits of Mimosa pudica have been approved by the USFDA. So, consult your health care provider, before using the herb as a complementary therapy.

How to Grow and Care for the Sensitive Plant in Containers

(Balcony Container Gardening)

Intro: Also called touch-me-not and many other common names, the sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is from South America and southern Central America. Mimosa pudica is a fascinating plant to keep in a balcony garden because it can move. Like the more famous Venus fly traps, the sensitive plant responds to touch.

Unlike the Venus flytrap, the sensitive plant closes its leaves to protect itself. It is not a carnivorous garden plant and does not move to trap insects to digest. If you touch, shake or blow on this container plant, the leaves will fold quickly and reopen in a few minutes. When the sensitive plant is disturbed, the plant forces water out of its cells, which results in cell collapse (which we see as closed leaves). When one leaf closes, it can stimulate neighboring leaves to also close.

Mimosa pudica can grow up to 5 feet high and 3 feet wide, although it will normally only grow 1 foot to 3 feet tall in the garden. The sensitive plant blooms with pink globular flowers about an inch across from mid- to late summer. Plant your sensitive plant in peat moss and perlite (ratio of 1:1 or 2:1). You can also use loam and sand, respectively, in your container garden.

Scientific Name: Mimosa pudica

Plant Type: Although it somewhat resembles a fern, the sensitive plant is a creeping annual herb.

Light: Partial shade to full sun for at least eight hours each day. The sensitive plant's leaves will close if it does not receive enough light (leaves will also close at night).

Water: When it comes to watering, provide consistently moist potting soil but never let it get soggy.

Zone: Keep the sensitive plant outside only in Zone 11. Can be kept as an outdoor plant in the tropics, but it’s best kept as a houseplant in indoor gardens in most areas. Never let the sensitive plant get colder than 65 degrees, or else its leaves and stems will turn yellow.

Fertilizer: Give the sensitive plant half-strength fertilizer weekly during the growing season.

Pests and Diseases: This hardy plant should not be bothered by garden pests or disease.

Propagation: The sensitive plant is most often grown from seeds. Pink flowers produce seeds. Sow the seeds in moist peat moss and perlite, and place clear plastic above the planting medium, as seeds need a lot of moisture to sprout. Expect the seeds to sprout in 14 to 21 days. You can also propagate Mimosa pudica by taking cuttings. Cut a branch that has one leaf node and plant it in the peat moss and perlite planting medium. Place a plastic bag or plastic wrap over the top of the sensitive plant and the plant container in order to keep the air around the plant humid.

Misc. Info: It is unknown exactly why Mimosa pudica has evolved to close its leaves. It could serve as protection from predators that may eat it, from harsh weather, destructive garden pests, etc.

The sensitive plant has been introduced to other areas and has become an invasive weed in Australia, and other places.

The species name pudica is Latin for "bashful" in reference to the sensitive plant's closing leaves after being touched.

Effective and Natural Medicines That Can Treat Kidney Disorders and Other Diseases

By Erineus , Nobert Soloria Bermosa (Thoughts To Live By…)

Are you suffering from a kidney problem but can’t undergo medication because the prices of drugs are so high? Diuretics are drugs that help the body get rid of excess water and salt. They assist the kidneys to produce and excrete more urine. Diuretics are also helpful for patient having heart and liver disorders.

Many fruits and some vegetables contain natural diuretics. But sometimes buying fruits and vegetables are also impractical for they are expensive as well.

Here are some natural and effective substitutes for commercial diuretics. Most of which are readily available anywhere else in the world but more abundant in tropical and sub-tropical regions. And more importantly, most of them can be obtain free except for the last one.

1) Makahiya or Tickle Me or Sensitive Plant (Mimosa Pudica)

Makahiya or Sensitive plant is a creeping annual or perennial herb often grown for its curiosity value: the compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched, re-opening within minutes. This species is sometimes considered a troublesome weed in tropical crops. This plant is most often grown as an indoor annual, but is also grown for groundcover. Medicinally speaking, every part of this plant are important most especially the roots. It is said to have a bitter and astringent taste, and has a history of use for the treatment of various ailments. Most commonly used is the root, but leaves, flowers, bark, and fruit can also be implemented. For treating kidney disorder, the plant is uprooted, the roots are wash and clean and put to boil in a pot of water. It is drink as a tea and as a substitute to water or liquid intake. Drinking boiled water of makahiya roots help eliminate kidney stones. Banaba Leaves (Lagerstroemia Speciosa)

Banaba is a medicine plant used in treating kidney disorder because it is a natural diuretic. And it has been found out that it is also good for treatment of diabetes mellitus and obesity. Preparation is very easy, just boil some leaves of the tree in a pot of water for half an hour and drink it as a tea or (when already cold) as a substitute for water or liquid intake. It tastes good unlike other herbal plants that taste bitter. If the plant is not available in your area, Banaba Tea is available also at supermarkets and pharmacies. Drinking Banaba Tea is also known to be effective in losing weight.

2) Corn Silk

Stigma from female corn flowers, known popularly as corn silk, are sold as herbal supplements. Corn silk is also an effective diuretic. Corn silks are boiled and drink as tea or as a substitute to water or liquid intake just like the banaba and makahiya.

3) Coconut Water

What could be more beneficial than drinking the purest water on Earth? Coconut water is considered the purest and the best drinking water in the world. It gives us lots of health benefits and helps cure numerous diseases. It has been proven that drinking coconut water helps cure kidney disorders. As a mater of fact, it is now being widely used in dialysis treatment of patients suffering from kidney troubles.

When buying coconut, always choose the newly harvested one.

Base on the result of my urinalysis during our company’s annual medical check-up in November of the previous year, it was diagnosed that there are traces of crystals in my urine signifying I have kidney problems. So it was confirmed by then that the occasional swelling on my face and other parts of the body, although they’re not painful, and accompanied by periodic lower back pain, were symptoms of my having kidney problem.

Some medicine had been prescribed to me by the agency physician. After a week of taking medicine I decided to stop taking medicinal pill because I really don’t like the taste of it and its side effects. A friend of mine (which is a doctor) advice me to drink coconut water on a daily basis and alternate it with drinking boiled water of banaba leaves, makahiya roots and (if available) corn silk.

And so I did, after six months of continuous and alternately drinking these wonderful and natural medicines, it effectively eliminated all traces of crystals in my latest urinalysis. The swelling had disappeared and the lower back pain is gone as well.

Makahiya:Sensitive plant, Mimosa for mumps and diarrhea

(riezen,diseases of life)

Have you heard about the legend of a shy girl and turn into a plant. This is the plant what i am talking about. The Makahiya or Mimosa in english. Some of the common names of this plant are, sensitive plant, shy plant, and humble plant. This plants folds it leaves whenever you touches them or any movement you have made to the plants this is called seismonastic movements.. This creeping herb is scattered all over our backyard and reading about this plant, i found out that this plant is good for Mumps and diarrhea.

For Mumps:
•Collect leaves from this plants and prepare them to be mince.
•Place the minced leaves of Mimosa to the swollen parts of the mumps. Let it for 30 mins. And do it 3 times a day.
For Diarrhea:
•Collect a cup of leaves of Mimosa that is pulverized or minced and boil it for 10 minutes of 2 glass of water.
•Doses:
-Adult :1 teacup and take 3 times the whole day or till the diarrhea is present.
-2-6 yr Old: 1/4 teacup 3 times a day
-7-12 yr Old: 1/2 teacup 3 times a day.

Amazing how this shy plants can contribute some of the medical benefits in natural way. Some of the medical benefits of this plants which i found out from wikipedia are:

Its extract immobilizes the filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis in less than one hour. In contemporary medicine, Mimosa pudica is being investigated for its potential to yield novel chemotherapeutic compounds. It contains an alkaloid called mimosine, which has been found to have potent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects.

Aqueous extracts of the roots of the plant have shown significant neutralizing effects in the lethality of the venom of the monocled cobra (Naja Kaouthia). It appears to inhibit the myotoxicity and enzyme activity of cobra venom.

