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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Mimosa tenuiflora bark promotes wound healing through multiple mechanisms. The high tannin content (up to 16%) provides astringent effects that protect wounds and reduce bleeding. Flavonoids and saponins reduce inflammation and stimulate collagen synthesis, accelerating tissue regeneration. The bark also contains antioxidant compounds that protect healing tissue from oxidative damage. Traditional Mexican medicine has used this herb for centuries for burns and wounds, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence Level C).
Does Mimosa tenuiflora interact with antidepressants or MAOIs?
Yes, Mimosa tenuiflora can cause serious interactions with MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and potentially other antidepressants. The bark contains DMT-related tryptamine compounds that are normally broken down by monoamine oxidase enzymes. When combined with MAOIs, these psychoactive compounds can accumulate to dangerous levels, causing hypertensive crisis, serotonin syndrome, or severe psychological effects. Internal use should be avoided with any psychiatric medications. Topical application for wound healing has not shown significant systemic absorption or drug interactions.
What is the proper dosage of Mimosa tenuiflora for burns?
For burn treatment, Mimosa tenuiflora bark powder is typically prepared as a paste applied topically to the affected area. Traditional preparation involves mixing 1-2 tablespoons of powdered bark with water to form a paste, applied directly to cleaned burns or wounds once or twice daily. The paste is left in place under a clean bandage and reapplied as needed. Standardized commercial preparations may have different dosage instructions. Internal use is not recommended due to psychoactive compounds. Evidence for topical dosing remains limited (Evidence Level C).
Is Mimosa tenuiflora safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Mimosa tenuiflora is not considered safe during pregnancy. The bark contains tryptamine compounds related to DMT that can cross the placental barrier and potentially affect fetal development. These psychoactive compounds may cause uterine stimulation or neurological effects in the developing fetus. Both internal use and concentrated topical preparations should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive should consult a healthcare provider before using any Mimosa tenuiflora products.
What are the traditional uses of Mimosa tenuiflora bark?
Mimosa tenuiflora, known as Tepezcohuite in Mexico and Jurema in Brazil, has been used traditionally for wound and burn healing, skin regeneration, and in shamanic rituals. Mexican traditional medicine applies the bark powder topically to treat burns, wounds, and skin conditions due to its regenerative properties. In Brazil, indigenous groups use the bark in ceremonial preparations for its psychoactive effects. Modern interest focuses primarily on its wound-healing and skin-regeneration applications, though clinical evidence supporting these uses remains limited (Evidence Level C).
What are the side effects of Mimosa tenuiflora?
When used topically for wound healing, Mimosa tenuiflora is generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects. However, internal ingestion can cause significant psychoactive effects including altered perception, nausea, and psychological distress due to DMT-related tryptamines. When combined with MAOIs, serious adverse effects including hypertensive crisis and serotonin syndrome may occur. Allergic skin reactions are possible with topical use. The herb should not be used internally without proper preparation and guidance, and is contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential fetal effects.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Mimosa tenuiflora, also known as Jurema Preta, is a perennial tree or shrub native to the Americas used for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and psychoactive properties [PMID:33885936, 39738702].
Background
Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. is a leguminous plant native to the tropical regions of the Americas, particularly found in the Brazilian Caatinga and Cerrado biomes [PMID:33727031, 39738702].
Traditional uses
Popularly used in Brazil to treat comorbidities affecting the skin, as well as bronchitis, fever, headache, and inflammation [PMID:33885936, 29793320]. It is used by Indigenous peoples in Northeastern Brazil to produce 'jurema wine,' a psychedelic drink for medico-religious rituals [PMID:39179178, 16320208]. In Mexico, it is used in the treatment of scorpion stings [PMID:37211060].
Active compounds
The plant contains N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) [PMID:39738702], alkaloids (including yuremamine [PMID:16320208]), saponins (mimonosides A, B, and C [PMID:8510463]), flavonoids, and phenolic compounds such as condensed tannins [PMID:33727031, 35056811]. Other identified compounds include lupeol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol [PMID:8510463].
Mechanism of action
The plant's antidepressant-like effects are associated with 5-HT2A/2C receptors in mice [PMID:35723216]. Its anti-aflatoxin B1 activity is linked to the down-modulation of biosynthetic pathway cluster genes, specifically the internal regulators aflR and aflS [PMID:34072350].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DCracked nipples during breastfeeding
A cream containing M. tenuiflora and Calendula officinalis was found useful for healing, though the study lacked a control group [PMID:30000917]
Evidence BSurgical wound antiseptic (Feline)
Pyroligneous extract of M. tenuiflora significantly reduced bacterial growth and improved healing in cats subjected to ovariosalpingohysterectomy [PMID:36139185]
Evidence DDepression (Murine model)
Standardized extract of M. tenuiflora (SEMT) demonstrated antidepressant-like effects in behavioral models [PMID:35723216]
Evidence BAntimicrobial/Antiseptic (Goats)
Pyroligneous acid of M. tenuiflora demonstrated antiseptic action in dairy goats with results similar to 2% iodine [PMID:33342017]
Safety & adverse effects
Acute oral administration of ethanolic root bark extract (up to 2000 mg/kg) in female Swiss mice did not cause mortality or change food intake/body weight, but significantly altered relative kidney weights [PMID:39179178]. In human immune cells, certain constituents like santin enhanced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 under basal conditions [PMID:37813289].
