What Is Mucuna Pruriens?

Mucuna pruriens is a legume native to the tropics. It has numerous common names including cowhage and picapica. It grows as a climbing vine and can reach lengths in excess of 50 feet. It is a flowering plant that produces seeds that are alternately referred to as velvet beans. It survives as both a wild and cultivated plant depending on the region. It has both medicinal and nonmedicinal uses.

Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease is what is referred to as a movement disorder. The cause is generally attributed to a decrease in the number of cells in the brain producing dopamine (a neurotransmitter) that results in the progressive loss of motor control. Mucuna pruriens contains a substance called L-Dopa, a precursor to dopamine. L-Dopa can be used to help treat (though not cure) Parkinson's disease. According to a study performed in the UK, Mucuna pruriens seed powder was compared with standard L-Dopa treatments of Parkinson's disease with favorable results.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a metabolic condition. Its causes can be traced to genetic and environmental factors. The main feature of the condition is hyperglycemia, which is a blood sugar level that is extremely high. There are a number of symptoms including weight loss, thirst, excessive hunger and frequent urination. A study conducted in India on the hypoglycemic effect of Mucuna pruriens seed extract on normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats suggests that a Mucuna pruriens extract may exert a hypoglycemic effect, essentially lowering blood sugar, which would make it a potential treatment for diabetes.

Sexual Function

• Mucuna pruriens may also have some potential in improving sexual function. Sexual function is affected, in part, by the amount of dopamine in the brain. Higher levels of dopamine can result in a more active libido. Dopamine can also trigger the pituitary gland, which regulates a number of hormones into producing higher levels of testosterone. Additional testosterone can result in a more significant degree of genital arousal in men.

Other Uses

• Mucuna pruriens has a number of additional uses and benefits. The Mucuna pruriens beans can be roasted and brewed to produce an alternative to coffee. There is some evidence to show that Mucuna pruriens can have an antioxidant effect in the body. The potential increase in testosterone caused by Mucuna pruriens has led some to conclude that it may function as an HGH stimulator in the body and it has started to be promoted to the bodybuilding community. It can also be used as a component for feed to be given to herd animals.

Considerations

• Due to the fact that Mucuna pruriens contains neurotransmitter precursors as well as serotonin (which is a neurotransmitter), it could very well be considered a psychoactive substance. Effectively, it alters brain chemistry and exerts an effect on the nervous system. There is little to no research on the long-term impact that Mucuna pruriens has on the brain and the nervous system. As such, it is important to weigh the benefits against the uncertain impact before taking Mucuna pruriens.