Mucuna Pruriens

Source

Originally native to Africa and the tropical parts of China, where it was used as a green vegetable crop, its medicinal uses date back to 1500 BC. Mucuna pruriens was used in traditional Indian medicine as well as tribal medicine for various treatments, including snakebites. It is now widespread in tropical and subtropical regions including Africa, the Americas and the Pacific Islands. It has also been used as a coffee substitute (after roasting and grinding) in Mexico and Guatemala.

Benefits

Recent studies have shown positive impact on brain health and even possibly Parkinson’s Disease. The reported success of mucuna pruriens comes from its natural active compounds – one of which is levodopa or L-dopa. L-dopa and the rather significant antioxidant properties of mucuna pruriens combine to increase levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter in the brain associated with regulating mood and cognition while helping defend the brain against the effects of oxidative stress from free radicals. It has also been shown to help manage stress and to improve semen quality in men. The effect of increased dopamine production has also been linked to:

• Cognitive control, memory, problem solving and planning
• Motor control – coordination of muscles and limbs
• Motivation
• Arousal
• Reinforcement – wanting and liking – desire and pleasure
• Reward – rewarding stimuli function as positive enforcers
• Increased muscle mass
• Increased force production

Mucuna pruriens are also a great supplement for people that desire to build muscle and/or increase testosterone. Mucuna contains natural human growth hormones that are reported to help weight lifters and anyone seeking an increase in testosterone. This is one reason that mucuna has been reported to increase libido.

Uses

Mucuna pruriens has a long history of use for mental health and has been used in natural medicine to manage stress levels and regulate mood. It was also used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The natural L-dopa contained within mucuna pruriens was even shown by one study to be twice as effective in helping with Parkinsonism as compared to synthetic L-dopa. It has also been used in traditional tribal medicine as both an aphrodisiac and to help with snake bites. A lot of these traditional uses are now understood as the relationship between L-dopa and the production of Dopamine became apparent. Dopamine is known to stimulate production of HGH (human growth hormone) and even boost testosterone in men. The results of these increases have been tied to improved libido, better fertility, generating more lean muscle mass and even slowing the signs of aging. It is a more recent discovery that mucuna pruriens is also used as a powerful antioxidant to manage free radicals within the body. It is also used to improve mood, depression, energy, focus, motivation, athletic performance, bodybuilding, arthritis and more.

Forms (delivery methods)

Mucuna pruriens is available in liquid, powder and capsules.

Side Effects

Mucuna pruriens are considered safe in normal dosages. High dosages may cause headaches and vomiting. People with high blood pressure should speak with a physician before taking mucuna pruriens.