Tepezcohuite: The Story of Mimosa Hostilis in Mexico
In Mexico, the tree that English-speaking dyers call Mimosa hostilis has another name: tepezcohuite. The bark has been part of everyday craft and household use in the south of the country for generations, and it is now a familiar ingredient on Mexican cosmetic shelves.
Where it grows
Tepezcohuite grows wild in the dry tropical lowlands of southern Mexico, especially in the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca, and its range continues south into Central America. It is a hardy, thorny tree that thrives on poor soils and is often one of the first plants to return to cleared or burnt land.
What the name means
The word tepezcohuite comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, and is usually explained as meaning something close to tree of the hill. The tree’s botanical name is Mimosa tenuiflora.
Traditional uses of the bark
- Tanning and dyeing – the tannin-rich bark has long been used to tan hides and to colour cloth and leather in red-brown and purple tones.
- Wood – the dense, durable wood is used for fence posts, tool handles, firewood and charcoal.
- Household preparations – powdered bark has a long history in Mexican folk tradition and is the origin of today’s tepezcohuite soaps and creams.
Tepezcohuite today
Tepezcohuite became widely known across Mexico in the 1980s, and soaps, creams and shampoos featuring it are now sold throughout the country. Outside Mexico, the bark is best known among natural dyers and soap makers.
Harvesting with care
Because the bark comes from the root, careless harvesting can kill the tree. Responsible harvesters take only part of the root system from mature trees and leave the tree to regrow, which Mimosa tenuiflora does readily.
Want to work with the bark yourself? Start with What is Mimosa hostilis root bark? or browse our whole root bark, shredded root bark and root bark powder.
Common questions
How do you pronounce tepezcohuite?
Roughly teh-pes-ko-WEE-teh.
Is tepezcohuite the same as Mimosa hostilis?
Yes. Tepezcohuite is the common Mexican name for the tree Mimosa tenuiflora, also known as Mimosa hostilis.
Where in Mexico does it grow?
Mainly in the dry lowlands of the southern states of Chiapas and Oaxaca.
What is tepezcohuite soap?
It is soap coloured and formulated with the powdered bark. It is widely sold in Mexico, and it is easy to make at home.
