Medicinal use of Mimosa pudica in treating menorrhagia.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Mimosa pudica (linn.) its medicinal value and pilot clinical use in patients with menorrhagia
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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Gunvanti H. Vaidya, U. K. Sheth
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Mimosa pudica (linn.) its medicinal value and pilot clinical use in patients with menorrhagia
Year: 1986
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the "Touch-me-not" plant, has intrigued humans for centuries due to its unique sensitivity to touch and its reputed medicinal properties. Referenced in ancient Ayurvedic texts, this plant has been used traditionally for conditions such as excessive uterine bleeding. Historical usage and anecdotal evidence have led to an interest in its potential applications in modern medicine, particularly for treating menorrhagia, which involves heavy menstrual blood loss.
Medicinal Applications of Mimosa Pudica
The pharmacological evaluation of Mimosa pudica highlights its active compounds, including mimosine and various essential oils. Clinical observations indicated that the aqueous extracts from the roots were effective in reducing excessive menstrual bleeding in a small pilot study involving nine women with menorrhagia. Various formulations of the plant were administered, including distilled extracts and micronized powders. The plant demonstrated substantial efficacy in controlling heavy menstrual flow with minimal adverse effects reported. One particularly notable case involved a 14-year-old girl whose heavy bleeding normalized after treatment with the plant extract, underscoring its potential therapeutic benefits.
Conclusion
The findings from the pilot study suggest that Mimosa pudica holds promise as a natural remedy for managing menorrhagia. While the tolerability of the plant was found to be good, further research is necessary to validate these results through larger and more controlled clinical trials. A collaborative approach, integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines, could enhance the understanding and utilization of traditional medicinal plants like Mimosa pudica in modern healthcare settings. This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research into traditional remedies for gynecological disorders.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is Mimosa pudica and its primary medicinal use?
Mimosa pudica, also known as Touch-me-not, is a plant used medicinally for conditions like menorrhagia. Its properties are believed to help with excessive uterine bleeding, despite its historical background associated with magical and medicinal values.
What types of patients were included in the study?
The study included nine women, aged 14 to 40 years, experiencing heavy menstrual blood loss. Their cases were reviewed to assess the tolerability and potential therapeutic effects of Mimosa pudica for menorrhagia.
How was the root of Mimosa pudica prepared for the study?
The root was cleaned, dried, pulverized, and extracted with water. The resulting aqueous extract was used for toxicity and observational studies, with dosages provided in both liquid and capsule forms for patient treatment.
What were the study findings regarding the safety of Mimosa pudica?
The pilot studies indicated good tolerability of Mimosa pudica, with no significant side effects observed in treated patients. Mild sedation was noted in toxicity tests, but no fatalities occurred, suggesting relative safety for clinical use.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Medicinal use of Mimosa pudica in treating menorrhagia.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Blood:
Blood is a vital bodily fluid that plays a crucial role in the context of Mimosa pudica's medicinal value, particularly its purported haemostatic properties. The plant has been traditionally used to address conditions involving excessive bleeding, such as menorrhagia, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent to stabilize blood loss.
2) Dysmenorrhea (Dysmenorrhoea):
Dysmenorrhoea refers to the painful cramps associated with menstruation. The pilot clinical study described the beneficial effects of Mimosa pudica in alleviating not only excessive menstrual bleeding but also the pain typically experienced during menstruation, demonstrating the plant's value in treating women's health issues related to menstrual cycles.
3) Toxicity:
Toxicity is a vital consideration in pharmacology and herbal medicine, as demonstrated in the study of Mimosa pudica. The acute toxicity tests showed that the plant's extracts have low toxicity levels, emphasizing its safety as a potential treatment for various ailments, particularly in managing excessive menstrual bleeding.
4) Vaidya:
Vaidya refers to an Ayurvedic practitioner or healer in traditional Indian medicine. The involvement of vaidyas in the study underscores the integration of traditional knowledge with modern clinical practices, utilizing herbs like Mimosa pudica for treating conditions such as menorrhagia and showcasing the importance of traditional perspectives in contemporary health.
5) Menstrual blood:
Menstrual blood is the blood that a woman expels from her uterus during her menstrual cycle. The focus on menstrual blood within the context of Mimosa pudica highlights the plant's traditional and clinical applications in treating menorrhagia, making it a significant focal point for understanding women's reproductive health.