Care of the Sensitive Plant Mimosa Pudica

By Michelle Wishhart (Demand Media)

Also known as shameplant, sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is a tropical member of the Mimosa genus. The stout, shrubby plant generally grows up to 18 inches tall, producing delicate, fern-like leaves and fluffy yellow or purple flowers. Sensitive plant is a popular houseplant due to its remarkable leaves, which curl into themselves when touched. The plant is considered invasive in tropical climates.

Temperature

Sensitive plant will grow indoors next to a sunny window with some direct sunlight. The plant will also grow under bright grow lights and may be brought outside during the summer. It prefers an average room temperature between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Though it will grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, it has a tendency to spread aggressively and may become weedy. The plant may be grown outdoors as an annual in USDA zones 2 to 8. Soil

Sensitive plant should be planted in well-draining loamy soil enhanced with peat moss to improve drainage. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not water logged. The plant is susceptible to root rot in compacted or overly wet soils. Growth can be enhanced with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer diluted to about half strength with water, applied to the soil every two weeks during the growing season. Always water first before fertilizing to avoid burning the roots.

Problems

Though not especially prone to disease, sensitive plant may become infested by common house plant pests such as red spider mites, mealy bugs and thrips. Spraying the plant with a direct stream of water can help remove pests. Insecticidal soap sprays should not be used, as they can blacken the leaves, according to Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Care should be taken when handling the plant, as the stems have sharp spines. The plant also contains toxic alkaloids that can harm humans and animals if ingested. Propagation

Sensitive plant may be propagated by seed indoors any time of the year. Seeds are quite tough, and should be nicked with a knife to help improve germination success. Seeds may also be placed in hot water and soaked overnight. Place seeds in a moist soil medium, cover with a light sprinkle of soil and place in a warm, bright location. Seeds generally take about a week to germinate, according to Guide to Houseplants.

Sensitive plants FART to warn off predators when they face danger

Source:http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/sensitive-plants-fart-warn-predators-7164038
By Anthony Bond

The Mimosa pudica is now being dubbed the 'fart plant' as its roots are dotted with tiny sacs which release sulphur when they sense a threat

Some sensitive plants fart when they face danger, a new study has revealed.

The Mimosa pudica plant lets off a stink bomb to ward off predators, researchers found.

The flowering plant is already commonly known as the 'shy plant' because its leaves curl up when touched.

But the bloom is now being dubbed the 'fart plant' as its roots are dotted with tiny sacs that release a stench of sulphur when they sense the touch of a potential threat.

Many plants are famed for their pungent whiffs but until now it has been assumed the cause was tissue damage such as chopping a bay leaf or onion.

But Professor Rabi Musah, of New York's University at Albany, found that at least seven Mimosa species boast the previously unknown defence mechanism.

Experts say that the phenomenon - outlined in journal Plant Physiology - could turn out to be widespread.

Prof Musah's team made the discovery while growing seedlings of Mimosa pudica.

The stench - a cocktail of sulphur compounds - comes from hair-like sacs less than half a millimetre long that collapse after the odour is released.

Prof Musah told New Scientist magazine: "Even a seedling just a few centimetres high can fill a room with a disgusting smell.

"Oh my goodness! It smells like someone has broken wind."

In their experiments, researchers poked the plants in a variety of ways to see what would happen.

Astonishingly, the roots seem to distinguish between different kinds of touch.

A single touch with a finger always triggers a stink bomb, as does dislodging soil around the roots.

But the roots never respond to a glass or metal object like tweezers.

"The odour response is selective", Prof Musah concluded. "When soil around the roots is dislodged or when seedling roots are touched, an odor is detected.

"Whereas touching the roots with soil or human skin resulted in odor detection, agitating the roots with other materials such as glass did not induce a similar response."

It is not known how the plant senses such distinctions, which presumably enable it to distinguish between predators and harmless objects.

Looking at the roots under high-powered microscopes, researchers found that after releasing its smelly gases, the sacs deflate, suggesting they act as stench storage units.

The fart itself is made of "highly reactive and elusive organosulfur intermediates," researchers concluded.

Prof Musah now plans to study the Acacia genus, which is closely related to the Mimosa.

Weed Solutions for the Energy-Hungry Africa?

By Dominykas Broga

When it comes to the thorny issues of finding new energy sources for an energy-hungry continent, local innovations unearth surprising solutions. Nigerian-born researcher from the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Justus A. Nwaoga, has discovered new features of the organic medicinal African weed, Mimosa Pudica, and brought it into a project development that aims to turn a common weed into renewable solar energy for the continent.

Earlier this year, the researcher has secured a patent for the development of solar cells from weed, commonly known as Mimosa Pudica, which translated into English language means “touch me not” or “sensitive plant” referring to its sensitivity to touch and solar light.

Chosen from more than 900 applications from 45 different countries, Nwaoga’s research placed him among the top ten innovators in Africa at the second edition of the “Innovation Prize for Africa” held in South Africa in May, 2013 for developing practical solutions to some of the continent’s most intractable problems.

His research has discovered that Africa’s weed, Mimosa Pudica, found throughout tropics, apart from its many traditional medical uses, embeds solar properties suitable for the production of solar cell and, thus, electricity.

Fascinated by the properties of the plant, Nwaoga embarked on a journey to discover why the leaves of the plant close when touched during daylight only to open several minutes later. Investigating the effect of the artificial light on the leaves at night, the researcher discovered that they unfold only to natural solar energy which led to his conclusions that the plant could provide a new way of tapping into the sun’s energy and provide solar cell electricity.

While observing these properties of the plant, he became determined to isolate the compound responsible for the responses of the leaves to the solar light and has discovered “the black silicon,” which, according to the researcher, is much more sensitive than the silicon currently used in solar panels.

After various unsuccessful attempts to transform the Mimosa Pudica extract into energy potential, Nwaoga and his team finally managed to generate a steady direct current to light a 4.5-volt lamp after correctly understanding the chemical makeup of the extract, which was previously too strong therein corroding the zinc or cooper plates.

The breakthrough in their research has allowed them to construct a Mimosa Solar Panel with the plant extract in such a way that the electrical potential of the cells can be restored on the exposure to direct sunlight after they have been discharged. Nwaoga explained that solar cells constructed with the weed extracts and exposed to sunlight were found to accumulate solar energy which was transformed into electrical energy and such innovation could be used for various domestic, military and industrial appliances among which a solar rechargeable lantern.

According to the researcher, an advantage that solar panel made from the Mimosa extract has over the traditional silicon solar panels is its sensitivity and ability to withstand greater intensities of light. In an African continent, traditional solar panels often break or fail due to very high sun intensities. Since solar panels made from “black silicon” can withstand greater intensities of light, they provide a more suitable alternative for African electrical power shortages.

Furthermore, whether solar electricity would be cheaper if generated from the weed than from traditional silicon panels, the researcher is undeniably positive. About 0.5 ml of one per cent concentration of mimosa extract can give one 0.25 volts or more when properly set. Since the product is locally grown and abundant, its cost would be much cheaper than for the imported silicon panels.

It may be noted that the researcher has already secured earlier this year a patent for the sole use and advantage of inventing Mimosa Pudica solar cells and the Mimosa Pudica extract has been accepted as a new material for solar energy development.

Will it become a popular solution to the African power shortages? It is still too early to say. However, the innovation undoubtedly testifies of the ability for Africans to find innovative solutions to the energy-hungry Africa.

Gardening from the Cliff: Learn about the antics of Mimosa pudica, a sensitive plant

By Jack Williams

Leaf action used as teaching tool

Virtually all plants in our gardens are grown for their pleasant foliage and flowers or because they are the sources of eatable fruits or vegetables.

In contrast, a very small number of species are acquired for their curiosity value. A leader in this category is Mimosa pudica, a plant with a myriad of nicknames including Sensitive Plant and Touch-me-not. The former is the most common.

Sensitive Plant’s claim to fame is that its small compound leaves quickly fold inward and droop when touched or shaken and then re-open minutes later. It also exhibits a more common plant characteristic called “sleep movement” wherein its leaves again fold inward at night in response to changes in light conditions.

Mimosa pudica is a native of South and Central America but it has been introduced in many other places, including several states in the United States. The plant is most often grown as an indoor annual but it can be used as a ground cover. In some places it has become an invasive weed.

The Internet is loaded with items concerning Sensitive Plant. The Internet’s YouTube also has several short videos where you can watch the plant do its thing.

