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Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract also produces many medium-sized red swollen bumps along with the itching.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has agricultural and horticultural value and is used in herbalism.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is derived from the seeds of the Mucuna pruriens plant, commonly known as velvet bean.
CAS Number: 90064-10-1
EINECS Number: 290-071-6
Synonyms:Mucuna Pruriens Powder Extract, 90064-10-1, Mucuna pruriens, ext.Mucuna Pruriens Powder Extract;Mucuna pruriens, ext.;Cowhageextract;mucuna pruriens seed extract;Lathyrus pubescens bean powder extract
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is a tropical legume native to Africa and tropical Asia and widely naturalized and cultivated.
Its English common names include monkey tamarind, velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowage, cowitch, lacuna bean, and Lyon bean.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is notorious for the extreme itchiness it produces on contact, particularly with the young foliage and the seed pods.
This tropical legume is native to Africa and Asia and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is valued for its rich content of L-DOPA (levodopa), a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, along with other bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and proteins.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is a creeping vine that can be found growing in India, the Caribbean and tropical areas of Africa.
This tropical plant is also often referred to as “velvet bean” due to the velvet-like coating of hairs that cover its seedpods.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract’s because all it takes is touching its seed pods or young foliage to experience a severe itching and irritation of your skin.
In addition to velvet bean, other common names for this unique plant include velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowhage, cowitch, lacuna bean and Lyon bean.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract also has two Sanskrit names, Atmagupta, which means “secret self” and Kapikacchu, which means “one starts itching like a monkey.”
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract of the Mucuna pruriens plant are known to naturally contain levodopa, also known as L-dopa, at high concentrations of four to seven percent.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract also contains hallucinogenic tryptamines, phenols and tannins.
Its substantial L-dopa content is the main reason why it’s used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract, commonly known as velvet bean, is a legume that is widespread in tropical regions of the world, including Asia, Africa, and South America.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has a wide range of traditional uses in Ayurvedic medicine, including as an aphrodisiac, as a treatment for nervous system disorders, and as an antidote against snake venom.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract produces seed-containing pods covered in fine hairs that can cause severe itching upon skin contact.
Because the seeds of Mucuna pruriens are rich in levodopa (L-DOPA), a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine, the plant has gained attention as a potential treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Limited research has explored the potential aphrodisiac, antivenom, and antidiabetic properties of Mucuna pruriens.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is an annual climbing shrub with long vines that can reach over 15 metres (50 feet) in length.
When the plant is young, it is almost completely covered with fuzzy hairs, but when older, it is almost completely free of hairs.
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 pointy.
In young specimens, both sides of the leaves have hairs.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is a legume that grows in the tropics, including India and the Bahamas.
Its seed is used in Ayurvedic medicine.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract, a medication that is used to treat Parkinson disease.
But most L-dopa is broken down in the body before it ever reaches the brain unless special chemicals are taken with it.
These chemicals are available as prescription medications, but are not present in cowhage.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is a plant/plant extract used in some OTC (over-the-counter) products.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is not an approved drug.
A natural compound that is a direct precursor to dopamine, a key neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, motivation, motor control, and several bodily functions.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract contains various antioxidant compounds that help neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract, such as mucunine and prurienine, contribute to the extract's effects on the nervous system and overall health.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extracts are also rich in proteins, making them a valuable dietary supplement.
The most well-known use of Mucuna pruriens seed extract is for managing Parkinson’s disease.
The L-DOPA content helps replenish dopamine levels in the brain, which can improve motor function and reduce symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and poor muscle control.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is often used as a natural alternative to synthetic levodopa medications.
By increasing dopamine levels, the extract may help improve mood and combat depression.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is sometimes used as a natural mood enhancer, particularly for people dealing with low dopamine levels.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may help enhance focus, memory, and cognitive function by supporting healthy dopamine levels in the brain.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body cope with physical and mental stress.
By balancing neurotransmitter levels and reducing cortisol (the stress hormone), the extract can alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may promote relaxation and reduce tension, making it useful for people experiencing chronic stress or anxiety-related disorders.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has been traditionally used to enhance libido and improve sexual performance in both men and women.
It is believed to stimulate the production of dopamine, which plays a role in sexual desire and arousal.
Studies have shown that the extract can improve sperm count and motility in men, making it useful for enhancing fertility.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has also been shown to improve semen quality in men with stress-related infertility.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has been linked to an increase in testosterone levels, which may support overall male reproductive health, muscle development, and energy levels.
By promoting healthy testosterone levels and improving overall vitality, Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract can enhance stamina, endurance, and physical performance.
The antioxidants in Mucuna pruriens help neutralize free radicals, protecting cells from oxidative damage, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract also has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce inflammation in the body, alleviating symptoms of conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Preliminary research suggests that Mucuna pruriens may help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
This can benefit people with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition.
Thanks to its ability to increase dopamine and testosterone levels, Mucuna pruriens is popular in the fitness community for promoting muscle growth and improving workout performance.
By reducing fatigue and boosting endurance, Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may aid in faster recovery post-exercise and help improve overall physical performance.
The antioxidants in the extract protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can slow down the aging process, reduce wrinkles, and promote healthy, youthful skin.
Some traditional uses of Mucuna pruriens include its application for promoting wound healing and skin repair.
