Thursday, February 7, 2013

www.malaysianherbals.com-Mulberry Plant (56)-Silkworm Tree

MULBERRY TREE    -zetarra marugatze arbolean

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Morus, a genus of flowering plants in the family Moraceae, comprises 10–16 species of deciduous trees commonly known as mulberries growing wild and under cultivation in many temperate world regions.

Mulberry tea reduces sugar and cholesterol levels in your blood. It adjusts the blood pressure to normal level and reduces the risk of liver cancer.

File:Silkworm mulberry tree zetarra marugatze arbolean2.JPGThe leaves, fruits and stems of mulberry trees have been used for over 5,000 years. Varieties include wild, white, black and red mulberries. They grow all around the world. The edible berries are both tasty and nutritious, and the leaves can be eaten as a vegetable or brewed into a tea. The leaves of the mulberry tree, are used to make a tea. The tea has the ability to block the absorption of sugars, which makes it healthy for diabetics.

Mulberry tea helps to flush fluids and toxins out of the body. It is considered a diuretic. Also, it helps with weight loss because of its ability to block the absorption of sugars.



The mulberry most resembles a raspberry but is so soft that harvesting is difficult. It must be eaten on the day it is picked but doesn't pack or travel well, so the only reliable way to enjoy the mulberry's unique, fresh flavour is to grow your own.
It is usually grown as a standard tree, often with the lower branches removed. The tree grows to an incredible age and becomes beautifully gnarled and twisted over the years, which makes it a favourite with children for climbing.
It may lean and with a mature spread of 9m (30ft) it is unsuitable for the small garden, unless you are happy to be in total shade.
The mulberry will succeed in all but the coldest areas but prefers a position in full sun. Pliny the Elder described it as "the wisest of trees" because it comes into leaf and flower after all risk of frost has passed and drops its leaves in early autumn before the onset of cold weather.
Being self-fertile it crops every year. In northern gardens, young plants may suffer in a cold wind and an alternative method of growing is to train it as an espalier against a sunny south-facing wall.
The mulberry will thrive in most soils providing the drainage is good, with heavy crops even where the ground is poor and infertile. A neutral to slightly acid soil with a pH of between 5.5 and 7 is ideal.
A mulberry tree may be grown in a large container but will eventually outgrow the available root space. When planting, use a soil-based compost and position the tree so that the finished level is 7cm-10cm (3in-4in) below the top of the container. This will allow for an annual 2cm-3cm (1in) layer of fresh compost.
A bare-root tree may be planted in winter, but the roots are brittle so take care when back filling with compost. Use your fist rather than your foot to firm the soil. Container-grown trees may be planted at any time of the year but avoid purchasing plants that are pot bound with a tangled mass of roots.
Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer, pulling off this year's growth with a small heel of older wood. Root in a gritty, free-draining compost.
The simplest method of propagation is to root a large hardwood cutting (a "truncheon") in late autumn. Select a three-year-old branch that is as thick as your wrist and up to 1m (3ft) long. Drive it into the ground at least 30cm (1ft) deep.
The top of the branch is cut at an angle to prevent rain water lying on the cut surface. It can be rooted where it is to be grown. Where more than one is being propagated, space at least 60cm (2ft) apart. The following winter ease the rooted plant out of the ground without damaging the roots.
For the first two years after planting, make sure that the mulberry is never short of water. Until the plant is established the roots are slow to spread and will benefit from 10cm (4in) of bark or compost mulch. An annual, early summer application of Growmore at 60g per square metre scattered over the root zone will encourage strong growth. A high-potash liquid feed of tomato fertiliser in early August will strengthen the branches.
Once established, little pruning is necessary. Mulberries bleed if pruned when the sap is rising, so remove broken, dead or damaged branches in early winter. Prune young trees in late summer when the growth has settled down. Remove any low branches and those crossing into the centre of the tree back to the main trunk.
Old branches can be brittle and a heavy crop may cause them to crack or break. Use forked sticks as props to support the main branches from summer onwards.
Fruit ripens over a period of weeks during late August and early September. Birds love mulberries and netting is recommended to ensure that the crop is not eaten before you can harvest it.
The simplest method of harvesting is to spread a cotton, plastic or fine-mesh sheet on the ground and shake the tree every other day. There will be leaves, twigs, debris and the occasional unripe berry mixed in with the ripe fruit. Either pick out the fruit by hand or put everything into a tub of water. The ripe fruit will sink and the debris may be skimmed off the surface.
When ripe fruit falls on the surface of a patio it will make unsightly stains (one good reason why you should not plant a mulberry over a patio). Beware of carrying squashed fruit into the house on shoes. If the tree is planted as a specimen in a lawn, the grass must be kept short at harvest time so the fruit is easy to spot.
http://youtu.be/rdm5ARzrFbc