I was first exposed to Mimosa pudica in a collage botany class many moons ago. My 2005 “The Biology of Horticulture” text refers to it in several places in discussing “sleep movement” and plant reactions to various frequencies of light. It gets pretty technical. Thus, Mimosa pudica is famous in the high-tech botanical world but is little known to most of us dirt gardeners.

I was reunited with Sensitive Plant a few weeks ago when a retired New York science teacher contacted me after seeing one of my articles on the Internet. Mark Chipkin was given some Mimosa seeds when a young boy by his sixth-grade teacher. He grew these seeds and he and his brother never forgot the experience of watching the plant’s movements when they tickled them.

This experience deeply affected Chipkin’s life. He became an elementary/middle school science teacher for 35 years and used what he dubbed the TickleMe Plant as a motivational tool in teaching nature and gardening. He used it to set up different classroom experiments where it seemed to captivate his students far more than other vegetation.

Chipkin and his brother now manage their small TickleMe Plant business www.ticklemeplant.com, 845-350-4800 that sells TickleMe seeds and educational kits for teachers. All of the photos that accompany this article were provide by Chipkin. Those containing children seem to verify his contention that young people are fascinated with the plant’s antics.

I have acquired some TickleMe seeds and am on my way to having some pet Mimosa pudicas. You might care to join in the fun. Mark would love to hear from you, particularly if you are a teacher who would like to follow his example in using Mimosa pudica as a motivational teaching tool.

Makahiya plants have memories and can learn, biologists find

By MIKAEL ANGELO FRANCISCO / TJD (GMA News)

A common sight in Philippine grasslands, the makahiya plant (Mimosa pudica) is famous for its tendency to curl up its leaves at the slightest touch, as if it were extremely embarrassed about physical contact, hence its name: "makahiya" is derived from the Filipino word for "shame" or "shyness" ("hiya").

Lightly touching the leaves causes the plant to withdraw them almost instantly, and the phenomenon is admittedly both remarkable and amusing to anyone who's tried it:

However, it seems as if the makahiya (also known as the “sensitive plant” or the “touch-me-not” in other parts of the world) doesn't just discourage touching , it probably also remembers all the times humans and animals poked and prodded at it.

A 'touchy' subject

A team of biologists from Australia and Italy decided to closely examine the makahiya in order to determine what it perceives as a “harmful” touch. The team’s findings were published in the January 2014 issue of the journal Oecologia.

Led by Dr Monica Gagliano from the University of Western Australia, the researchers ran an experiment, testing for short-term or long-term memory in the tiny plant by treating it like an animal.

“The nervous system of animals serves the acquisition, memorization and recollection of information,” wrote the scientists. “Like animals, plants also acquire a huge amount of information from their environment, yet their capacity to memorize and organize learned behavioral responses has not been demonstrated.”

Experience, the best teacher

According to the biologists, the makahiya’s well-documented leaf-folding behavior – a defensive response to physical stimuli – demonstrates “clear habituation,” and suggests that the plant may have the capacity to learn.

Using a special device designed to drop water on the makahiya, the researchers trained the plant’s short-term and long-term memories while switching between high-light and low-light environments.

Dr Gagliano and her colleagues found that the plants they tested actually stopped closing their leaves after repeated water-dropping, indicating that the makahiya plants realized that the droplets presented no real danger to them.

Furthermore, the plants were able to learn rather quickly; according to the biologists, it only took them seconds to adopt this behavior.

An excellent pupil

Much like how animals learn faster in a harsher environment, the makahiya also exhibited a better memory under less favorable conditions.

Surprisingly, the makahiya plants actually remembered that the water droplets presented no threat to them. They demonstrated the same passive behavior even after weeks had passed, despite having been moved to a different environment.

“Astonishingly, Mimosa can display the learned response even when left undisturbed in a more favorable environment for a month,” the biologists observed. “This relatively long-lasting learned behavioral change as a result of previous experience matches the persistence of habituation effects observed in many animals.”

The researchers have an explanation for this, though. “Plants may lack brains and neural tissues but they do possess a sophisticated calcium-based signally network in their cells similar to animals’ memory processes.”

More respect for plants

However, the biologists also admitted that they have yet to determine the specific biological basis of the plants’ learning capabilities. On the bright side, their findings shed new light on the way we understand the similarities and differences between plants and animals. If anything, this should also serve as an effective reminder to stop disturbing plants, as the ability to learn appears to be a trait that isn't exclusive to animals alone.

The makahiya plants are perhaps best left to their own devices, lest they stage an uprising (or perhaps an “uprooting”) and decide to go for their “bullies” first. After all, we've already seen what innocent-looking plants can do to a horde of zombies.



10 Top Medicinal Uses & Benefits Of Mimosa Pudica | Touch Me Not Plant | Sensitive Plant

By Ramya Venkateshwaran (Wild Turmeric)

Mimosa pudica also commonly called as touch me not plant | sensitive plant in English is called Thotta Chinnugi in Tamil and Lajalu in Hindi. The plant is covered in thorns with beautiful pink flowers and small green leaves that closes or droops when touched. It is a plant that is found commonly in many countries and here in our farm it grows in abundance. It is considered a weed and can be commonly found in wastelands. I used to be fascinated with touch me not plant when I was younger and more so now after knowing about it's wonderful uses. When I was a kid, I used to love touching the leaves and watch it close and I used to keep on looking for it open again. I have never thought much about the medicinal values of the plant when I was growing up. Few years back, one of our farm workers was collecting the plant from the farm and when I inquired about it she replied that she was collecting it for treating diarrhea. It was the first time I heard about the medicinal use of touch me not plant. The more I came to know about it's wonderful benefits and uses, my fascination and respect for this plant has only grown over the years. It has been used for piles, dysentery, as a poultice and for treating wounds. Since it is a very popular plant extensive studies have been done on the plant scientifically proving many of the remedies it is used in. The last time we had rains, many of the mimosa pudica plant in the farm had beautiful pink flowers and I happily pictured them. I have tried my best to compile all the medicinal uses of mimosa pudica that has been scientifically proven below.....

10 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS & MEDICINAL USES OF MIMOSA PUDICA | TOUCH ME NOT PLANT | SENSITIVE PLANT:

1. Mimosa Pudica Wound Healing Activity:

Traditionally the leaf extract made by grinding the leaves with little water and extracting the juice is used for treating wounds. This remedy has been proven scientifically now! For the study, both the methanolic and water extract was used in 3 different concentrations (0.5 %, 1 % and 2 %) in a basic ointment base. The ointment containing 2 % of both methanolic and water extract showed significant wound healing activity.

2. Mimosa Pudica Anti Venom Activity:

An interesting study was done on the anti venomous activity of mimosa pudica and that too cobra venom! The study which was done on the water extract of the mimosa pudica dried root (made by boiling the dried root in water) proved that it is very good at inhibiting the activity of the snake venom. But this remedy has to done under the observation of an experienced healer or herbalist.

3. Mimosa Pudica For Piles:

Mimosa Pudica is very good for treating bleeding piles and has been used as a remedy for it for many many years. For the remedy, crush the leaves into a fine paste and apply as a poultice, it will greatly ease the burning and bleeding. This is due to it's amazing wound healing properties.

4. Mimosa Pudica For Ulcers:

Another very important study on mimosa pudica was its effect on ulcers. The study done on rats with artificially induced ulcers proved that 100 mg of ethanolic extract very effectively reduced the ulcers.

5. Mimosa Pudica For Diarrhea:

Mimosa pudica is very good in treating diarrhea. A study done on albino rats by inducing them to diarrhea using castor oil and treating them with ethanolic extract proved to be very effective in controlling the diarrhea.

6. Mimosa Pudica Anti inflammatory Properties:

Another study proved its anti inflammatory properties. The study done on rats with artificially induced paw odema proved its anti inflammatory properties. The results were very effective and significant. In village sides, we do boil the leaves of mimosa pudica and use the warm liquid as a compress, happy to know that it has been proven scientifically.

7. Mimosa Pudica Anti Diabetic Activity:

Mimosa pudica's anti diabetic activity has been proven through research. The research was done using the ethanolic extract but usually the leaf powder or the root powder is taken daily for bringing down the blood sugar levels.