6) Vomiting:
Vomiting is a physical reaction that can accompany various health issues, including those related to menstruation. In the pilot study, the combination of Mimosa pudica with other treatments demonstrated a reduction in symptoms like nausea and vomiting, showcasing how the plant may help alleviate discomfort associated with menstrual conditions.
7) Botany:
Botany pertains to the study of plants, including their characteristics, classifications, and uses. The botanical aspects of Mimosa pudica are essential for identifying its active components and understanding its potential therapeutic effects as documented in the study, where plant identification ensured the reliable application of traditional medicine.
8) Water:
Water is a solvent commonly used in herbal preparations, such as the aqueous extraction method described for Mimosa pudica. The study utilized water to extract medicinal properties from the plant's roots, highlighting the practical aspects of preparing herbal remedies and the importance of proper extraction methods in pharmacological studies.
9) Drug:
A drug is a substance used for medical treatment, and in this context, Mimosa pudica functions as a herbal drug. Its application in treating menorrhagia in the pilot studies positions it among other therapeutic agents, emphasizing the exploration of natural products as viable alternatives in modern medicine.
10) Pharmacology:
Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with biological systems. The pilot study of Mimosa pudica emphasizes the need for pharmacological evaluation to establish its safety, efficacy, and mechanisms of action. Understanding these aspects facilitates finding effective herbal treatments for conditions like menorrhagia.
11) Lajavanti (Lājavantī):
Lajavanti is another name for Mimosa pudica, derived from regional medicinal practices. This local nomenclature reflects the cultural significance and historical use of the plant in Ayurvedic medicine for ailments, particularly those affecting women, showcasing its longstanding role in traditional health practices.
12) Substance:
Substance in a medicinal context refers to the active components within a plant that contribute to its therapeutic effects, such as those found in Mimosa pudica. Understanding the specific active substances present in the plant is crucial for evaluating its efficacy and safety in treating health conditions.
13) Activity:
Activity refers to the biological effects exhibited by a substance, such as the action of Mimosa pudica on excessive menstrual bleeding. The study aimed to assess the plant's activity against menorrhagia, exploring its potential as an effective treatment through pilot clinical trials and observational studies.
14) Lajjalu (Lajjālu):
Lajjalu is another common name for Mimosa pudica in many Indian cultures, similarly linked to its sensitive nature when touched. This term underscores the plant's cultural relevance and traditional uses, which have been recognized for their potential therapeutic benefits in various health conditions over time.
15) Science (Scientific):
Science in this context refers to the systematic study of the natural world, including herbal medicine. The exploration of Mimosa pudica's properties through clinical trials highlights the intersection of scientific inquiry with traditional knowledge, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based practices in understanding herbal remedies.
16) Nausea:
Nausea is a feeling of unease in the stomach that often accompanies vomiting. In the reported case studies of patients treated with Mimosa pudica, alleviating nausea, particularly during menstruation, illustrates the plant's potential to provide holistic relief for women's health issues affected by menstrual cycles.
17) Honey:
Honey is a natural sweetener often used in traditional medicine. In the context of treating menorrhagia with Mimosa pudica, honey was added to enhance acceptability and palatability of the herb's preparation, demonstrating the integration of complementary ingredients in herbal formulations to improve treatment outcomes.
18) Ulcer:
An ulcer refers to a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane. Mimosa pudica has been used traditionally for external applications to treat ulcers and wounds, indicating the plant's multifunctionality in Ayurvedic practices, where it serves both internal and external medicinal purposes for various health issues.
19) Shari (Sari, Śāri, Sāri, Sārī):
Sari refers to traditional Indian clothing, specifically worn by women. The mention of sari pad changes in the study highlights the cultural context surrounding menstruation and the daily challenges faced by women dealing with excessive bleeding, emphasizing the need for effective treatments like Mimosa pudica in managing such conditions.
20) Curd:
Curd is a dairy product commonly used in Indian culinary and medicinal practices. The use of curd in conjunction with Mimosa pudica root powder illustrates the traditional methods of preparing herbal treatments, enhancing efficacy and acceptability, while reflecting the integration of dietary elements into health practices.