Turning cocoon into silk rope for five generations

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Producer Hasan Büyükaşık says they get a nearly 1,700-meter-long silk rope from one cocoon and color them using meddar. AA photosThe business of the silkworm, which is to produce ropes from cocoons, is being made using traditional methods by a local of Hatay, despite modern technology. Hasan Büyükaşık has been in the business for years, as the fifth generation in a facility in the garden of his house


Hasan Büyükaşık, a local of the southeastern province of Hatay, has been recently been getting involved with his father’s business of producing silkworm with traditional methods. Büyükaşık, 78, produces silk products in his garden facility with his wife and children, and exports them to countries from the U.S. to China. 

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Büyükaşık said silkworm producers began working every spring, when berry trees begin to blossom. He said they put the cocoon on a ground and that worms are born after a 19-day incubation period.

Then worms begin to spin the cocoon and finish it in 10 days. “It is a super naturalistic thing. Some worms remain in the cocoon that they spin and some leave it. We put the cocoons that are in a good condition in hot water and try to get the ropes from it with the help of a specially made broom. We can get a nearly 1,700-meter-long silk rope from one cocoon, then we process it and get colorful ropes using madder. These valuable ropes turn into dresses, scarves or sheets,” Büyükaşık said. 

He said that when he was a child there was always a furnace in the garden of every house but that this is now history because of developing technology. “I am in love with this business. It has been continued in my family for five generations and I have never left it,” he said. 

Despite modern technology, Büyükaşık’s business has always used traditional methods in the garden of his house. His eight children and wife also work with him to produce the silk. “In the past, I used to weave the silks at a bench in the garden of my house. We have improved our business over time and established a big facility next to my house. Along with my eight children and wife, I also employ nine people. Overall, we have produced ropes from nearly six tons of cocoons. We hope this year will be even more productive,” he said. 

Büyükaşık said they sold most of their products in Turkey, although they exported 20 percent of their products to foreign countries, from the U.S., to Italy, and China.

Just as the silkworm, we also have a story for the silk. When they hatch out, silkworms look like a coil of brown or black feathers. In time the colour fades and bleaches. Also they moult and a soft skin comes out. These silkworms, which are as small as a pin live five ages throughout their six-weeks life. Each age lasts seven-eight days; then they sleep one-two days. Silkworms sleep four times in their short lives. They get mulberry leaves when they wake up. Each silkworm is

 called “alaldy” when they wake up. In the last “alaldy”, they start to cocoon.
When the insect raises its head as if looking for something, which means the silk production is beginning. In the meantime branches of trees such as oak and pine are plunged in the earth and the silkworms try to find a place for themselves among these branches with a good rustling. The production is about to begin.


  

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Saturday, February 2, 2013

www.malaysianherbals.com-Coconut-Cocos nucifera,(55)-தென்னைமரம்


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Cocos nucifera. 

Coconut trees grow in warm weather.

