Homesteading - Mimosa Tree

The Mimosa tree, also known as the silk tree, is a small deciduous tree with its fern like lacey leaves and pink pompom flowers. The young leaves are edible if cooked and can be used in teas and also the blossoms are edible. I will be trying out some of these this season in some of our yaupon tea. Mimosa tea is sold in many health food stores as a sleep remedy.

The Mimosa tree has numerous herbal and medical applications ranging from mood enhancers, treating burns, arthritis, respiratory ailments and cough, skin conditions, and immune boosters are just a few of the uses. The bark holds extremely high amounts of antioxidant and astringent tannins which helps stop bleeding, reduces infections and helps reform healthy skin tissues. Most usages are from the bark of the tree being shaved and dried and used in tincture and capsules. It has even been used by herbalist to help treat depression and has shown success in treating several cancer cell lines

I have also read about Mimosa being a good friction wood for any survivalist interested in adding this tree into a food forest. It also grows fairly quickly compared to larger hardwood trees even though it does not get as large.