Mucana Pruriens (Velvet Bean) 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Mucana Pruriens (Velvet Bean) – 100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($9.99), 25 g ($6.99)

Benefits
Nutrients
Crude protein                24–31.44%
Crude carbohydrate     42.79–64.88%
Crude lipid                       4.1–14.39%
Crude fiber                       5.3–11.5%
Ash                                     2.9–5.5%
Potassium                        0.806–2.790%
Sodium                             4 mg/10 g
Calcium                           10–90 mg/10 g
Phosphorus                    50 mg/10 g
Magnesium                      9–50 mg/10 g
Iron                                   1.5 mg/10 g
Copper                             0.4 mg/10 g
Zinc                                   1.5 mg/10 g

Parkinson’s Disease
Mucuna pruriens contains high levels of naturally occurring L-dopa, which is the precursor to dopamine. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the brain that is necessary for not only coordinating proper body movements, but also things like learning, increasing motivation and regulating moods.

When someone has Parkinson’s disease, nerve cells that produce dopamine in the brain slowly break down or die. So people with the disease have lowered levels of dopamine, which causes the abnormal brain activity that leads to Parkinson’s symptoms. Western medicine uses a synthetic form of L-dopa to boost dopamine levels in Parkinson’s patients while Ayurvedic medicine is known to use Mucuna pruriens to treat Parkinson’s by increasing dopamine levels.

Three open label studies looked at the effects of mean dosages of 45 grams per day of Mucuna seed powder extract (which contains about 1500 milligrams of L-dopa) on between 18 and 60 patients demonstrated “significant improvements” in Parkinson’s symptoms for 12 to 20 weeks. One of the studies even suggested that patients the mucuna extract may be more tolerable than standard L-dopa preparations.

Male Infertility and Sexual Function
While it’s unclear if it will boost testosterone in fertile men, it does appear to boost levels for males struggling with infertility. A study of 75 men undergoing infertility screening compared to a control group of 75 healthy fertile men, study reveals that treatment with velvet bean significantly improved testosterone, luteinizing hormone, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels in infertile men. In addition, sperm count and sperm motility were “significantly recovered” in the infertile men after treatment.

Sexual dysfunction and low libido can often be a problem for men who have diabetes. A study published in 2012 looked at the effects of M. pruriens on male sexual behaviour and sperm parameters in long-term hyperglycemic male rats. The researchers found that animal subjects with diabetes who were given M. pruriens seed extract “showed significant improvement in sexual behaviour, libido and potency, sperm parameters, DSP, and hormonal levels” when compared to the diabetic-induced subjects not given any of the extract.

Depression and Mood
Having a dopamine deficiency has been implicated in some cases of depression. A 2014 study looked at the antidepressant effects of velvet bean seeds using various experimental models of depression using animal subjects. Overall, the study concludes that Mucana Pruriens seeds (at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) exhibit antidepressant effects, which the researchers believe likely have to do with velvet bean’s known ability to increase dopamine levels.

A 2013 study evaluated the antidepressant action of Mucuna pruriens seeds and found that Mucuna pruriens doesn’t only affect dopamine. The animal subjects administered the Mucuna pruriens seed extract for two weeks also exhibited increases in two more key neurotransmitters that affect mood: serotonin and norepinephrine.

This is a significant research finding since clinical evidence has shown that people with depression typically have disturbances in serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the central nervous system.

Stress
A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that not only does velvet bean improve semen quality in infertile men, but it also appears to reduce stress, which can contribute to infertility.

This 2010 study looked at 60 subjects undergoing infertility screening who were also suffering from psychological stress and elevated cortisol levels. The male subjects took five grams of M. pruriens seed powder by mouth daily for three months. The study results demonstrate that velvet bean can help to reactivate the antioxidant defence system of infertile men and improve sperm quality while also improving stress management.

Libido
Mucuna pruriens has been used as a traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine since the ancient Vedic times (1500–1000 BC). In Ayurveda, Mucuna pruriens is commonly used as a strong yet natural aphrodisiac. In addition, it’s used to treat nervous disorders and arthritis.

Narcotic Addiction
Mucuna pruriens is actually sometimes recommended to help fight addiction — specifically for people who are addicted to legal narcotics such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxycontin, methadone as well as illegal narcotics such as heroin. An interesting fact about the seeds of Mucuna pruriens is that they have been used throughout history as a traditional medical treatment for snake venom poisoning.

Botanical Name: Mucuna pruriens
English: Cowhage, Cowitch, Mucuna Black Seed, Coucha
Also, known as: Kapikacchu, Markai, Kandura, Sukasımbı, Kapiprabha, Aalkushee, Alkusa, Kaucha, Kavach, Kevanch, Kaunch, Khujanee, Nasukunnee, Nasuganni, Nayısonanguballi, Shoriyanam, Naykkorana, Naykkuran, Khajkuhilee, Baikhujnee Aalkushee, Kavanch, Punaik. – Kalee, Punaikkalee, Punaippidukkam, Piliyadugu, Pillee adugu, Kaunch, Aatmaguptaa, Rshabhi, Adhigandhaa, Ajadaaa, Kacchuraa, Laangulı, Rshyaproktaa, Svaguptaa, Shyaamguptaa, Markati, Kanduraa, Kevaanch, Shuukashimbi, Velvet Beans, Velvet Beans Seed.
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated & wild
Parts Used: Black Seed

General Information:
Mucuna pruriens is the Latin name for this specific seed that grows all over India. It is mostly harvested in tropical regions of India. Moreover, it can be also found in tropical regions of Africa and the west Indians countries. An herbaceous twining annual found wild almost all over the country and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Seed ovoid, slightly laterally compressed, with a persistent oblong, funicular hilum, dark brown with spots; usually 1.2-1.8 cm long, 0.8-1.2 cm wide, hard, smooth to touch, not easily breakable; odour, not distinct, taste, sweetish-bitter. There are many names for Mucuna pruriens refer to a velvet coating or velvet beans of hairs that cover its seed pods and that, if touched, can cause severe itching and irritation of the skin. Mucuna pruriens is well known by two Sanskrit names, Kapikacchu, which means “one starts itching like a monkey” and Atmagupta, which means “secret self,” and hints at the therapeutic value of the seed concealed within the allergenic seedpod. There are many different names in different languages around the world. In English, the common name for this plant is Cowhage or Couch beej (Seed)We offer Mucuna pruriens as Kapikacchu. Mucuna pruriens has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over two thousand years. There are traditional uses for the root and the trichomes but it is the seed of Mucuna pruriens that is most often employed therapeutically There are actually two varieties of seed one is black and the other one is white.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.