Mimosa pudica L./Mimosae Herba
Aliases：Hài Xiū Cǎo (Shy Grass); Pà Xiū Cǎo (Afraid-of-Shyness Grass); Pà Chǒu Cǎo (Afraid-of-Ugliness Grass); Hū Hè Cǎo (Shouting Grass); Zhī Xiū Cǎo (Knows-Shyness Grass); Hē Hū Cǎo (Shouting Grass); Wàng Jiāng Nán (Overlooking the South); Jù Nèi Cǎo (Afraid-of-Wife Grass); Gǎn Yìng Cǎo (Response Grass).
Han Xiu Cao (Sensitive Plant) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried whole plant of Mimosa pudica L., a plant of the Fabaceae family.
Efficacy & Actions
Cools blood and detoxifies, clears heat and promotes diuresis, calms the mind and relieves pain.
Indications
Used for common cold, high fever in children, acute conjunctivitis, bronchitis, gastritis, diarrhea, and urinary tract stones. It is also used for hepatitis, enteritis, edema, cough with hemoptysis due to overexertion, epistaxis, hematuria, neurasthenia, insomnia, sores and toxic swellings, herpes zoster, and traumatic injuries.
Modern Pharmacology
Expectorant: Exhibits antitussive and mild expectorant effects. Antimicrobial: Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, S. albus, Neisseria catarrhalis, as well as influenza A virus (Asian strain) and rhinovirus type 17. Antispasmodic: Antagonizes histamine-induced bronchospasm and acetylcholine-induced intestinal spasm. Anti-inflammatory: Possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Antitumor: Exhibits antitumor activity. Hepatoprotective: Total flavonoids protect against CCl₄-induced acute liver injury in mice. Diuretic: Has good diuretic effect and alleviates edema.
Ingredients
Alkaloids: Mimosine. Flavonoids: Mimoside, 2-O-rhamnosylorientin, 2-O-rhamnosylisoorientin, 5,3,4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl flavone C-glycoside, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 15–30g; fresh material may be used at 30–60g. May also be stewed with meat. The root dosage is 9–15g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, fresh herb mashed for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. This herb has anesthetic effects; internal use should not exceed the recommended dosage. This herb is slightly toxic and should be used under the guidance of a physician.
Selected Formulas
For acute hepatitis (Guangxi Bencao Xuanbian) Take 15–60g of the whole plant of Hanxiucao (Mimosa pudica). Decoct in water and drink. For acute diarrhea (Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 60g of Hanxiucao. Decoct in water and drink. For gastroenteritis and urinary tract stones (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica) Take 15g of Hanxiucao, 10g of Mutong (Akebia stem), 10g of Haijinsha (Lygodium spore), and 15g of Cheqiancao (Plantago herb). Decoct in water and drink. For neurasthenia and insomnia (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 9g of Hanxiucao and 30g of Yejiaoteng (Polygonum multiflorum vine). Decoct in water and drink. For rheumatic pain (Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 15g of Hanxiucao root, soak in wine and drink.
Daily Consumption
Mimosa Decoction: Take 15–30g of dried Mimosa (or 30–60g of fresh herb), add water, decoct, and take orally. Mimosa Stewed with Meat: Take an appropriate amount of Mimosa and stew it with meat for consumption. Mimosa Root Wine: Take 15g of Mimosa root, steep it in wine, and consume. This can be used for rheumatic pain.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from mold and insects.