Mimosa medica: Impressively sensitive, yet undeniably powerful

Mimosa pudica, or as we call it in Jamaica, Shame Mi Darling, is the shyest powerhouse you’ll only find in a handful of tropical climates outside of the island. Shame Mi Darling inherited its name because of the plant’s high sensitivity to touch. With the softest poke of its fern-like leaves, the plant cowers and closes on contact. I happen to find this endearing and remarkable.

Aside from free entertainment prompted by a light patter here and there, Shame Mi Darling provides amazing medicinal benefits. The leaves of the plant can be steeped and consumed as a tea to treat diarrhea, urinary ailments such as UTIs, and even shorten a menstrual cycle (thus, not recommended for women trying to conceive or pregnant). This sheepish plant also has cancer-fighting properties due to its high antioxidant content in leaves, which doubles as an immune booster. For joint pain and open wounds, Shame Mi Darling’s leaves can also be ground into a paste and used as a topical for reducing inflammation and treating cuts.

Recently, I did a proper materia medica study on the plant. Hilariously, the soil of this plant actually smelled like Tootsie Rolls during my study.

Mimosa pudica has a strong, solid tap root structure. Cool fact: This plant's root involves a complex nodule system that retains nitrogen compounds to help the plant grow. When the plant dies, it releases all of its nitrogen back into the soil making it available to feed other plants in its vicinity.

As a quick reminder, the Mimosa pudica is a diuretic with a strong affinity for the kidneys, bladder, urinary tract acts as a tonifying nervine for the urinary system. This is why the plant often works well for those with any kind of urinary challenges.