8. Liver Protecting Activity of Mimosa Pudica:

Another important medicinal use it's protection of liver against toxins . When rats were given toxic ethanol along with mimosa pudica extract, it proved to be very effective in protecting the liver from toxicity.

9. Anti microbial, Anti Fungal & Anti Viral Properties Of Mimosa Pudica:

Mimosa pudica has been proven for its anti microbial, anti fungal and anti viral properties. The research was done using different concentrations of the mimosa pudica ethanol extract on various fungus and bacteria and it proved to be very effective in controlling them.

10. Anti fertility Activity of Mimosa Pudica:

Mimosa pudica has proven to have anti fertility properties. so if you are trying for pregnancy, never consume mimosa pudica in any form...


The Health Benefits of Mimosa Pudica for Hemorrhoids

Dr. Edward Group (DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM)

Mimosa Pudica is a small evergreen that grows in Brazil, Asia, Africa, and India. The plant has a number of nicknames, including shameful plant, touch-me-not, and sensitive plant. Mimosa Pudica earned these names because of an interesting quality- its leaves close when they’re touched.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Mimosa pudica is known as lajjalu and its inclusion within the system is not because of its dancing leaves, but the therapeutic benefits the compounds within the plant offers. Many hemorrhoid sufferers have experienced relief as a result of this special plant’s pharmacological profile and antioxidant activity. [1] [2] Mimosa Pudica and Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids describe an uncomfortable problem in which the blood vessels in the anal area swell and become very sore. Hemorrhoids can originate from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, being overweight, and other factors. Swelling, discomfort, and even bleeding are common indications of hemorrhoids and they’re all miserable for the person experiencing them. In fact, in Ayurvedic medicine, hemorrhoids are known as “arsha shoola” which translates to “pain from pricking like needles.” Ouch!

For those experiencing the misery and agony of hemorrhoids, Mimosa pudica offers several benefits. If you know anything about the history of shaving, you may have heard of a styptic pencil, which is a small, crayon-like device that’s able to stop the bleeding that results from a shaving cut. Mimosa pudica has similar styptic qualities to stop bleeding. This can be invaluable for bleeding hemorrhoids. A topical paste made from Mimosa pudica leaves has been known as a hemorrhoid therapy since at least the 16th century. [1] [3] Additionally, mimosa pudica’s phenol content and antioxidant action is believed to help wounds, like bleeding hemorrhoids, heal faster. [4] Supplementing with Mimosa Pudica

If the uncomfortable presence of swollen, burning hemorrhoids is ruining your day, natural herbal therapies like Mimosa pudica may be an avenue for relief. It’s backed by at least 500 years of traditional use and contains no synthetic compounds or harmful chemicals. That’s more than can be said for many of the conventional medications available at your local drugstore.

Although herbal remedies may reduce discomfort, it’s also important to understand that addressing your hemorrhoids at the source needs to be part of the equation. If you’re overweight or strain during bowel movements, these are not factors that Mimosa pudica will remedy, you need to take action and address those separately.


Herbal combo may provide novel ‘cure’ for breast cancer

By Chukwuma Muanya

Bioactive flavonoids isolated successfully from Touch Me Not (Mimosa pudica), Aloe vera and stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri) may provide the much sought after cure for breast cancer. India researchers from Kannur University, Kerala, India, in a study published in the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences found that flavonoids isolated from Aloe vera, Mimosa pudica and Phyllanthus niruri showed cytotoxicity activity against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and the inhibitory concentration at 50 per cent growth (IC50) was found to be, Mimosa pudica, Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri.

The study is titled “A comparative evaluation of anticancer activities of flavonoids isolated from Mimosa pudica, Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay.” The researchers concluded: “The results indicated the cytotoxicity activity of all the three flavonoids isolated.

Therefore, they can be effectively employed in anticancer treatment. Cytotoxic study suggested that flavonoid from Mimosa pudica has the maximum cytotoxic effect than flavonoid from Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri against MCF-7, Human breast cancer cell line (Mimosa pudica >Aloe vera >Phyllanthus niruri).

So the findings of this study could be considered as valuable information for the use of medicinal natural products in cancer treatment. Molecular level studies and investigations to characterize and elucidate the structure of the active principle behind the activity are under progress.”

Commonly called stonebreaker, Phyllanthus niruri also known as ‘Chanca piedra’ belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Phyllanthus niruri is similar to Phyllanthus amarus, which also belongs to the same family. It is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas that grows 40 to 70 centimetre tall.

In Nigeria, it is called enyikwonwa and ngwu in the Ibo, oyomokeso amanke edem in Efik, geeron-tsuntsaayee (bird’s millet) in Hausa, ehin olobe and yin-olobe in Yoruba. Whole plants have been used in traditional medicine for treatment of jaundice, asthma, hepatitis and malaria. It has a potent free radical scavenging activity and could scavenge superoxides, hydroxyl radicals and can inhibit lipid peroxides.

Mimosa pudica is a small or middle sizes tree about 1.5 metre in height with leaves are very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets folding when touched. It belongs to Fabaceae family. It is reported to contain alkaloid, glycoside, flavonoids and tannins.

All parts of the plant are considered to possess medicinal properties. The plant has anti-microbial, anti-convulsant, hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-venom, diuretic, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, anti-fertility and anti-histamic activities. It is a creeping annual or perennial herb often grown for its curiosity values; as the compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched and reopens within minutes later.

The species is a native to South America and Central America, but is now a pan tropical weed. The other names for the plant are: humble plant, shame plant, touch me not. This plant has history for use for the treatment of various ailments and the most commonly used plant part is the root, but leaves, flowers, fruit and bark can also be utilized and also about the antimicrobial activity of the plan. Mimosa pudica weed, known in Nsukka as Kpakorukwu and in Udi as Kpakochuku was recently discovered to have solar properties suitable for the production of solar cells.

This was disclosed by Pharm Nwaoga, Justus Amandianaze, Chief Technologist in the department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Aloe barbadensis miller (Aloe vera), a member of the Liliaceae family, is a perennial succulent with turgid lace-shaped green leaves, and is referred to as the silent healer.

Aloe vera extracts have been reported to have many biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant and immuno-protective properties. Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties.

The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.” 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.”

Today, the Aloe vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology. Indeed cancer is the major public health problem, causing approximately seven million deaths every year worldwide.

According to the researchers, more than 80 per cent of cancer deaths are due to carcinomas such as lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreas cancers, which are currently the most lethal cancers. Lung cancer and colorectal cancers are responsible for the first and third most cancer related deaths in men and women.

Breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men rank second. Several studies have shown that cancer is largely environmentally determined, being diet a major variable. Dietary patterns, foods, nutrients and other dietary constituents are closely associated with the risk for several types of cancer, and in this regard, it has been estimated that 35 per cent of cancer deaths may be related to dietary factors. Recently, dietary polyphenols have received much attention for their anticancer properties.

Many studies in different cell lines, animal models and human epidemiological trials suggest a protective role of dietary polyphenols against different types of cancers. Flavonoids are a group of more than 4,000 polyphenolic compounds that occur naturally in foods of plant origin and are categorized, according to chemical structure, into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones.

The flavonoids have aroused considerable interest recently because of their potential beneficial effects on human health. They have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic, antiplatelet, anti- inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, antithrombotic, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities.

Why Do Touch-Me-Not (Mimosa Pudica) Leaves Close When Touched?

( Ashish, Science ABC)

When it comes to playing with plants, there’s no greater pleasure than touching the leaves of the touch-me-not plant and watching them recoil, shrink, and “go to sleep”. I used to do it a lot as a kid, and still do, whenever a chance presents itself.

There were a lot of those ‘kid stories’ that surrounded this fascinating behavior of the plant’s leaves (some of which I believed, by the way). As we grew older, the stories transformed a bit to accommodate the real biological reason behind the great touch-me-not mystery.

So, without further adieu, let’s look at why touch-me-not leaves “go to sleep” when you touch, shake or blow air at them.

Mimosa Pudica (Touch Me Not plant)

There are certain plant species that undergo structural changes in a very short span of time; this is known as ‘rapid plant movement‘. This happens when the receptors present in the plant’s body are activated by an alteration or modification of the plant’s shape. Mimosa pudica, better known as the ‘touch-me-not plant’, is one of the few plants that demonstrate this rapid plant movement. Although native to South and Central America, touch-me-nots are now found all over the world due to their amazing response to human touch.

Why do mimosa pudica leaves close when touched?

Water within the cells and other cell contents apply a certain amount of force against the cell walls of the plant; this is called turgor pressure.

It is due to turgor pressure that the leaves of this plant stay upright unless disturbed externally. Now, when you touch or shake the leaves (known as seismonastic movements), the swollen base of the leaf stalk (called the ‘pulvinus’), which contains certain contractile proteins, is activated.

The mechanism that makes mimosa pudica leaves to close

When disturbed externally, certain regions of the plant trigger a release of various chemicals, including potassium ions, within the body of the plant. These chemicals make water and electrolytes flow/diffuse out of the cell, resulting in a loss of cell pressure. This causes the cell to collapse, which squeezes the leaves shut. Stimuli, in the form of touch, is sometimes transmitted to neighboring leaves as well, causing something like this to happen:

Does it have any purpose?

The process of folding and recoiling of leaves costs the mimosa pudica plant a lot of energy. Furthermore, this response is also said to interfere with photosynthesis (the process through which leaves prepare food for the plant in the presence of water, carbon dioxide and sunlight) (source). Therefore, it comes as no surprise that botanists are confounded as to why these plants evolved this trait, given that it depletes their energy stores and adversely impacts them.

There is no conclusive proof as to why touch-me-not plants evolved this trait, but researchers believe that it may act as a defense mechanism of sorts for them. Consider this; if you were a tiny little herbivorous insect looking for a nice supper from a plant, would you take the risk and go near a plant whose leaves twist, turn, fold and droop when you touch it, or would you rather go to a passive, peaceful meal?

As enthralling as it may seem at first, touch-me-not leaves have to work extra hard to make their food after you touch, shake or otherwise disturb them in any way. Therefore, as the sensible and noble human being that you are, try not to have fun at its ‘energy expense’ the next time you stumble upon a touch-me-not plant.

It might be a fascinating process to watch, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should!

Care of the Sensitive Plant Mimosa Pudica

By Michelle Wishhart (Demand Media)

Also known as shameplant, sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is a tropical member of the Mimosa genus. The stout, shrubby plant generally grows up to 18 inches tall, producing delicate, fern-like leaves and fluffy yellow or purple flowers. Sensitive plant is a popular houseplant due to its remarkable leaves, which curl into themselves when touched. The plant is considered invasive in tropical climates.

Temperature

Sensitive plant will grow indoors next to a sunny window with some direct sunlight. The plant will also grow under bright grow lights and may be brought outside during the summer. It prefers an average room temperature between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Though it will grow outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, it has a tendency to spread aggressively and may become weedy. The plant may be grown outdoors as an annual in USDA zones 2 to 8. Soil

Sensitive plant should be planted in well-draining loamy soil enhanced with peat moss to improve drainage. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not water logged. The plant is susceptible to root rot in compacted or overly wet soils. Growth can be enhanced with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer diluted to about half strength with water, applied to the soil every two weeks during the growing season. Always water first before fertilizing to avoid burning the roots.

Problems

Though not especially prone to disease, sensitive plant may become infested by common house plant pests such as red spider mites, mealy bugs and thrips. Spraying the plant with a direct stream of water can help remove pests. Insecticidal soap sprays should not be used, as they can blacken the leaves, according to Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Care should be taken when handling the plant, as the stems have sharp spines. The plant also contains toxic alkaloids that can harm humans and animals if ingested. Propagation

Sensitive plant may be propagated by seed indoors any time of the year. Seeds are quite tough, and should be nicked with a knife to help improve germination success. Seeds may also be placed in hot water and soaked overnight. Place seeds in a moist soil medium, cover with a light sprinkle of soil and place in a warm, bright location. Seeds generally take about a week to germinate, according to Guide to Houseplants.

Sensitive plants FART to warn off predators when they face danger

Source:http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/sensitive-plants-fart-warn-predators-7164038
By Anthony Bond

The Mimosa pudica is now being dubbed the 'fart plant' as its roots are dotted with tiny sacs which release sulphur when they sense a threat

Some sensitive plants fart when they face danger, a new study has revealed.

The Mimosa pudica plant lets off a stink bomb to ward off predators, researchers found.

The flowering plant is already commonly known as the 'shy plant' because its leaves curl up when touched.

But the bloom is now being dubbed the 'fart plant' as its roots are dotted with tiny sacs that release a stench of sulphur when they sense the touch of a potential threat.

Many plants are famed for their pungent whiffs but until now it has been assumed the cause was tissue damage such as chopping a bay leaf or onion.

But Professor Rabi Musah, of New York's University at Albany, found that at least seven Mimosa species boast the previously unknown defence mechanism.

Experts say that the phenomenon - outlined in journal Plant Physiology - could turn out to be widespread.

Prof Musah's team made the discovery while growing seedlings of Mimosa pudica.

The stench - a cocktail of sulphur compounds - comes from hair-like sacs less than half a millimetre long that collapse after the odour is released.

Prof Musah told New Scientist magazine: "Even a seedling just a few centimetres high can fill a room with a disgusting smell.

"Oh my goodness! It smells like someone has broken wind."

In their experiments, researchers poked the plants in a variety of ways to see what would happen.

Astonishingly, the roots seem to distinguish between different kinds of touch.

A single touch with a finger always triggers a stink bomb, as does dislodging soil around the roots.

But the roots never respond to a glass or metal object like tweezers.

"The odour response is selective", Prof Musah concluded. "When soil around the roots is dislodged or when seedling roots are touched, an odor is detected.

"Whereas touching the roots with soil or human skin resulted in odor detection, agitating the roots with other materials such as glass did not induce a similar response."

It is not known how the plant senses such distinctions, which presumably enable it to distinguish between predators and harmless objects.

Looking at the roots under high-powered microscopes, researchers found that after releasing its smelly gases, the sacs deflate, suggesting they act as stench storage units.

The fart itself is made of "highly reactive and elusive organosulfur intermediates," researchers concluded.

Prof Musah now plans to study the Acacia genus, which is closely related to the Mimosa.

Weed Solutions for the Energy-Hungry Africa?

By Dominykas Broga

When it comes to the thorny issues of finding new energy sources for an energy-hungry continent, local innovations unearth surprising solutions. Nigerian-born researcher from the Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Justus A. Nwaoga, has discovered new features of the organic medicinal African weed, Mimosa Pudica, and brought it into a project development that aims to turn a common weed into renewable solar energy for the continent.

Earlier this year, the researcher has secured a patent for the development of solar cells from weed, commonly known as Mimosa Pudica, which translated into English language means “touch me not” or “sensitive plant” referring to its sensitivity to touch and solar light.

Chosen from more than 900 applications from 45 different countries, Nwaoga’s research placed him among the top ten innovators in Africa at the second edition of the “Innovation Prize for Africa” held in South Africa in May, 2013 for developing practical solutions to some of the continent’s most intractable problems.

His research has discovered that Africa’s weed, Mimosa Pudica, found throughout tropics, apart from its many traditional medical uses, embeds solar properties suitable for the production of solar cell and, thus, electricity.

Fascinated by the properties of the plant, Nwaoga embarked on a journey to discover why the leaves of the plant close when touched during daylight only to open several minutes later. Investigating the effect of the artificial light on the leaves at night, the researcher discovered that they unfold only to natural solar energy which led to his conclusions that the plant could provide a new way of tapping into the sun’s energy and provide solar cell electricity.

While observing these properties of the plant, he became determined to isolate the compound responsible for the responses of the leaves to the solar light and has discovered “the black silicon,” which, according to the researcher, is much more sensitive than the silicon currently used in solar panels.

After various unsuccessful attempts to transform the Mimosa Pudica extract into energy potential, Nwaoga and his team finally managed to generate a steady direct current to light a 4.5-volt lamp after correctly understanding the chemical makeup of the extract, which was previously too strong therein corroding the zinc or cooper plates.

The breakthrough in their research has allowed them to construct a Mimosa Solar Panel with the plant extract in such a way that the electrical potential of the cells can be restored on the exposure to direct sunlight after they have been discharged. Nwaoga explained that solar cells constructed with the weed extracts and exposed to sunlight were found to accumulate solar energy which was transformed into electrical energy and such innovation could be used for various domestic, military and industrial appliances among which a solar rechargeable lantern.

