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The seeds of velvet bean are high in protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and minerals. They are also rich in novel alkaloids, saponins, and sterols. The seeds of all mucuna species contain a high concentration of L-dopa; velvet bean seeds contain 7-10% L-dopa. Concentrations of serotonin also have been found in the pod, leaf and fruit. The stinging hairs of the seed pods contain the phytochemical mucunain, which is responsible for causing skin irritation and itch.

 The main plant chemicals found in velvet bean include: alkaloids, alkylamines, arachidic acid, behenic acid, betacarboline, beta-sitosterol, bufotenine, cystine, dopamine, fatty acids, flavones, galactose d, gallic acid, genistein, glutamic acid, glutathione, glycine, histidine, hydroxygenistein, 5-hydroxytryptamine, isoleucine, l-dopa, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lysine, mannose d, methionine, 6-methoxyharman, mucunadine, mucunain, mucunine, myristic acid, niacin, nicotine, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, phenylalanine, prurienidine, prurienine, riboflavin, saponins, serine, serotonin, stearic acid, stizolamine, threonine, trypsin, tryptamine, tyrosine, valine, and vernolic acid.

 Mucuna pruriens, one of the common Ayurvedice herbs, is also known as velvet bean or cowhage. Mucuna pruriens contains L-Dopa. Mucuna has been used for generations in India for Parkinson's disease.L-dopa is used to make dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. Studies in rats show mucuna pruriens supplements influence dopamine content in the cortex of the brain. Mucuna pruriens has antioxidant properties. How well mucuna pruriens works in Parkinson's disease is just beginning to be evaluated in research studies and no major conclusions can be made at this time. Local names for mucuna pruriens are cowhage or cowage, velvet bean, and Nescafe.

Composition of Mucuna Pruriens.

 Mucuna pruriensThe seeds of velvet bean are high in protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and minerals. They are also rich in novel alkaloids, saponins, and sterols. The seeds of all mucuna species contain a high concentration of L-dopa; velvet bean seeds contain 7-10% L-dopa. Concentrations of serotonin also have been found in the pod, leaf and fruit. The stinging hairs of the seed pods contain the phytochemical mucunain, which is responsible for causing skin irritation and itch.

 Nutritional analysis reveals mucuna pruriens contains crude protein ranged from 20-29 %, crude lipid 6-7%, total dietary fibre 8-10%, ash 3% and carbohydrates 50-60%. Several other compounds are found, including alkaloids.

 Mucuna pruriens principle constituents are L-DOPA and the bioactive alkaloids mucunine, mucunadine, mucuadinine, prurienine and nicotine as well as beta-sitosterol, glutathione, lecithin, oils, venolic and gallic acids. L-DOPA is a neurotransmitter precursor, an effective drug for relief in Parkinson's disease. The seed is a prophylactic against oligospermia and is useful in increasing sperm count, ovulation in women, etc.

 Mucuna pruriens is a good aphrodisiac and also a nervine tonic. It is used in the treatment of spermatorrhea and diseases of the genitourinary system.

 Mucuna pruriens Root is useful in diseases of the nervous system, such as facial paralysis, hemiplegia etc. A strong infusion of the root sweetened with honey is given in cholera morbus. Root is also useful for delirium in fevers and when powdered and made into a paste it is applied in dropsy, a piece of the root being also applied to the wrist and ankle. Root is also made into an ointment which is used for elephantiasis. Seed is said to absorb scorpion poison when applied to the part stung.

 The root is used as diuretic, tonic and stimulant. It is recommended for the nervous system, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, delirium in fevers, and dropsy, in decoction. The infusion of the pods is also good for dropsy. The hairs of the pods are given for threadworms.

 The seeds are considered astringent, aphrodisiac, tonic, nervine and nutritive. They are given in powder or in decoction in cases of leukorrhea, spermatorrhea, menstrual disorders etc.

 Mucuna pruriens is reported to contain tryptamine alkaloids, specifically 5MeoDMT, Dimethyltryptamine and related alkaloids, in all parts of the plant. Also reported to contain L-dopa in seeds, a dopamine precursor utilised in parkinsons disease.

 Mucuna pruriensThe main plant chemicals found in velvet bean include: alkaloids, alkylamines, arachidic acid, behenic acid, betacarboline, beta-sitosterol, bufotenine, cystine, dopamine, fatty acids, flavones, galactose d, gallic acid, genistein, glutamic acid, glutathione, glycine, histidine, hydroxygenistein, 5-hydroxytryptamine, isoleucine, l-dopa, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, lysine, mannose d, methionine, 6-methoxyharman, mucunadine, mucunain, mucunine, myristic acid, niacin, nicotine, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, phenylalanine, prurienidine, prurienine, riboflavin, saponins, serine, serotonin, stearic acid, stizolamine, threonine, trypsin, tryptamine, tyrosine, valine, and vernolic acid.

