The use of plants for the medical treatment of illness has a long history in worldwide folk medicine. In this context, the scientific community is interested in discovering vegetable extracts that have distinct biological activities- such as antimicrobials, antioxidants and antiseptics. Among the plants currently utilized in traditional medicine, there is a species of the Mimosaceae family that can be used against several pathogens. This study aims to review the current literature on Mimosa spp. as it relates to antimicrobial and antiseptic activities. Data collection was made on the following data basis: Scielo, Medline (via Pubmed), Lilacs and Scinfider, on May and July/2016. Descriptors were selecte on both bases: “Descritores em Ciencias da Saude” (DECs) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). For searching strategies, “Mimosa AND Anti-Infective Agents” and “Mimosa AND Anti-Infective Agents, Local”, in English, Portuguese and Spanish, were used. 97 articles were found total; of those, 84 discuss antimicrobial activity and 13 discuss antiseptic activity. Then, only 16 articles followed inclusion criteria. However, 6 of those articles were found in more than one data base, which lead to a 7 articles sample. The outcome shows a proven antibacterial activity of the genus Mimosa, but antiseptic activity is not evident. Thus, further research needed to focus on that.