According to the researcher, an advantage that solar panel made from the Mimosa extract has over the traditional silicon solar panels is its sensitivity and ability to withstand greater intensities of light. In an African continent, traditional solar panels often break or fail due to very high sun intensities. Since solar panels made from “black silicon” can withstand greater intensities of light, they provide a more suitable alternative for African electrical power shortages.

Furthermore, whether solar electricity would be cheaper if generated from the weed than from traditional silicon panels, the researcher is undeniably positive. About 0.5 ml of one per cent concentration of mimosa extract can give one 0.25 volts or more when properly set. Since the product is locally grown and abundant, its cost would be much cheaper than for the imported silicon panels.

It may be noted that the researcher has already secured earlier this year a patent for the sole use and advantage of inventing Mimosa Pudica solar cells and the Mimosa Pudica extract has been accepted as a new material for solar energy development.

Will it become a popular solution to the African power shortages? It is still too early to say. However, the innovation undoubtedly testifies of the ability for Africans to find innovative solutions to the energy-hungry Africa.

The Health Benefits of Mimosa Pudica for Hemorrhoids

By Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Mimosa Pudica is a small evergreen that grows in Brazil, Asia, Africa, and India. The plant has a number of nicknames, including shameful plant, touch-me-not, and sensitive plant. Mimosa Pudica earned these names because of an interesting quality- its leaves close when they’re touched.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Mimosa pudica is known as lajjalu and its inclusion within the system is not because of its dancing leaves, but the therapeutic benefits the compounds within the plant offers. Many hemorrhoid sufferers have experienced relief as a result of this special plant’s pharmacological profile and antioxidant activity. [1] [2]

Mimosa Pudica and Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids describe an uncomfortable problem in which the blood vessels in the anal area swell and become very sore. Hemorrhoids can originate from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, being overweight, and other factors. Swelling, discomfort, and even bleeding are common indications of hemorrhoids and they’re all miserable for the person experiencing them. In fact, in Ayurvedic medicine, hemorrhoids are known as “arsha shoola” which translates to “pain from pricking like needles.” Ouch!

For those experiencing the misery and agony of hemorrhoids, Mimosa pudica offers several benefits. If you know anything about the history of shaving, you may have heard of a styptic pencil, which is a small, crayon-like device that’s able to stop the bleeding that results from a shaving cut. Mimosa pudica has similar styptic qualities to stop bleeding. This can be invaluable for bleeding hemorrhoids. A topical paste made from Mimosa pudica leaves has been known as a hemorrhoid therapy since at least the 16th century. [1] [3] Additionally, mimosa pudica’s phenol content and antioxidant action is believed to help wounds, like bleeding hemorrhoids, heal faster. [4]

Supplementing with Mimosa Pudica

If the uncomfortable presence of swollen, burning hemorrhoids is ruining your day, natural herbal therapies like Mimosa pudica may be an avenue for relief. It’s backed by at least 500 years of traditional use and contains no synthetic compounds or harmful chemicals. That’s more than can be said for many of the conventional medications available at your local drugstore.

Although herbal remedies may reduce discomfort, it’s also important to understand that addressing your hemorrhoids at the source needs to be part of the equation. If you’re overweight or strain during bowel movements, these are not factors that Mimosa pudica will remedy, you need to take action and address those separately.

Gardening from the Cliff: Learn about the antics of Mimosa pudica, a sensitive plant

By Jack Williams

Leaf action used as teaching tool

Virtually all plants in our gardens are grown for their pleasant foliage and flowers or because they are the sources of eatable fruits or vegetables.

In contrast, a very small number of species are acquired for their curiosity value. A leader in this category is Mimosa pudica, a plant with a myriad of nicknames including Sensitive Plant and Touch-me-not. The former is the most common.

Sensitive Plant’s claim to fame is that its small compound leaves quickly fold inward and droop when touched or shaken and then re-open minutes later. It also exhibits a more common plant characteristic called “sleep movement” wherein its leaves again fold inward at night in response to changes in light conditions.

Mimosa pudica is a native of South and Central America but it has been introduced in many other places, including several states in the United States. The plant is most often grown as an indoor annual but it can be used as a ground cover. In some places it has become an invasive weed.

The Internet is loaded with items concerning Sensitive Plant. The Internet’s YouTube also has several short videos where you can watch the plant do its thing.

I was first exposed to Mimosa pudica in a collage botany class many moons ago. My 2005 “The Biology of Horticulture” text refers to it in several places in discussing “sleep movement” and plant reactions to various frequencies of light. It gets pretty technical. Thus, Mimosa pudica is famous in the high-tech botanical world but is little known to most of us dirt gardeners.

I was reunited with Sensitive Plant a few weeks ago when a retired New York science teacher contacted me after seeing one of my articles on the Internet. Mark Chipkin was given some Mimosa seeds when a young boy by his sixth-grade teacher. He grew these seeds and he and his brother never forgot the experience of watching the plant’s movements when they tickled them.

This experience deeply affected Chipkin’s life. He became an elementary/middle school science teacher for 35 years and used what he dubbed the TickleMe Plant as a motivational tool in teaching nature and gardening. He used it to set up different classroom experiments where it seemed to captivate his students far more than other vegetation.

Chipkin and his brother now manage their small TickleMe Plant business www.ticklemeplant.com, 845-350-4800 that sells TickleMe seeds and educational kits for teachers. All of the photos that accompany this article were provide by Chipkin. Those containing children seem to verify his contention that young people are fascinated with the plant’s antics.

I have acquired some TickleMe seeds and am on my way to having some pet Mimosa pudicas. You might care to join in the fun. Mark would love to hear from you, particularly if you are a teacher who would like to follow his example in using Mimosa pudica as a motivational teaching tool.

Herbal combo may provide novel ‘cure’ for breast cancer

By Chukwuma Muanya

Bioactive flavonoids isolated successfully from Touch Me Not (Mimosa pudica), Aloe vera and stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri) may provide the much sought after cure for breast cancer. India researchers from Kannur University, Kerala, India, in a study published in the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences found that flavonoids isolated from Aloe vera, Mimosa pudica and Phyllanthus niruri showed cytotoxicity activity against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and the inhibitory concentration at 50 per cent growth (IC50) was found to be, Mimosa pudica, Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri.

The study is titled “A comparative evaluation of anticancer activities of flavonoids isolated from Mimosa pudica, Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay.” The researchers concluded: “The results indicated the cytotoxicity activity of all the three flavonoids isolated.

Therefore, they can be effectively employed in anticancer treatment. Cytotoxic study suggested that flavonoid from Mimosa pudica has the maximum cytotoxic effect than flavonoid from Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri against MCF-7, Human breast cancer cell line (Mimosa pudica >Aloe vera >Phyllanthus niruri).

So the findings of this study could be considered as valuable information for the use of medicinal natural products in cancer treatment. Molecular level studies and investigations to characterize and elucidate the structure of the active principle behind the activity are under progress.”

Commonly called stonebreaker, Phyllanthus niruri also known as ‘Chanca piedra’ belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Phyllanthus niruri is similar to Phyllanthus amarus, which also belongs to the same family. It is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas that grows 40 to 70 centimetre tall.

In Nigeria, it is called enyikwonwa and ngwu in the Ibo, oyomokeso amanke edem in Efik, geeron-tsuntsaayee (bird’s millet) in Hausa, ehin olobe and yin-olobe in Yoruba. Whole plants have been used in traditional medicine for treatment of jaundice, asthma, hepatitis and malaria. It has a potent free radical scavenging activity and could scavenge superoxides, hydroxyl radicals and can inhibit lipid peroxides.

Mimosa pudica is a small or middle sizes tree about 1.5 metre in height with leaves are very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets folding when touched. It belongs to Fabaceae family. It is reported to contain alkaloid, glycoside, flavonoids and tannins.

All parts of the plant are considered to possess medicinal properties. The plant has anti-microbial, anti-convulsant, hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-venom, diuretic, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, anti-fertility and anti-histamic activities. It is a creeping annual or perennial herb often grown for its curiosity values; as the compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched and reopens within minutes later.