Coconut water nutrition facts

Coconut water is actually the juice in the interior cavity or endosperm of young, tender coconut. Its water is one of the nature’s most refreshing drinks, consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefiting properties.
The water is actually obtained by opening a tender, green, healthy, and undamaged coconut. Inside, it's clear liquid is sweet, and sterile and composed of unique chemicals such as sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, amino acids, cytokine, and phyto-hormones. In general, young and slightly immature coconuts gathered from the coconut tree after they reach about 5-7 months of age for the purpose of reaping its drink.
Coconut water is now one of the fastest growing beverages in the United States and United Kingdom.”
There is a well wind blowing across the United States and Europe that should do us much good. That is if we avail ourselves the opportunities it brings to our threshold. This wind interestingly provides us an antidote to our tight grip on crude oil. It has to do with the unexpected spike in the demand for coconut fruits in the West that has so far outstripped global supply.
Coconut water is now one of the fastest growing beverages in the United States andUnited Kingdom. This is not unconnected to its great taste, nutritional value and natural hydration qualities. There are currently 250 companies that have a beverage with coconut water content.

இளநீர்
-
Young Fruit Water

Reports reveal that in the U.S., coconut water in the drinks category is already worth over $350million while in the U.K.; it is projected to be worth £100million by 2014. New Nutrition Business in its 2012 report disclosed that the number of coconut water beverage launched in Europe quintupled from seven to 36 brands between 2009 and 2011.
Back home in Nigeria, the demand for coconut has surpassed the production capacity for decades. While national consumption is on the increase, the production of coconut appears to be limited to the south-west with the local demand being hinged on its oil and nuts.
With growing population and coconuts mostly consumed in the northern part of the country, Nigeria has resorted to importing the fruit from neighbouring countries such as Benin, Togo and Ghana. At present, the Nigerian market absorbs over 50 per cent of coconuts got from Ghana.
One cannot but ponder on this craze that is steadily wearing on the world. In some cultures, the coconut tree is widely referred to as the tree of life. They see it as having an overwhelming versatility where each element of the tree is useful in some facet; be it the oil extracted from it acting as natural skin and hair moisturisers or the fruit being a great source of potassium higher than that of banana.
Various claimed benefits attend the coconut water which includes high potassiumthat helps prevent strokes, heart attack, hydration and hangovers. It is also acclaimed to help prevent cancers and heart diseases and aids slimming, help raises metabolism, boosts immune system and reduces heartburn. The benefits are non-stop.

The foregoing provides a background into why coconut fruits are increasingly becoming the favourite overseas. Athletes and fitness fanatics are copiously downing coconut water for its high potassium and mineral content that promises fast, natural hydration

Granted that coconut with its derivatives have become a highly sought-after commodity in the international market and it can be produced in Nigeria, there is only but one option available to Nigeria- she should as a necessity and urgency begin strategics on means to adequately reap from this God’s gift to humanity.
We can’t continue singing about our desire to diversify from a mono-economy and not make the most of opportunities like this when they present themselves. Many like the former education minister, Oby Ezekwesili, have wished that our oil reserve dried up so that the country can become interested in other sectors. I don’t see that as the stimuli we really need.
With this stupendous desire for coconut- which can be comfortably produced in Nigeria- government doesn’t need another inducement to jolt her from the extreme reliance on oil. The high demand for coconut is enough for government to be distracted from crude oil by venturing into a new vista that will be greatly rewarding to the country.

Found throughout the tropic and subtropic area, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Coconuts are different from any other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" and when immature they are known as tender-nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk. The endosperm is initially in its nuclear phase suspended within the coconut water. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the walls of the coconut, becoming the edible coconut "flesh".[4] When dried, the coconut flesh is called copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.

தென்னை மட்டை
In countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Brazil, known as the world’s largest producers of coconut, their governments sensed an economic opening in coconut and have since acted swiftly. They had initiated and are now implementing policies that would encourage and boost local production of the produce.
We can take a cue from them on this- after all Malaysia is today the world’s largest producer of palm trees as a result of the lessons they took from us in the 70s. Nature has made it incumbent on us to grow coconuts by granting us the land type and climatic condition that support its production. We should then  not disappoint nature by not taking to the plough.

COCONUT  AND COCONUT OIL

                                                   தேங்காய்-தேங்கெண்ணை

It’s a rich moisturizer, it’s cheap, it’s versatile, it’s antimicrobial, anti fungal  and antibacterial, has a decent amount of antioxidants, and it smells like baked goods.

