In nature we can find a great number of natural elements that provide us with medicinal, cosmetic and many other benefits. The mimosa hostilis tree is one of them. The mimosa hostilis or mimosa tenuiflora is an ancestral tree of the fabaceae family whose contributions to the world of medicine and cosmetics are notorious due to its healing properties and its use is becoming increasingly important and widespread in the world.
Mimosa Hostilis Tree
The mimosa hostilis tree is a thorny tree or shrub belonging to the fabaceae family. It is found in South and Central America, mainly in Mexico and Brazil but can also be found in Colombia, El Salvador, Venezuela, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala among other countries. It is popularly known by different names such as jurema and jurema preta in Brazil and tepezcohuite in Mexico.
This tree has an average height of 4 meters but can reach up to 8 meters. Its bark is woody reddish brown and has stems with erect and sharp thorns up to 3 cm long. Its leaves are between 10 and 25 centimeters long. It has a white-yellow flower that is generally shaped like a cylindrical spike. Its seeds are lenticular and come inside the fruit that is a 4 to 6 cm long pod with 4 or 6 segments that each have a seed inside. Its seeds are 4 mm long lenticular, oval and flat.
Uses of Mimosa Hostilis
One of the main uses of the mimosa hostilis tree is medicinal. This tree is an ally in the treatment of many skin conditions due to its regenerative properties and its monosodium components, as well as its antimicrobial and antibiotic properties. For all these reasons, it is an excellent healing agent and has proven highly effective in treating burns as it protects irritated skin and promotes its regeneration.
The mimosa hostilis tree is an important source of pollen and forage for bees, especially in times of drought and at the beginning of the wet season. It is also a source of food for livestock and other local animals that feed on its pods and leaves, which are a source of protein and nutrients for them.
Its wood is a great source of firewood and charcoal. Also, due to its high concentration of tannins, it is a rot resistant wood and is quite strong so it is often used in the construction of posts, fences, bridges, furniture and buildings. Its bark is used as a vegetable dye due to its high concentration of tannins and is also used to dye textiles and in leather production.
Benefits of Mimosa Hostilis
In addition to the health benefits that this tree provides, such as the treatment of skin conditions like acne, dermatitis and the treatment of burns and scars, this tree also has cosmetic benefits. Its use has been successful in treating hair problems such as capillary fragility, dandruff, seborrhea and it is also an ally in the beauty world because it helps to improve the appearance of wrinkles and stretch marks.
Its uses and benefits go beyond cosmetic and medicinal. This tree provides ecological and agroforestry benefits. One of the main agroforestry benefits of the mimosa hostilis tree is bioremediation and soil fertilization. It helps combat drought and erosion and promotes reforestation thanks to its nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
The infusion of its leaves and bark is also beneficial in the treatment of toothache and cough. This infusion also helps prevent parasites in pets. Animals can be washed with this infusion so that its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties help prevent the proliferation of parasites on their skin.