The species is a native to South America and Central America, but is now a pan tropical weed. The other names for the plant are: humble plant, shame plant, touch me not. This plant has history for use for the treatment of various ailments and the most commonly used plant part is the root, but leaves, flowers, fruit and bark can also be utilized and also about the antimicrobial activity of the plan. Mimosa pudica weed, known in Nsukka as Kpakorukwu and in Udi as Kpakochuku was recently discovered to have solar properties suitable for the production of solar cells.

This was disclosed by Pharm Nwaoga, Justus Amandianaze, Chief Technologist in the department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Aloe barbadensis miller (Aloe vera), a member of the Liliaceae family, is a perennial succulent with turgid lace-shaped green leaves, and is referred to as the silent healer.

Aloe vera extracts have been reported to have many biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant and immuno-protective properties. Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties.

The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.” 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.”

Today, the Aloe vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology. Indeed cancer is the major public health problem, causing approximately seven million deaths every year worldwide.

According to the researchers, more than 80 per cent of cancer deaths are due to carcinomas such as lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreas cancers, which are currently the most lethal cancers. Lung cancer and colorectal cancers are responsible for the first and third most cancer related deaths in men and women.

Breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men rank second. Several studies have shown that cancer is largely environmentally determined, being diet a major variable. Dietary patterns, foods, nutrients and other dietary constituents are closely associated with the risk for several types of cancer, and in this regard, it has been estimated that 35 per cent of cancer deaths may be related to dietary factors. Recently, dietary polyphenols have received much attention for their anticancer properties.

Many studies in different cell lines, animal models and human epidemiological trials suggest a protective role of dietary polyphenols against different types of cancers. Flavonoids are a group of more than 4,000 polyphenolic compounds that occur naturally in foods of plant origin and are categorized, according to chemical structure, into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones.

The flavonoids have aroused considerable interest recently because of their potential beneficial effects on human health. They have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic, antiplatelet, anti- inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, antithrombotic, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities.

Makahiya plants have memories and can learn, biologists find

By MIKAEL ANGELO FRANCISCO / TJD (GMA News)

A common sight in Philippine grasslands, the makahiya plant (Mimosa pudica) is famous for its tendency to curl up its leaves at the slightest touch, as if it were extremely embarrassed about physical contact, hence its name: "makahiya" is derived from the Filipino word for "shame" or "shyness" ("hiya").

Lightly touching the leaves causes the plant to withdraw them almost instantly, and the phenomenon is admittedly both remarkable and amusing to anyone who's tried it:

However, it seems as if the makahiya (also known as the “sensitive plant” or the “touch-me-not” in other parts of the world) doesn't just discourage touching , it probably also remembers all the times humans and animals poked and prodded at it.

A 'touchy' subject

A team of biologists from Australia and Italy decided to closely examine the makahiya in order to determine what it perceives as a “harmful” touch. The team’s findings were published in the January 2014 issue of the journal Oecologia.

Led by Dr Monica Gagliano from the University of Western Australia, the researchers ran an experiment, testing for short-term or long-term memory in the tiny plant by treating it like an animal.

“The nervous system of animals serves the acquisition, memorization and recollection of information,” wrote the scientists. “Like animals, plants also acquire a huge amount of information from their environment, yet their capacity to memorize and organize learned behavioral responses has not been demonstrated.”

Experience, the best teacher

According to the biologists, the makahiya’s well-documented leaf-folding behavior – a defensive response to physical stimuli – demonstrates “clear habituation,” and suggests that the plant may have the capacity to learn.

Using a special device designed to drop water on the makahiya, the researchers trained the plant’s short-term and long-term memories while switching between high-light and low-light environments.

Dr Gagliano and her colleagues found that the plants they tested actually stopped closing their leaves after repeated water-dropping, indicating that the makahiya plants realized that the droplets presented no real danger to them.

Furthermore, the plants were able to learn rather quickly; according to the biologists, it only took them seconds to adopt this behavior.

An excellent pupil

Much like how animals learn faster in a harsher environment, the makahiya also exhibited a better memory under less favorable conditions.

Surprisingly, the makahiya plants actually remembered that the water droplets presented no threat to them. They demonstrated the same passive behavior even after weeks had passed, despite having been moved to a different environment.

“Astonishingly, Mimosa can display the learned response even when left undisturbed in a more favorable environment for a month,” the biologists observed. “This relatively long-lasting learned behavioral change as a result of previous experience matches the persistence of habituation effects observed in many animals.”

The researchers have an explanation for this, though. “Plants may lack brains and neural tissues but they do possess a sophisticated calcium-based signally network in their cells similar to animals’ memory processes.”

More respect for plants

However, the biologists also admitted that they have yet to determine the specific biological basis of the plants’ learning capabilities. On the bright side, their findings shed new light on the way we understand the similarities and differences between plants and animals. If anything, this should also serve as an effective reminder to stop disturbing plants, as the ability to learn appears to be a trait that isn't exclusive to animals alone.

The makahiya plants are perhaps best left to their own devices, lest they stage an uprising (or perhaps an “uprooting”) and decide to go for their “bullies” first. After all, we've already seen what innocent-looking plants can do to a horde of zombies.



10 Top Medicinal Uses & Benefits Of Mimosa Pudica | Touch Me Not Plant | Sensitive Plant

By Ramya Venkateshwaran (Wild Turmeric)

Mimosa pudica also commonly called as touch me not plant | sensitive plant in English is called Thotta Chinnugi in Tamil and Lajalu in Hindi. The plant is covered in thorns with beautiful pink flowers and small green leaves that closes or droops when touched. It is a plant that is found commonly in many countries and here in our farm it grows in abundance. It is considered a weed and can be commonly found in wastelands. I used to be fascinated with touch me not plant when I was younger and more so now after knowing about it's wonderful uses. When I was a kid, I used to love touching the leaves and watch it close and I used to keep on looking for it open again. I have never thought much about the medicinal values of the plant when I was growing up. Few years back, one of our farm workers was collecting the plant from the farm and when I inquired about it she replied that she was collecting it for treating diarrhea. It was the first time I heard about the medicinal use of touch me not plant. The more I came to know about it's wonderful benefits and uses, my fascination and respect for this plant has only grown over the years. It has been used for piles, dysentery, as a poultice and for treating wounds. Since it is a very popular plant extensive studies have been done on the plant scientifically proving many of the remedies it is used in. The last time we had rains, many of the mimosa pudica plant in the farm had beautiful pink flowers and I happily pictured them. I have tried my best to compile all the medicinal uses of mimosa pudica that has been scientifically proven below.....

10 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS & MEDICINAL USES OF MIMOSA PUDICA | TOUCH ME NOT PLANT | SENSITIVE PLANT:

1. Mimosa Pudica Wound Healing Activity:

Traditionally the leaf extract made by grinding the leaves with little water and extracting the juice is used for treating wounds. This remedy has been proven scientifically now! For the study, both the methanolic and water extract was used in 3 different concentrations (0.5 %, 1 % and 2 %) in a basic ointment base. The ointment containing 2 % of both methanolic and water extract showed significant wound healing activity.

2. Mimosa Pudica Anti Venom Activity:

An interesting study was done on the anti venomous activity of mimosa pudica and that too cobra venom! The study which was done on the water extract of the mimosa pudica dried root (made by boiling the dried root in water) proved that it is very good at inhibiting the activity of the snake venom. But this remedy has to done under the observation of an experienced healer or herbalist.

3. Mimosa Pudica For Piles:

Mimosa Pudica is very good for treating bleeding piles and has been used as a remedy for it for many many years. For the remedy, crush the leaves into a fine paste and apply as a poultice, it will greatly ease the burning and bleeding. This is due to it's amazing wound healing properties.

4. Mimosa Pudica For Ulcers:

Another very important study on mimosa pudica was its effect on ulcers. The study done on rats with artificially induced ulcers proved that 100 mg of ethanolic extract very effectively reduced the ulcers.

5. Mimosa Pudica For Diarrhea:

Mimosa pudica is very good in treating diarrhea. A study done on albino rats by inducing them to diarrhea using castor oil and treating them with ethanolic extract proved to be very effective in controlling the diarrhea.

