Mimosa Hostilis Root Bark

Mimosa Hostilis Root Bark 

Mimosa Hostilis root bark (Mimosa tenuiflora Willd. Poir.) — commercially known as MHRB and traditionally as Jurema Preta — is one of the most documented species in the specialised ethnobotanical trade. At Natudyes we supply exclusively inner root bark in two processed forms: fine powder and finely shredded, both prepared from whole material within 48 hours of dispatch.

Origin and material selection

This batch of Mimosa Hostilis root bark originates from the sertão of Northeast Brazil (Bahia region), the historical range of the species and the standard provenance reference in the specialised botanical market. Harvesting is carried out artisanally, working the lateral root system at distance from the trunk — a method that allows bark extraction without felling the tree and supports multi-year harvesting cycles from the same specimens.

After harvesting, the outer bark layer is removed and the inner fibrous bark is selected. This fraction is distinguished from the outer layer by its darker reddish-brown coloration and its documented higher concentration of tryptamine alkaloids and phenolic compounds, as recorded in the phytochemical literature (Meckes-Lozoya et al., 1990; Camargo-Ricalde, 2000).

Material arrives at Natudyes as whole bark and is processed into fine powder or finely shredded within 48 hours prior to dispatch. Processing shortly before shipment minimises surface oxidation and uncontrolled moisture loss that accumulates in pre-ground material stored over weeks.

Common names and abbreviations for Mimosa Hostilis root bark

Mimosa tenuiflora root bark circulates under a wide range of names in botanical catalogs, ethnographic literature and the specialised trade. The most common:

• MHRB — Mimosa Hostilis Root Bark. Standard abbreviation in the ethnobotanical and research community.
• Jurema Preta — "Black Jurema" in Portuguese. The traditional name in Northeast Brazil, used in indigenous and syncretic ceremonial contexts.
• Jurema — Shortened form of Jurema Preta, widely used in Brazilian ethnobotanical literature.
• Tepezcohuite / Tepescohuite — Mexican regional name, derived from Nahuatl. Common in Mexican ethnobotany and traditional medicine literature.
• Black Jurema — English translation of Jurema Preta, used in international ethnobotanical catalogs.
• Carbonal — Regional name documented in parts of Brazil and Mexico.
• Mimosa Hostilis — Superseded taxonomic synonym, still the dominant commercial name globally.

Phytochemical profile

The root bark of Mimosa tenuiflora has been the subject of systematic phytochemical study since the late 1980s. The principal alkaloid documented in the inner root bark is N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), first reported in this species by Meckes-Lozoya et al. (1990) in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Additional compounds documented in the literature include tryptamine, yuremamine (a novel indole-alkaloid described by Vepsäläinen et al., 2005), tannins, saponins, and various flavonoids.

This information is provided as scientific reference data from published botanical literature. It does not constitute a use instruction or an indication of intended application.

Ethnobotanical context

Mimosa tenuiflora has been documented in traditional use across Northeast Brazil and Mexico under several regional names. Jurema Preta (Black Jurema) is the most common designation in the Brazilian sertão, where the species has held a central role in indigenous and syncretic ceremonial traditions for centuries. The ritual preparation known as Vinho de Jurema (Wine of Jurema) is documented in ethnographic records dating to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest described plant-based ceremonial preparations in South America.

In Mexico, the same species is known as Tepezcohuite — a name derived from Nahuatl (tepezcuítlatl), where it has been used in traditional topical applications documented in pre-Columbian medical texts. The species appears in the Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis (1552), the earliest known illustrated herbal of Mesoamerican medicine.

Available formats

You can buy Mimosa Hostilis root bark at Natudyes in two formats.

Both formats are processed from the same batch of whole inner root bark, differentiated only by degree of processing:

• Fine powder — uniform grind, homogeneous texture, suitable for preparations requiring consistent particle size.
• Finely shredded — coarser presentation that retains more of the fibrous structure and visual morphology of the bark. Preferred for botanical collection or where a less pulverised format is required.

Storage

Root bark is sensitive to moisture and temperature variation. To maintain appearance, texture and stability:

• Store in a well-sealed container, preferably airtight.
• Keep in a cool, dry location away from direct light.
• Avoid humidity, prolonged heat exposure and cross-contamination with other materials.

Frequently asked questions about Mimosa Hostilis root bark

What is the difference between Mimosa Hostilis and Mimosa tenuiflora?

They refer to the same species. Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. is the currently accepted taxonomic name in major botanical databases including Plants of the World Online and the Missouri Botanical Garden. Mimosa Hostilis is a synonym — formerly accepted, now superseded — that remains in widespread commercial and colloquial use. The abbreviation MHRB (Mimosa Hostilis Root Bark) is standard across the ethnobotanical trade regardless of which name is used. Both names describe the same plant; the difference is purely nomenclatural.

What is the difference between fine powder and finely shredded?

Fine powder is milled to a uniform, homogeneous texture. Finely shredded retains a coarser, fibrous structure that preserves the visual morphology of the bark material. Both are processed from the same source batch; the distinction is exclusively in the degree of mechanical processing. Neither format undergoes chemical treatment of any kind.

Why is the material processed 48 hours before dispatch rather than stored pre-ground?

Milling and shredding accelerate surface oxidation and alter the moisture balance of the material. Whole bark is significantly more stable during storage. By processing from whole material within 48 hours of each shipment, Natudyes avoids the quality degradation that accumulates in bark stored as powder over weeks or months. The result is a fresher product with better visual presentation and more stable characteristics at the time of receipt.

What does inner root bark mean, and why does it matter?

The root bark of Mimosa tenuiflora consists of two structurally distinct layers. The outer bark is the rough, grey-brown exterior layer. The inner bark (MHRB) is the fibrous interior layer, distinguished by its darker reddish-brown coloration. Phytochemical studies document a higher concentration of tryptamine alkaloids and phenolic compounds in this inner fraction (Meckes-Lozoya et al., 1990). Natudyes supplies exclusively inner root bark.

What is the legal status of Mimosa Hostilis root bark?

The plant material (Mimosa tenuiflora root bark) is not scheduled under the 1961 or 1971 UN Conventions. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and it is the buyer's responsibility to verify applicable regulations in their country of residence before placing an order. This product is available to buy as botanical collection and ethnobotanical research material exclusively.

References

Meckes-Lozoya, M. et al. (1990). N,N-dimethyltryptamine alkaloid in Mimosa tenuiflora bark. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 28(2), 183–193. — Camargo-Ricalde, S.L. (2000). Descripción, distribución, anatomía, composición química y usos de Mimosa tenuiflora (Fabaceae-Mimosoideae) en México. Revista de Biología Tropical, 48(4), 939–954. — Vepsäläinen, J.J. et al. (2005). Isolation and characterization of yuremamine, a new phytoindole. Planta Medica, 71(11), 1049–1053.