Pregnancy & lactation
M. tenuiflora has demonstrated embryotoxic, fetotoxic, and abortive potential in farm animals (sheep and goats) [PMID:33727031]. In Wistar rats, ingestion of seeds during pregnancy caused significant bone malformations in fetuses [PMID:18078971].
Evidence summary
Evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models (mice, rats, zebrafish, cats, goats), and low-quality uncontrolled case series. There is a lack of high-quality human clinical trials.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30000917 (2006) — Chemical study of Mimosa tenuiflora barks. · Natural product research
2.PMID: 33885936 (2021) — Mimosa tenuiflora's antimicrobial activity on bacteria and fungi from medical importance: an integrative review. · Archives of microbiology
3.PMID: 36139185 (2022) — Efficiency of Pyroligneous Extract from Jurema Preta (Mimosa tenuiflora [Willd.] Poiret) as an Antiseptic in Cats (Felis catus) Subjected to Ovariosalpingohysterectomy. · Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
4.PMID: 8510463 (1993) — Pharmacognosy of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 39179178 (2024) — Unraveling the metabolomic profile and acute toxicity of ethanolic extract from Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. root bark. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
7.PMID: 39738702 (2024) — Unraveling the organellar genomic landscape of the therapeutic and entheogenic plant Mimosa tenuiflora: insights into genetic, structural, and evolutionary dynamics. · Functional & integrative genomics
8.PMID: 35056811 (2022) — Preservation of Mimosa tenuiflora Antiaflatoxigenic Activity Using Microencapsulation by Spray-Drying. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 33727031 (2021) — Phytochemistry and teratogenic potential of Mimosa tenuiflora (willd.) poir. (Fabaceae) in ruminants: A systematic review. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
10.PMID: 27693339 (2016) — Chitosan/Mimosa tenuiflora films as potential cellular patch for skin regeneration. · International journal of biological macromolecules
11.PMID: 33260723 (2020) — Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Ayahuasca Beverages. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 34072350 (2021) — Mimosa tenuiflora Aqueous Extract: Role of Condensed Tannins in Anti-Aflatoxin B1 Activity in Aspergillus flavus. · Toxins
13.PMID: 35723216 (2022) — β-carboline-independent antidepressant-like effect of the standardized extract of the barks of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poir. occurs via 5-HT2A/2C receptors in mice. · Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
14.PMID: 39761753 (2025) — Neuropharmacological potential of Mimosa tenuiflora in adult zebrafish: An integrated approach to GABAergic and serotonergic neuromodulation. · Behavioural brain research
15.PMID: 33342017 (2021) — Pyroligneous acid from Mimosa tenuiflora and Eucalyptus urograndis as an antimicrobial in dairy goats. · Journal of applied microbiology
16.PMID: 32896230 (2021) — Chemical Composition of Traditional and Analog Ayahuasca. · Journal of psychoactive drugs
17.PMID: 37211060 (2023) — Medicinal plants from Mexico used in the treatment of scorpion sting. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
18.PMID: 37765368 (2023) — Evaluation of the Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Green, Brown, and Dark Propolis. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
19.PMID: 16320208 (2005) — Isolation and characterization of yuremamine, a new phytoindole. · Planta medica
20.PMID: 28078783 (2017) — New propolis type from north-east Brazil: chemical composition, antioxidant activity and botanical origin. · Journal of the science of food and agriculture
21.PMID: 37981022 (2024) — The potential usage of Caatinga natural products against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. · Fitoterapia
22.PMID: 28692115 (2017) — An optimized protocol for DNA extraction in plants with a high content of secondary metabolites, based on leaves of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. (Leguminosae). · Genetics and molecular research : GMR
23.PMID: 37813289 (2024) — Effects of caatinga propolis from Mimosa tenuiflora and its constituents (santin, sakuranetin and kaempferide) on human immune cells. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
24.PMID: 40941951 (2025) — Ethnobotany in a Modern City: The Persistence in the Use of Medicinal Plants in Guadalajara, Mexico. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
25.PMID: 23643453 (2013) — Effects of Mimosa tenuiflora on larval establishment of Haemonchus contortus in sheep. · Veterinary parasitology
26.PMID: 36913161 (2023) — Can phytogenic additives replace monensin sodium in beef cattle feeding? · Tropical animal health and production
27.PMID: 18078971 (2008) — Teratogenicity of Mimosa tenuiflora seeds to pregnant rats. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
28.PMID: 29234387 (2017) — Antioxidant Activity of a Geopropolis from Northeast Brazil: Chemical Characterization and Likely Botanical Origin. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
29.PMID: 39967169 (2025) — Polyphenolic profile, botanical origin, and radical scavenging activity of geopropolis produced by the stingless bee Melipona subnitida Ducke in northeastern Brazil. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)