  Coconut fibres-தேங்காய்நார்
 Coconut fiber which is considered as the natural fiber which is taken from the coconut husk and tanned and compressed into the bales. These coconut fibers are used for car seat fillers, rope, furniture cushion, rope, mats, rugs, mattresses and many other uses. It can also be personalized according to requisite client requirement. 
 

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

www.malaysianherbals.com-AlOE VERA-(54)குமரிச்செடி

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Aloevera Barbadensis



ALOE VERA-                                                                 குமரி -என்றும் இளமை

This plant has been recorded back to biblical times and is highly regarded as an all purpose herbal plant. The Aloe Vera plant does not come from the cactus but rather the lily family.

 குமரிச்செடி மிகுந்து காணப்பட்டதால் குமரிக்கண்டம் என்ற காரணப்பெயரை நம் முன்னோர்கள் சூட்டியுள்ளனர்.




Long polysaccharides in the North African aloe vera

plant could help reduce illness in HIV/AIDS and 

cancer patients. At the same time the cactus plant

 may also help reduce poverty in some of Bali's dry

 areas.
Bali is currently producing around 15,000 liters of aloe vera weekly for the European market, according to Floris Schaaper, an engineer with aloe vera producer, PT Alove Bali. That volume, harvested on 80 hectares, is expected to grow to more than 30,000 liters weekly in the coming months.
"By 2012 the plan is to have 500 hectares of aloe vera producing 20 million liters per year. That can be processed at this existing factory," said Schaaper of the PT Alove Bali factory in Blahbatuh, Gianyar. The modern factory will be formally opened April 5.
Employing more than 200 people across its aloe vera farming and processing system, Alove Bali is having a positive economic impact on the families of Blahbatuh and other areas under aloe vera cultivation.
"We are planting in areas where rice is no longer a viable farm crop due to a dropping water table. The move to aloe vera means farmers can continue to work their lands," said PT Alove Bali coordinator, Made Karang. He points out aloe vera provides farmers an income three times higher than rice grown on marginal lands.
"PT ALove Bali was started by Hank and Peter Zwanenberg from Holland some years ago. They built a villa here in 1999 and saw the local people did not have jobs. They wanted to find a way to create employment. They saw the employment situation grow even worse after the Bali bomb in 2002," explains Karang of the beginnings of aloe vera in Bali.
With rice fields in their immediate areas lying fallow due to lack of water, the Zwanenberg's turned their attention to low water farming. A worldwide shortage of aloe vera and strong European markets suggested the hardy cactus could be the ideal product that would offer sustainable farming into the future for Bali's dry land farmers.
"That was three years ago. We now have 30 hectares under lease and a further 50 hectares being farmed cooperatively," said Karang.
The cooperative farming system offers farmers the opportunity to shift from marginal rice growing in areas of low water to aloe vera farming at no cost.
"We give farmers the initial aloe vera plants and they are also paid four million rupiah per hectare every six months to maintain the plants until they are old enough to harvest. From that time on they are paid per kilo," said Karang.
Schaaper adds that once aloe vera has been planted it reproduces so new plants are always available for farmers. Only the five to nine largest leaves of aloe vera are harvested and the plant continues to produce for 10 to 15 years. Farmers can plant out young aloe vera taken from mature plants so they have a continuous crop.
With increased production, PT Alove Bali hopes to export into the lucrative Asian market, as well as other countries such as the United States. Aloe vera is used worldwide in cosmetics, shampoos, health drinks and medical products. Its use in treating burns is also well documented.
According to Schaaper, it is the very long Alverose polysaccharides in aloe vera that are doing the miracle work. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates made up of many monosaccharides, however, only aloe vera has the Alverose polysaccharide that is believed to stimulate the reproduction of white blood cells. White blood cells are responsible for healthy immune systems and wound healing.
Recent scientific studies on rats established a 40 percent faster wound healing rate using aloe vera. Netherlands-based aloe vera company Bioclin is currently running aloe vera trials on HIV and oral wound patients in South Africa.



