Botanical name : Mimosa pudica Linn.
Family : Mimosaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Lajjalu, Samanga, Raktapadi, Namaskari, Kharatvak, Sankochani
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Seeta
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Sensitive plant, Humble plant
Hindi : Lajvanti, Lajjavanti
Malayalam : Tottavadi, Tottalvadi
Distribution – Throughout India in waste lands
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A diffuse undershrub grows up to 60 cm in height. Leaves bipinnately compound, pinnate 2-4 digitally arranged with 20-30 pairs of leaflets; leaves are touch sensitive. Flowers pink in round heads; fruits bristly pods, flat, consisting 3-5 one seeded segments.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, oedema, allergy, bronchial asthma, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, ulcer, jaundice, arthritis and fever.
Useful part : Whole plant.
Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD