Mucuna Pruriens Herbal Plant Medicinal Treatment and Aphrodisiac

Mucuna pruriens( Atmagupta,Velvet bean, Cowhage, Cowitch, Juckbohne, Kapikachu, Picapica and Yerepe) tropical herbal plant known for medicinal remedies, especially used as an aphrodisiac. The leaves of the plant are sometimes smoked. 1 The herb grows in tropical climates including Africa, Caribbean and India (Throughout the plains in India found in bushes, hedges and low forests. 7).2 Mucuna pruriens is annual (sometime biannual 3) plant with vines that extend over thirty feet long. 4 "When the plant is young, it is almost completely covered with fuzzy hairs (called trichomes. 8), but when older, it is almost completely free of hairs." The leaves of the plant appear grooved and pointed at the tip. 1 Herb visually described as composed of three leaflets. 8 "The stems of the leaflets are two or three millimeters long". 1 Flowers of the Mucuna pruriens are pale or white and grow up to 32 centimeters long. Pods of the plant appear approximately S-Shaped with a circumference of thin layered of white to light brown hairs and inside contain up to seven seeds (one to 1.9 centimeters long) that appear black, creamy, white, beige, grey or brown. 3 When the hairs on the pods are dislodged cause painful irritation to the skin. 4 The herb plant flowers after 2 - 3 months after planting the seeds. Mucuna pruriends grows healthy in tropical and subtropical regions in humid climates with average rainfall but not tolerant to extreme rain fall. The plant can sustain itself in some degree of drought. The herbal plant grows more abundantly in phosphorus and lime acid soils. As a result of the toxic compounds of the plant few insect problems. "Mucuna usually dies off 45 -60 days after producing seed. 3

The seeds of the Mucuna pruriens serve as a substitute for coffee beans and medicinal treatment for illnesses. Also, the hairs that cover the seeds are used for agricultural purposes. 4 The shoots or beans (seeds) of the Mucuna pruriens soaked at 30 minutes to 48 hours in water that is changed several times which removes the toxic compound levodopa (amino acid) harmful to animals and people in the preparation of using this substitute for make coffee called "Nescate" ("not to be confused with the commercial brand".). Dating back to the Ayurvedic Indian medicine tradition the concentration of levodopa (In the seeds) contain dopamine which serves as a neurotransmitter to treat Parkinson's disease, however no long-term study is available to confirm the efficacy and tolerability. A dosage of 15 grams of ground Mucuna pruriens seeds mixed with cow's milk increase the libido or used as an aphrodisiac in both men and women, due to the dopamine property (Dopamine increases the production of testosterone leading to increased sex drive and improved sexual performance. 5). 1 According to a study conducted by scientists at the Department of Psychiatry of King George's Medical University in India reported Cowhage ("velvet bean") proved affective combat the anti-oxidant defense system of infertile men under stress and improve the quality of their sperm. 14

Mucuna pruriens help treat erectile dysfunction, treat depression, nervous disorders, improve mental cognizance, and improve Parkinsonian symptoms (According to a clinical study the herbal plant dopamine seeds reduced spasms associated to Parkinson's disease. 4 Published in Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry confirmed during a double-blind test mucuna pruriens improved the long term management of Parkinson's disease. 6). 4 Cowhage plant in traditional and medicinal usage treats diabetes, infertility, abdominal pain, cholera, scorpion bites, snakebites, and toothache. 8 "Mucuna also contains pruieninin which may help to slow the heart rate, decrease blood pressure and stimulate the intestines." 13 Roots of the herb plant help regulate menstrual cycle. 9 The herb is beneficial to bodybuilders by increasing the amount of lean muscle and breaking down fat as result of increasing human growth hormones and testosterone level. "Cowhage has also been used for fevers, edema, and elephantiasis". The bristles or hairs covering the seeds serve as an agricultural pesticide against several types of worms (except tape-worms). "The herb is being investigated as a possible treatment for AIDS." 4

Taking Mucuna Pruriens may cause nausea and a sensation of abdominal distention side effects. 13

When purchasing (Online or retail store) Mucuna pruiens should not contain any added sugar, starch, sodium, artificial colors and preservatives. Advisable the herb kept in a cool dry place. Mucana pruiens tablets recommended usage one in the morning with a glass of water, and one capsule in the evening. Best results occur when taken daily. Advisable consult a health professional or physician before using the herbal product. Mucuna pruiens is not advisable for use when pregnant or nursing. "Do not take this product if taking MAO inhibitors (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors class of antidepressant drugs 12)". 5

"Leading U.S. companies that market Mucuna includes Physicians Formula (http://www.clubnatural.com/mucuna1.html) and Solaray (http://www.nextag.com/74151544p/prices-html)." Mucuna pruiens is imported from India. 10 The herb is sold as a dietary supplement. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated Macuna pruiens, and not recommended the herb for intended use to diagnose, treat cure or prevent any disease. 11

References:

1.) Mucuna pruriens - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucuna_pruriens

2.) Mucuna Pruriens - http://www.mentested.com/MucunaPruriens.html?b=16074

3.) Mucuna pruriens - http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/Mucuna_pruriens.htm

4.) Cowhage - http://www.mucuna.org/

5.) Mucuna Pruriens - http://www.americannutrition.com/store/Mucuna.html

6.) Mucuna herb - Nervine tonic - http://www.herbalprovider.com/mucuna.html

7.) Kapikachu or Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) - http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/mucuna.html

8.) Cowage, Cowitch (Velvet Bean) - http://www.bouncingbearbotanicals.com/cowage-cowitch-p-283.html

9.) KAPIKACCHU (Mucuna pruriens - http://www.herbalcureindia.com/herbs/mucuna-pruriens.htm

10.) Mucuma - A Medicinal Marvel - http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine/mucuna/mucuna_in_market.htm

11.) Nature's Nervic Tonic (Mucuna Pruriens) - http://www.ayurvedicherbsdirect.com/mucuna-himalaya-p-91.html

12.) Monoamine oxidase inhibitor - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAO_inhibitor

13.) Mucuna Pruriens - https://www.webvitamins.com/nutrient.aspx?ID=48

14.) Sex drive booster bean improves sperm quality, cuts stress infertile men - http://chinesemedicinenews.com/2007/12/24/sex-drive-booster-bean-can-improve-sperm-quality-cut-stress-in-infertile-men/