Aloe Vera - Historical Myth or a Modern Day Miracle?
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AAAloe Vera has been well documented throughout the centuries, from very early transcripts on the walls of Egyptian  temples  dating back as far as 4000 BC to the current library of information we have available today.  The Egyptians called it the 'plant of immortality' and it is rumoured that the two famous Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra both used it in their beauty regimes.  Alexander the Great is reputed to have conquered the African island of Socotra in order to use the Aloe Vera plants that grew there to heal his wounded soldiers and Mohatma Ghandi was reputed to take Aloe Vera to help him through his frequent 'fasts' .     During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period, the medicinal use of Aloe Vera spread across  Egypt, India, Africa, China, the Americas and into Europe and it is reported that famous explorers Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo both wrote about the "miracle plant".  Indeed it is largely down to the highly educated Jesuit priests of Spain who were well versed in the Greek and Roman texts surrounding this plant who could take the credit for introducing Aloe Vera to the "New World".

There are many different types of Aloe (over 400 in fact) but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller ( Aloe Vera ) that is the most intriguing and the one with medicinal and healing properties.   Today Aloe Vera is widely used as both a general tonic as well as countless medicinal benefits ranging from treatment for burns, inflammation, skin disorders, immune system disorders and countless others.  Aloe is not just for humans either - it works equally well on animals and as you can see from the second picture  beside  of the Royal Veterinary College's coat of arms, a Centaur, the mythical healer is showing carrying a shield bearing the Aloe plant.

 KUMARI
 In Sanskrit,it means a young, virgin girl. As the herb imparts youthful energy and enhances femitity, hence the name. It also mitigates kumari roga i.e. menstrual disorders, so it might have been named as kumari. It has various synonyms like ghrta kumari – its juice being sticky like ghee (clarified butter), dirghapatrika has big and long leaves, bahupatra – it has many leaves etc. It is one of the herbs mentioned in all ancient Sanskrit scriptures. It has been categorized as bhedaniya – accumulation – breaking herb, pliharogaghna – ameliorating diseases of the spleen and netrarogaghna – alleviating ophthalmic diseases.
The plant grows in a semi wild state throughout the drier parts of India. It is also cultivated. The plant grows 30-60 cm in height, is a perennial, with short stem. The leaves large, 40-50 cm long, thick, fleshy, lance shaped, with sharp apex and spiny margins. The color of leaves varies from species to species – grey to bright green, chocolate brown to black.
The botanical name of kumari is Aloe indica and it belongs to family Liliaceae. It is also called as Aloe barbadensis. The pulp contains a glucoside, barbaloin, isobarbaloin and barbalion. The leaves also contain glucose, galactose, galacturonic acid, mannose, aloesin and volatile and non volatile oils, gum, resin, emodin, chrysophanic acid .

Properties


The whole plant kumari is bitter and sweet in taste, seed in the post digestive effect and cold in potency. It alleviates all the three doshas. It possesses heavy, unctuous and oily attributes.
The dried pulp of leaves or solid extract – elio, is bitter in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and hot in potency. It possesses dry, hot and light attributes. It is a good rejuvenative and contract uterine muscles.