 Other Contents:

 The seeds of velvet bean are high in protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fiber, and minerals. They are also rich in novel alkaloids, saponins, and sterols. The seeds of all mucuna species contain a high concentration of L-dopa; velvet bean seeds contain 7-10% L-dopa. Concentrations of serotonin also have been found in the pod, leaf and fruit. The stinging hairs of the seed pods contain the phytochemical mucunain, which is responsible for causing skin irritation and itch.

Mucuna Pruriens Tribal and Herbal Medicine Uses.

Mucuna pruriens  Roots, according to the Ayurveda, are bitter, thermogenic, anthelmintic, diuretic, emollient, stimulant, aphrodisiac, purgative, febrifuge, tonic. It is considered useful to relieve constipation, nephropathy, strangury, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, elephantiasis, dropsy, neuropathy, consumption, ulcers, helminthiasis, fever, and delirum (Lindley 1985; Ramnath 1992; Warrier 1995; Shalini 1997; Upadhyay 2000).

 Leaves are popular potherbs and are used as a fodder crop. Leaves are useful in ulcers, inflammation, cephalagia and general debility.

 The trichomes of pods contain mucunain and serotonin and as a result pod causes itching, blisters, and dermatitis. Pods are also used as vegetable. Pod hairs (trichomes) are used as anthelmintic. Hairs mixed with honey have been used as vermifuge. As ointment prepared with hairs act as a local stimulant and mild vesicant. (Shastry and Kavathekar 1990; Chandra 1993; Shastry 1995) Beside medicinal properties, Mucuna fixes nitrogen and is as a green manure and covercrop.

 Seeds contain L-DoPA (4-3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine), glutathione, lecithin, gallic acid, glycosides, nicotine, prurenine, prurenidine, dark brown viscous oil. It is a source of minerals (Rastogi and Mehrotra 1991a,b; Singh et al. 1995). According to Ayurveda, seeds are astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, alexipharmic and tonic.

 The seed pods, about 4 inch long, are covered with very small velvety hairs that can be very painful on contact with the skin. The seeds resemble the eye of a bull; they are often collected and made into lovely necklaces and bracelets.

 The seeds of nescafe in the pods are rich in amino acid L dopa, precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine.It is applied to patients suffering from Parkinson disease.

 L Dopa stimulates human growth hormone released by the pituitary gland. Mucuna pruriens increases testosterone levels.

Mucuna Pruriens Herbal Properties and Actions in brief.

Mucuna pruriens  If you are looking for a reliable place to find high quality Mucuna Pruriens, look no further. Here at mdidea.com we have a great selection of Mucuna for you to choose from.

 Main Actions: L-Dopa alternative,increases libido,reduces spasms,lowers blood sugar,lowers blood pressure,increases urination

 Other Actions: relieves pain,reduces inflammation,kills parasites,calms nerves,reduces fever,lowers cholesterol

 Body Building: Mucuna can be a very beneficial supplement for bodybuilders. It is high in the amino acid L-Dopa which helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

 HGH (Human Growth Hormone) boosting: Another benefit of Mucuna is that it can increase the production of HGH (Human Growth Hormone). An increase in HGH levels can increase the body's ability to build lean muscle and break down fat.

 Diuretic effects: Mucuna has also been shown to have diuretic effects.

 Testosterone levels: It increases tissue resiliency and improves coordination. Mucuna can also support healthy testosterone levels, which in turn can lead to increased muscle mass and strength.

 Aphrodisiac: In history, Mucuna has been used as an aphrodisiac. It is still used to increase libido in both men and women.

 Parkinson's disease and others: The Mucuna plant has many traditional and medicinal usage including treating abdominal pain, cholera, diabetes, infertility, Parkinson's disease, scorpion bites, snakebites, and toothache. Because of the large amount of Levo-dopa in the seed it is used for treating Parkinson's disease. It has been used as a food crop for grazing animals as well as an alternative food source.

 In Central America, velvet beans have been roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute for decades; its goes by the common name of "nescafe" in these regions, as well as in Brazil, for this reason. It is still grown as a food crop by the Ketchi indigenous people in Guatemala; the bean is cooked as a vegetable. In Brazil the seed has been used internally for Parkinson's disease, edema, impotence, intestinal gas, and worms. It is considered a diuretic, nerve tonic, and aphrodisiac. Externally it is applied to ulcers. Velvet bean has a long history of use in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, where it is used for worms, dysentery, diarrhea, snakebite, sexual debility, cough, tuberculosis, impotence, rheumatic disorders, muscular pain, sterility, gout, menstrual disorders, diabetes, and cancer. In India it is considered an aphrodisiac, menstrual promoter, uterine stimulant, nerve tonic, diuretic, and blood purifier