Lajalu - Thotta chinungi

Botanical Name: Mimosa pudica Linn.

Family: Leguminosae

English: Sensitive plant

Sanskrit: Lajjalu, Laajwanti

Hindi: Lajalu, Chui mui

Tamil: Thottalsinungi, Thottalchinungi

Bengali: Lajjavati, Lajjabati

Kannada: Nachike mullu, Nachike Gida

Gujarati: Reesamani

Malayalam: Thottavadi

Telugu: Attapatti and Peddanidrakanni

Description 

Mimosa pudica (from Latin Pudica meaning shy, shrinking) also commonly called as touch me not plant and sensitive plant in English. It is called Thotta Chinungi 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.

It is a perennial short prickly herb with sensitive leaves which fold and drop on touching. This plant is native to tropical America and Australia. Mimosa belongs to the taxonomic group Magnoliopsida and family Mimosaseae.

This plant has gained popularity because of the drooping or shrinking reaction it has to touch or to various stimuli present in the environment. But, what the people are unaware about are its various health benefits.  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 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)

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 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

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

Instead of going for expensive treatments and surgeries, simply prepare a paste of the touch-me-not plant and Ashwagandha roots and apply this paste on the breasts to uplift them.

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. But this remedy has to done under the observation of an experienced healer or herbalist.

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

This plant also helps to treat fractures of the bone.Simply make a paste of the leaves and apply on the affected area.

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).