Lajjalu

BOTANICAL NAME: Mimosa pudica

FAMILY: Mimosae

CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Charaka: Sandhaniya, Purishsangrahaniya,

Sushruta: Priyangvadi gana, Ambasthadi gana

Bhavaprakash: Guduchyadi varga

ENGLISH NAME: Sensitive plant, touch me not plant

COMMON NAME:

Hindi: Lajjalu, chuimui

Bengali: Lajjavati

Kannada: Nachike mullu

REFERENCE: BHAVAPRAKASH SAMHITA with link e Nighantu:

https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/?mod=read

लज्जालुः स्याच्छमीपत्रा समङ्गा जलकारिका |

रक्तपादी नमस्कारी नाम्ना खदिरकेत्यपि ||२३०||

लज्जालुः शीतला तिक्ता कषाया कफपित्तजित् |

रक्तपित्तमतीसारं योनिरोगान् विनाशयेत् ||२३१||

HABITAT: Native to Brazil but found all over India

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:

It is a small thorny shrub which grows upto 100cm in height. The stalk of the leaf is long and 4 leaves in the form of paw arise from it. Leaves highly resemble with that of khadir leaves and they

are arranged symmetrically and close on touch; hence the name sensitive plant. The flowers are pink in color, delicate arise from the tip of stalk. Fruits are in form of legumes which are 1.5-2cm long, bearing thorns. Each legume contains 3-4 seeds.

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Mimosin and turgorin

THERAPEUTIC USES:

• Haemorrhoids: Powder of the leaves of lajjalu should be given with milk.
• Diarrhoea: Decoction of this plant is consumed thrice a day to treat diarrhea.
• Wound healing: Paste of this plant is externally applied over the fresh wounds to stop bleeding.
• Menorrhagia: Fresh juice or decoction is useful in various menstrual disorders.

INDICATIONS

Atisara Diarrhoea, Arsha Haemorrhoids, Shrama fatigue, Vrana wounds, Shwasa Asthma, Kustha Skin disorders, Raktavikara bleeding disorders, Daha Burning sensation, Raktapitta Epistaxis, Shotha Inflammation

USEFUL PART: Root, whole plant

DOSAGE: Fresh juice 10-20 ml, Decoction: 50-100ml

AYURVEDIC FORMULATION:

1. Kutaja avaleha
2. Samangadi churna
3. Lakshadi churan