6. Mimosa Pudica Anti inflammatory Properties:

Another study proved its anti inflammatory properties. The study done on rats with artificially induced paw odema proved its anti inflammatory properties. The results were very effective and significant. In village sides, we do boil the leaves of mimosa pudica and use the warm liquid as a compress, happy to know that it has been proven scientifically.

7. Mimosa Pudica Anti Diabetic Activity:

Mimosa pudica's anti diabetic activity has been proven through research. The research was done using the ethanolic extract but usually the leaf powder or the root powder is taken daily for bringing down the blood sugar levels.

8. Liver Protecting Activity of Mimosa Pudica:

Another important medicinal use it's protection of liver against toxins . When rats were given toxic ethanol along with mimosa pudica extract, it proved to be very effective in protecting the liver from toxicity.

9. Anti microbial, Anti Fungal & Anti Viral Properties Of Mimosa Pudica:

Mimosa pudica has been proven for its anti microbial, anti fungal and anti viral properties. The research was done using different concentrations of the mimosa pudica ethanol extract on various fungus and bacteria and it proved to be very effective in controlling them.

10. Anti fertility Activity of Mimosa Pudica:

Mimosa pudica has proven to have anti fertility properties. so if you are trying for pregnancy, never consume mimosa pudica in any form...


The Health Benefits of Mimosa Pudica for Hemorrhoids

Dr. Edward Group (DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM)

Mimosa Pudica is a small evergreen that grows in Brazil, Asia, Africa, and India. The plant has a number of nicknames, including shameful plant, touch-me-not, and sensitive plant. Mimosa Pudica earned these names because of an interesting quality- its leaves close when they’re touched.

In Ayurvedic medicine, Mimosa pudica is known as lajjalu and its inclusion within the system is not because of its dancing leaves, but the therapeutic benefits the compounds within the plant offers. Many hemorrhoid sufferers have experienced relief as a result of this special plant’s pharmacological profile and antioxidant activity. [1] [2] Mimosa Pudica and Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids describe an uncomfortable problem in which the blood vessels in the anal area swell and become very sore. Hemorrhoids can originate from straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, being overweight, and other factors. Swelling, discomfort, and even bleeding are common indications of hemorrhoids and they’re all miserable for the person experiencing them. In fact, in Ayurvedic medicine, hemorrhoids are known as “arsha shoola” which translates to “pain from pricking like needles.” Ouch!

For those experiencing the misery and agony of hemorrhoids, Mimosa pudica offers several benefits. If you know anything about the history of shaving, you may have heard of a styptic pencil, which is a small, crayon-like device that’s able to stop the bleeding that results from a shaving cut. Mimosa pudica has similar styptic qualities to stop bleeding. This can be invaluable for bleeding hemorrhoids. A topical paste made from Mimosa pudica leaves has been known as a hemorrhoid therapy since at least the 16th century. [1] [3] Additionally, mimosa pudica’s phenol content and antioxidant action is believed to help wounds, like bleeding hemorrhoids, heal faster. [4] Supplementing with Mimosa Pudica

If the uncomfortable presence of swollen, burning hemorrhoids is ruining your day, natural herbal therapies like Mimosa pudica may be an avenue for relief. It’s backed by at least 500 years of traditional use and contains no synthetic compounds or harmful chemicals. That’s more than can be said for many of the conventional medications available at your local drugstore.

Although herbal remedies may reduce discomfort, it’s also important to understand that addressing your hemorrhoids at the source needs to be part of the equation. If you’re overweight or strain during bowel movements, these are not factors that Mimosa pudica will remedy, you need to take action and address those separately.


Herbal combo may provide novel ‘cure’ for breast cancer

By Chukwuma Muanya

Bioactive flavonoids isolated successfully from Touch Me Not (Mimosa pudica), Aloe vera and stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri) may provide the much sought after cure for breast cancer. India researchers from Kannur University, Kerala, India, in a study published in the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences found that flavonoids isolated from Aloe vera, Mimosa pudica and Phyllanthus niruri showed cytotoxicity activity against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and the inhibitory concentration at 50 per cent growth (IC50) was found to be, Mimosa pudica, Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri.

The study is titled “A comparative evaluation of anticancer activities of flavonoids isolated from Mimosa pudica, Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri against human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) using MTT assay.” The researchers concluded: “The results indicated the cytotoxicity activity of all the three flavonoids isolated.

Therefore, they can be effectively employed in anticancer treatment. Cytotoxic study suggested that flavonoid from Mimosa pudica has the maximum cytotoxic effect than flavonoid from Aloe vera and Phyllanthus niruri against MCF-7, Human breast cancer cell line (Mimosa pudica >Aloe vera >Phyllanthus niruri).

So the findings of this study could be considered as valuable information for the use of medicinal natural products in cancer treatment. Molecular level studies and investigations to characterize and elucidate the structure of the active principle behind the activity are under progress.”

Commonly called stonebreaker, Phyllanthus niruri also known as ‘Chanca piedra’ belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Phyllanthus niruri is similar to Phyllanthus amarus, which also belongs to the same family. It is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas that grows 40 to 70 centimetre tall.

In Nigeria, it is called enyikwonwa and ngwu in the Ibo, oyomokeso amanke edem in Efik, geeron-tsuntsaayee (bird’s millet) in Hausa, ehin olobe and yin-olobe in Yoruba. Whole plants have been used in traditional medicine for treatment of jaundice, asthma, hepatitis and malaria. It has a potent free radical scavenging activity and could scavenge superoxides, hydroxyl radicals and can inhibit lipid peroxides.

Mimosa pudica is a small or middle sizes tree about 1.5 metre in height with leaves are very sensitive, both pinnae and leaflets folding when touched. It belongs to Fabaceae family. It is reported to contain alkaloid, glycoside, flavonoids and tannins.

All parts of the plant are considered to possess medicinal properties. The plant has anti-microbial, anti-convulsant, hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, anti-venom, diuretic, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, anti-fertility and anti-histamic activities. It is a creeping annual or perennial herb often grown for its curiosity values; as the compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched and reopens within minutes later.

The species is a native to South America and Central America, but is now a pan tropical weed. The other names for the plant are: humble plant, shame plant, touch me not. This plant has history for use for the treatment of various ailments and the most commonly used plant part is the root, but leaves, flowers, fruit and bark can also be utilized and also about the antimicrobial activity of the plan. Mimosa pudica weed, known in Nsukka as Kpakorukwu and in Udi as Kpakochuku was recently discovered to have solar properties suitable for the production of solar cells.

This was disclosed by Pharm Nwaoga, Justus Amandianaze, Chief Technologist in the department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria Nsukka. Aloe barbadensis miller (Aloe vera), a member of the Liliaceae family, is a perennial succulent with turgid lace-shaped green leaves, and is referred to as the silent healer.

Aloe vera extracts have been reported to have many biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antifungal, anticancer, antioxidant and immuno-protective properties. Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties.

The name Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.” 2000 years ago, the Greek scientists regarded Aloe vera as the universal panacea. The Egyptians called Aloe “the plant of immortality.”

Today, the Aloe vera plant has been used for various purposes in dermatology. Indeed cancer is the major public health problem, causing approximately seven million deaths every year worldwide.

According to the researchers, more than 80 per cent of cancer deaths are due to carcinomas such as lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, and pancreas cancers, which are currently the most lethal cancers. Lung cancer and colorectal cancers are responsible for the first and third most cancer related deaths in men and women.

Breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men rank second. Several studies have shown that cancer is largely environmentally determined, being diet a major variable. Dietary patterns, foods, nutrients and other dietary constituents are closely associated with the risk for several types of cancer, and in this regard, it has been estimated that 35 per cent of cancer deaths may be related to dietary factors. Recently, dietary polyphenols have received much attention for their anticancer properties.

Many studies in different cell lines, animal models and human epidemiological trials suggest a protective role of dietary polyphenols against different types of cancers. Flavonoids are a group of more than 4,000 polyphenolic compounds that occur naturally in foods of plant origin and are categorized, according to chemical structure, into flavonols, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, catechins, anthocyanidins and chalcones.

The flavonoids have aroused considerable interest recently because of their potential beneficial effects on human health. They have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic, antiplatelet, anti- inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, antithrombotic, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities.

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