Since Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract increases dopamine levels, excessive use can lead to symptoms of dopamine overload, such as headaches, nausea, irritability, and, in severe cases, hallucinations or delusions.
In rare cases, long-term use of L-DOPA supplements can lead to involuntary muscle movements, a condition known as tardive dyskinesia.
People taking synthetic L-DOPA for Parkinson’s should consult their healthcare provider before using Mucuna pruriens, as it may interfere with the effectiveness of their medications or cause excessive dopamine levels.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may interact with antidepressants, particularly those that affect dopamine or serotonin levels.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is important to consult a doctor before combining it with antidepressant medications.
Some people may experience gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps, especially when taking high doses of the extract.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract overconsumption may also lead to diarrhea or other digestive issues.
There is limited research on the safety of Mucuna pruriens during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is recommended to avoid using the extract during these periods unless specifically advised by a healthcare provider.
People with a known allergy to plants in the legume family (such as peanuts, soy, or beans) should avoid Mucuna pruriens due to the risk of allergic reactions, which could include itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
Uses Of Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract:
In many parts of the world, M. pruriens is used as an important forage, fallow and green manure crop.
Since the plant is a legume, it fixes nitrogen and fertilizes soil.
In Indonesia, particularly Java, the beans are eaten and widely known as 'Benguk'.
The beans can also be fermented to form a food similar to tempeh and known as Benguk tempe or 'tempe Benguk'.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is a widespread fodder plant in the tropics.
To that end, the whole plant is fed to animals as silage, dried hay or dried seeds.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract also has use in the countries of Benin and Vietnam as a biological control for problematic Imperata cylindrica grass.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is said to not be invasive outside its cultivated area.
However, the plant is invasive within conservation areas of South Florida, where it frequently invades disturbed land and rockland hammock edge habitats.
Cooked fresh shoots or beans can also be eaten.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract contains relatively high (3–7% dry weight) levels of l-DOPA, which some people are sensitive to; it can cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, arrhythmias, and hypotension.
Up to 88% of the l-DOPA can be extracted from M. pruriens by boiling and soaking for approximately 48 hours.
The efficiency of the process can be slightly improved by using approximately 0.25–0.50% sodium bicarbonate.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is commonly used to manage Parkinson’s disease.
The L-DOPA in the extract helps increase dopamine levels in the brain, which alleviates symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and impaired motor control.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract serves as a natural alternative to synthetic levodopa medications used for Parkinson's treatment, providing a more gradual and sustainable increase in dopamine levels.
By increasing dopamine levels, Mucuna pruriens can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is a neurotransmitter linked to feelings of pleasure, motivation, and emotional well-being.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract help the body cope with stress, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may enhance focus, mental clarity, and cognitive performance by supporting healthy neurotransmitter balance.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is known to increase sexual desire and improve sexual performance by boosting dopamine levels, which are linked to sexual arousal and motivation.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has been shown to improve sperm count, motility, and overall semen quality, making it beneficial for men dealing with stress-related infertility.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has been linked to increased testosterone levels in men, which can improve reproductive health, energy levels, and physical performance.
In women, it may help balance hormones and improve reproductive health, although this effect is less studied.
By providing a natural source of L-DOPA, Mucuna pruriens supports the production of dopamine, improving memory, learning, and overall brain function.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract in Mucuna pruriens help protect neurons from oxidative damage, which may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Increased dopamine and testosterone levels help promote muscle growth, making Mucuna pruriens popular among athletes and bodybuilders.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract can improve physical stamina and aid in recovery after intense exercise by reducing fatigue and enhancing muscle regeneration.
As an adaptogen, Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract helps the body adapt to stress, reducing mental fatigue and promoting relaxation.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may also reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone), further helping to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract contains potent antioxidants that neutralize free radicals, protecting cells from oxidative damage and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation in the body, which can alleviate symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis and support overall health.
Some studies suggest that Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making it potentially useful for people with type 2 diabetes.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has been traditionally used to improve male fertility by enhancing sperm count, motility, and overall semen quality, particularly in men affected Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract’s ability to boost testosterone levels also contributes to improved reproductive health and vitality.
The antioxidants in Mucuna pruriens help protect the skin from free radical damage, promoting healthier skin and reducing signs of aging.
Traditionally, Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract has been used to promote the healing of wounds and skin conditions.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract can support digestion by reducing inflammation and promoting the overall health of the digestive system.
Its anti-inflammatory properties may help alleviate conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
By improving metabolism and energy levels, Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may help support weight management and fat loss, particularly in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Dopamine plays a role in eye health, and by increasing dopamine levels, Mucuna pruriens may support visual acuity and overall eye health.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is used as a tonic for the nervous system, promoting overall vitality and strength.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract is traditionally used as an aphrodisiac to enhance sexual desire and improve sexual function.
Safety Profile Of Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract:
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract should be used cautiously in people taking synthetic L-DOPA medications for Parkinson’s disease.
Combining the two can cause excessive dopamine levels, leading to complications like dyskinesia (involuntary movements) or heightened side effects of the medications.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may interact with antidepressant medications, particularly those affecting dopamine or serotonin levels (such as MAO inhibitors or SSRIs), leading to adverse reactions.
Mucuna Pruriens Seed extract may lower blood pressure slightly, so those on antihypertensive medications should monitor for hypotension (low blood pressure).