Uses

The fresh gel or its solid extract is used for medicinal purpose. The plant is equally salutary both, internally as well as externally. In inflammatory conditions, associated with pain and swelling, the external application of its leaf extract, bola-elio, is very beneficial. It is also an effective remedy for chronic wounds, as it possesses vranasodhana wound cleansing and vranaropana wound healing properties. To alleviate the swelling and pain due to enlarged spleen, the pulp with turmeric powder, applied externally is said to be helpful. The pulp when applied on forehead relieves the headache. It is also useful in conjunctivitis, for which the strained juice of the pulp is instilled in the eyes. In inflamed piles, when the pulp is applied externally, it alleviates the pain and imparts a cooling effect. Kumari pulp gives excellent results in burns and scalds. The bola effectively reduces haematoma, the accumulation of blood, due to traumatic injuries. Now days, it is one of the popular cosmetic aids as it moisturizes, heals and regenerates the skin.
Internally, kumari is useful in number of diseases. In small doses, it is an effective appetizer, digestant, liver stimulant and in large doses, it works as an anthelmintic and purgative. It is very useful a blood purifier, hence valuable in skin diseases and jaundice due to viral hepatitis. It is one of the common most used ingredients in the liver preparations, available in the market. As it increases the urine output, it works well in urinary problems. The nasya nasal drops, of its leaf juice with ghee are a traditional panacea for jaundice. The combination of its leaf juice, vasa juice, pippali and clove powder when given with honey, relieves the cough very effectively. In splenic diseases, the leaf juice is beneficial when given with turmeric powder. Abdominal pain due to flatulence is instantly relieved with kumari ghrta – medicated ghee of kumari, and marica powder.
In ascites and anasarca, the leaf juice works well with Arogyavardhini. The enlarged spleen due to anemia, chronic fever of catabolic disorders like meda ksaya, rakta ksaya is effectively treated with leaf juice and turmeric powder. To correct anemia, the leaf juice is better given with iron preparations like loha or mandura bhasmas. The leaf extract – bola is one of the popular medicines for menstrual disorders, as it contracts the uterine musculature and improves the endometrial circulation. It is contraindicated in pregnancy for the risk of abortion.

Kumari is a valuable herb in the treatment of tumors also. It is an effective medicament in the skin disease like scabies, erysipelas, multiple abscesses etc. For such, the leaf juice with turmeric powder is a very effective combination to combat infection and pus formation. The pulp can be used as an aphrodisiac, to augment seminal fluids. As a domestic remedy, the leaf juice is used in various ailments. It is used to increase the appetite and cleanse the bowels, with honey. It alleviates pitta when taken with rock candy. With a pinchful of salt, the juice of roasted leaf is effective in cough and bronchial asthma. It is used as a general tonic, with sugar. Kumari combines well with manjistha and haridra (turmeric) in treating raktapitta, in epistaxis and bleeding per rectum.

Caution


  Aloesin and aloesone isolated,malic, citric and tartaric acids from leaves The jelly from leaves composed of four partially acetylated glucomannans which differ in their glucose to mannose ratio and acetyl content.

The leaf extract – bola should be used in small dosage for short duration. In large doses, it causes pain and bleeding per rectum. It is strictly contra-indicated in pregnancy.

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

www.malaysianherbals.com-Mimosa Pudica --(53)தொட்டால் சிணுங்கி


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Sensitive Plant (Mimosa pudica)
                                                                   தொட்டால் சிணுங்கி

தொட்டால் சிணுங்கியின் மகிமையை அறிவீர்களா நீங்கள்?
  Mimosa pudica is native to South America and Central America. It has been introduced to many other regions and is regarded as an invasive species in TanzaniaSouth Asia and South East Asia and many Pacific Islands. It is regarded as invasive in parts of Australia and is a declared weed in the Northern Territory, and Western Australia although not naturalized there. Control is recommended in Queensland. It has also been introduced to NigeriaSeychellesMauritius and East Asia but is not regarded as invasive in those places. In the United States of America, it grows in FloridaHawaiiVirginiaMarylandPuerto RicoTexas, and the Virgin Islands.

