Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna Pruriens is a tropical legume native to Africa and tropical Asia and widely naturalized and cultivated. Its English common names include velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowage, cowitch, lacuna bean, and Lyon bean. The plant is notorious for the extreme itchiness it can produce on contact, particularly with the young foliage and the seed pods. It has value in agricultural and horticultural use and has a range of medicinal properties.

Description

Mucuna Pruriens is a climbing shrub that can grow up to 15 m in length. The plant is covered in hair, especially the young shoots. The leaves are tripinnate, ovate, reverse ovate, rhombus-shaped or widely ovate. The sides of the leaves are often heavily grooved and the tips are sharp.

Distribution and habitat

Mucuna Pruriens is native to southern China and eastern India. It is widely naturalized throughout the tropics, including the Caribbean and the southern United States.

Uses

Mucuna Pruriens has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over two thousand years. It has been used to treat a variety of conditions including Parkinson's disease, depression, and anxiety. It is also used as a nootropic, aphrodisiac, and male fertility enhancer.

Pharmacology

The seeds of Mucuna Pruriens are a rich source of L-DOPA, a direct precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. It also contains minor amounts of serotonin, 5-HTP, and nicotine, as well as DMT and bufotenin.

Safety

While Mucuna Pruriens has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, it is not without potential side effects. These can include nausea, abdominal bloating, and insomnia. It is recommended that individuals consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

See also

• Ayurvedic medicine
• Parkinson's disease
• L-DOPA

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