Mimosa hostilis is a thorny, fast-growing tree native to northeastern Brazil and parts of southern Mexico, best known for its psychoactive root bark and traditional use in indigenous spiritual ceremonies. The name “Mimosa hostilis” is actually an outdated synonym. The accepted botanical name is Mimosa tenuiflora, though the older name remains far more common in everyday conversation and online commerce. The tree belongs to the legume family and goes by several regional names: “jurema preta” (black jurema) in Brazil and “tepezcohuite” in Mexico.
The Plant Itself
Mimosa tenuiflora is a hardy, drought-resistant tree that thrives in semi-arid climates. It grows up to about 8 meters tall, with fern-like compound leaves, small white or cream-colored flower clusters, and a dark, rough bark. The tree colonizes disturbed land quickly, making it common in the scrubby caatinga biome of northeastern Brazil. Its deep root system helps it survive in poor, dry soils where many other species struggle.
The two parts of the tree that attract the most human interest are the root bark and the stem bark. Each has a distinct chemical profile and a different history of use, which is why the plant shows up in conversations ranging from indigenous spirituality to skincare to natural dye-making.
Chemical Composition of the Root Bark
The root bark of Mimosa tenuiflora contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine, commonly known as DMT, at concentrations ranging from about 0.5% to 1.7% by weight. That makes it one of the more concentrated natural sources of DMT among known plants. The stem bark also contains DMT, but at lower levels, roughly 0.3%.
Beyond DMT, the plant produces a broad spectrum of other compounds. Researchers have identified tannins (particularly condensed tannins built from procyanidin and prodelphinidin units), flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and various phenolic compounds across the bark, leaves, and stems. The tannin content is notably high: studies measuring the leaves and stems found total tannin levels of around 55 to 66 milligrams per gram of plant material. These tannins are largely responsible for the deep reddish-purple color the bark produces when soaked in water, which is why the root bark is popular as a natural fabric dye.
Indigenous Ceremonial Use
Long before Portuguese colonization, indigenous tribes in northeastern Brazil used the bark to prepare a ritually important psychoactive drink. Different groups have their own names for it. The Truka and Kambiwa peoples call it “jurema wine” or simply “jurema.” The Pankararu refer to it as “ajucá,” while the Atikum and Kambiwa also use the term “anjucá.”
Preparation typically involves shaving the root or stem bark, then boiling the shavings in water for an extended period in a clay pot made specifically for the occasion. The liquid is cooked down until it reaches a thick consistency with a dark color. Among the Kariri-Xoko, the bark can only be seen or touched by individuals who have been initiated by the tribe’s elder wisemen, and sexual taboos surround the preparation process. Nearly all indigenous jurema rituals also involve tobacco and candles. Today, these ceremonies are commonly practiced during a festival called Toré, where participants honor mythical ancestors, worship religious entities, and sing traditional songs.
Why DMT Alone Isn’t Orally Active
One of the more interesting pharmacological details about this plant is that DMT on its own is nearly inactive when swallowed. Your gut and liver contain an enzyme called monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) that rapidly breaks DMT down before it can reach your brain. This is called first-pass metabolism.
To become orally active, DMT needs to be combined with something that blocks that enzyme. In traditional ayahuasca from the Amazon, the DMT source is paired with a vine containing beta-carboline alkaloids, which act as natural MAO-A inhibitors. Mimosa hostilis root bark has become one of the most common DMT sources in what are called “ayahuasca analog” preparations, typically combined with seeds from Syrian rue (Peganum harmala) as the enzyme-blocking component. When inhaled as vapor or administered intravenously, DMT bypasses the gut entirely and is potently psychoactive on its own.
Tepezcohuite in Skincare
In Mexico, the stem bark of Mimosa tenuiflora has a separate reputation under the name “tepezcohuite.” It gained widespread attention in the 1980s after being used on burn victims following major gas explosions in Mexico City. Since then, tepezcohuite extracts have appeared in creams, soaps, and powders marketed for wound healing, anti-aging, and skin regeneration.
The scientific evidence behind these claims is thin. One controlled animal study compared sterile tepezcohuite bark powder against a standard antibiotic ointment and simple saline for wound healing. The result: no statistically significant difference among the three treatments. The same study flagged potentially liver-toxic effects and concluded that the bark should not be used on humans. The tannins and flavonoids in the bark do have general antioxidant and mild antimicrobial properties, which likely explains some of the traditional wound-care reputation, but clinical proof of meaningful benefit over basic wound care is lacking.
Other Practical Uses
Outside of ceremonial and skincare contexts, the tree serves several practical roles. The root bark produces a rich purple-to-reddish dye that is used for coloring textiles and in soap making. Because the tree fixes nitrogen in the soil and grows aggressively on degraded land, it is also valued for reforestation and erosion control in semi-arid regions. The wood is used locally for fence posts and firewood.
Legal Status
In the United States, Mimosa hostilis root bark is legal to buy, sell, and possess as a raw plant material. The DEA does not classify the bark itself as a controlled substance, and no state currently prohibits its sale for purposes like natural dyeing, soap making, or botanical research. No permits or licenses are required for these uses.
The legal picture shifts when it comes to what you do with the bark. DMT is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. Purchasing root bark with the intent to extract or concentrate DMT crosses into illegal territory. The distinction is between possessing a plant that happens to contain a controlled compound and actively isolating that compound. In practice, this means vendors sell the bark openly for craft and cosmetic purposes, but extraction for psychoactive use carries serious legal risk.
Legal status varies internationally. Several European countries have restricted or banned the sale of Mimosa hostilis root bark specifically because of its DMT content, while others treat it similarly to the U.S. approach. If you’re outside the United States, the rules in your country may differ significantly.
Safety Concerns
Animal research has raised notable toxicity concerns. When pregnant goats were fed the green foliage of Mimosa tenuiflora, their offspring showed birth defects including cleft lip, eye abnormalities, and intestinal malformations. A separate study examining the seeds found skeletal malformations in 40 out of 101 animal fetuses, including scoliosis, cleft palate, and abnormal bone development. These findings come from animal models and involved parts of the plant (leaves, seeds) rather than root bark preparations, but they signal that the plant contains compounds with real toxicological potential beyond DMT alone.
For oral jurema or ayahuasca-analog preparations, the risks associated with DMT and MAO inhibitor combinations include dangerous interactions with common medications (particularly antidepressants), severe nausea and vomiting, and intense psychological distress. The high tannin content of the bark can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation on its own.