Non-English common names in other European language/culture areas include não-me-toque (touch-me-not), sensitiva (sensitive) or dormideira(roughly "sleeper") in the Portuguese language (with the former being more common in PortugalAfrica and Rio de Janeiro, the middle in São Paulo city and the Southern capitals and the latter elsewhere in Brazil), while in Spanish it varies in names such as morí-viví or moriviví (Dominican Republic and other Spanish-speaking Caribbean islands, roughly translating to "I died, I lived") and dormilona (Costa Rica and elsewhere inCentral America, roughly translating to "sleepyhead", as in Brazil).
In Austronesia names vary more: in the Philippines it is called makahiya, with maka- meaning "quite" or "tendency to be", and -hiya meaning "shy", or "shyness"),[citation needed] while in Tonga for example it is known as mateloi (false death),being putri malu (shy princess) in Indonesiaand pokok semalu (shy plant) in Malaysia.
In South Asia many unrelated names are also common. In Urdu it is known as chhui-mui ("that which dies upon touch"). In Bengali, the shrub is known as lojjaboti ("the bashful girl"). In Malayalam it is called thottavaadi ("wilts by touch"). In Marathi it is called lazalu ("shy"). In Tamil, it is called thotta-siningi ("acts when touched") and in Kannada, it is known as muttidare muni (ಮುಟ್ಟಿದರೆ ಮುನಿ ಗಿಡ; "angered by touch"). In Burmese(Myanmar) it is called hti ka yoan, which means "crumbles when touched"
http://youtu.be/vNItcjXiT30



This plant will bring hours of entertainment to kids of any age. The Sensitive Plant actually moves when you touch its leaves. The fine leaflets open in the daylight, yet when touched will collapse downward. Give them an hour or so and up they’ll come again. As plants mature, they form small pink puffs of bloom adding an extra benefit to this unique species. What a perfect way to introduce children to the world of plants.

This plant is a member of the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae). The leaves are "compound," composed of leaflets surrounding a central spine. When touched, the leaflets close in around the central spine. What if any is the evolutionary advantage to this characteristic?


Mimosa pudica was first formally described by Carl Linnaeusin Species Plantarum in 1753.[5] The species epithet,pudica, is Latin for "bashful" or "shrinking", alluding to its shrinking reaction to contact.
hemical constituents

Mimosa pudica contains the toxic alkaloid mimosine, which has been found to also have antiproliferative and apoptotic effects.The extracts of Mimosa pudica immobilize the filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis in less than one hour. Aqueous extracts of the roots of the plant have shown significant neutralizing effects in the lethality of the venom of the monocled cobra (Naja Kaouthia). It appears to inhibit the myotoxicity and enzyme activity of cobra venom. Thanks Vikipedia    

 தொட்டால் சிணுங்கி தமிழ் நாட்டில் எல்லா இடங்களிலும் ஈரப்பதமான இடங்களில் தானே வளரக் கூடியது. இது தரையில் படர்ந்து 5 அடி வரை படரும் அதே சமயம் இது 60 செ.மீ. உயரமும் இருக்கும். சிறு செடி வகையைச் சார்ந்தது. ஆற்று ஓரங்களில் அதிகமாகக் காணப்படும். சிறு முட்கள் இருக்கும். இலைகள் ஜோடியாக எதிர் அடுக்கில் கூட்டாக இருக்கும். ஒவ்வொரு கிளைக்கும் சுமார் 10-25 எதிர் அடுக்கு இலைகள் உள் நோக்கி இருக்கும். இலைகள் இடையில் ஊதா நிறப் பூக்கள் மேலே சிவப்பாகவும் அடியில் ஊதா நிறத்திலும் இருக்கும் பூவில் குச்சிகள் ஒரு செ.மீ. நீளத்தில் சிலிர்த்துள்ளது போல் இருக்கும். காய்கள் 2.5 மி.மி. நீளத்தில் இருக்கும். பூக்கள் காற்று மூலமும் பூச்சிகள் மூலமும் மகரந்தச் சேர்க்கை ஏற்படும். இதன் இலைகள் மாலைக்கு மேல் உட்பக்கமாக மூடிக்கொள்ளும். சூரிய உதையத்தின் போது மறுபடியும் தெளிந்து கொள்ளும். மனிதர்கள் தொட்டாலும், அதிர்வு ஏற்பட்டாலும் தொடர்ச்சியாக இலைகள் மூடிக்கொள்ளும். இதனை ஆங்கிலத்தில் ‘Touch-me-not’ என்றும் சொல்வார்கள். மூடிய இலைகள் பகலில் அரை மணி நேரம் கடந்து விரிந்து கொள்ளும். இதன் பூர்வீகம் வட அமரிக்கா
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