Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Mucuna
Species: pruriens
Synonyms: Carpopogon pruriens, Dolichos pruriens, Mucuna aterrima, M. atropurpurea, M. cochinchinensis, M. cyanosperma, M. deeringiana, M. esquirolii, M. prurita, M. utilis, Stizolobium aterrimum, S. deeringianum, S. pruriens, S. pruritum, S. niveum, Negretia pruriens
Common Names: velvet bean, mucuna, nescaf�, p� de mico, fava-coceira, cabeca-de-frade, cowage, cowhage, cow-itch, bengal bean, mauritius bean, itchy bean, krame, picapica, chiporro, buffalo bean
Parts Used: Seeds

From The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs:
Velvet bean is an annual climbing vine that grows 3-18 m in height. It is indigenous to tropical regions, especially Africa, India, and the West Indies. Its flowers are white to dark purple and hang in long clusters. The plant also produces clusters of pods which contain seeds known as mucuna beans. The seed pods are covered with reddish-orange hairs that are readily dislodged and can cause intense irritation to the skin. The species name "pruriens" (from the Latin, "itching sensation") refers to the results to be had from contact with the seed pod hairs.

TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USES

In Central America, velvet beans have been roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute for decades; its goes by the common name of "nescaf�" 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.

PLANT CHEMICALS

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.

BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCH

Velvet bean has demonstrated little toxicity; however, it has been documented in animal studies to cause birth defects and should not be used during pregnancy. Traditionally, velvet bean has been used as a nerve tonic for nervous system disorders. Due to the high concentration of L-dopa in the seeds, it has been studied for its possible use in Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than four million people worldwide. It is associated with progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in specific areas in the brain. Dopamine does not cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore cannot be used directly as a treatment. However, L-dopa (levodopa) does gain access to the brain-where it is converted to dopamine. There are two controversies surrounding side-effects of the current pharmaceutical supplementation of L-dopa. Over the long term, supplemented L-dopa appears to lose its effectiveness. A second area of controversy questions whether L-dopa is toxic to dopamine neurons; there is little evidence, though, to support this statement.

Velvet bean is now being considered as an alternative to the pharmaceutical medication levodopa. In one case study it was given to a Parkinson's patient for 12 years instead of the pharmaceutical L-dopa medication. It was found to slow the progression of Parkinson's symptoms (such as tremors, rigidity, slurring, drooling, and balance), and to have none of the side-effects of the current pharmaceutical L-dopa. Numerous in vivo studies also have been conducted in rats and humans. In one human study, the bean powder was given to 60 patients (26 previously treated with L-dopa and 34 had never taken L-dopa). There were statistically significant reductions of Parkinson's symptoms in all study subjects. In addition, a (2002) U.S. patent was awarded on Velvet bean citing its use "for the treatment of disorders of the nervous system, including Parkinson's disease."

Several in vivo studies have been conducted on the blood-sugar-lowering effect of Velvet bean. These studies all validate the traditional use of the plant for diabetes. An ethanol-water extract of the root, fruit, and seed dropped blood sugar levels in rats by more than 30%. At 200 mg an ethanol extract produced a 40% fall in blood glucose within one month, and a 51% reduction at four months. In other studies a decoction of the leaf reduced total cholesterol in rats; the seed had the same effect.

The root, fruit, leaf, and seed has shown significant in vivo antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and fever reducing activities in various clinical research with animals. Traditionally the seed has been used by indigenous peoples throughout the world for snakebite and several in vivo studies validate this traditional use. In rats, a water extract of the seed inhibited venom-induced blood and coagulation alterations, and reduced lethality of the venom. The antivenin effect of velvet bean is thought to be due to an immune mechanism, as proteins in the seed were documented to raise antibodies against the venom.

Velvet bean has a long history of traditional use in Brazil and India as an aphrodisiac. Clinical studies in India have validated that the plant does indeed have aphrodisiac activity. It also has reported with anabolic and growth hormone stimulant properties. The anabolic effect of the seed is due to its ability to increase testosterone. In 2002, a U.S. patent was filed on the use of velvet bean to stimulate the release of growth hormone in humans. Research cited in the patent indicated that the high levels of L-dopa in mucuna seed were converted to dopamine which stimulated the release of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. L-dopa and dopamine are also effective inhibitors of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland; increased levels are considered to cause erection failure in males. In one study, oral intake of the seeds in 56 human males was able to improve erection, duration of coitus, and post-coital satisfaction after only four weeks of treatment. The seed also has documented fertility promoting and sperm producing effects in human males (being able to improve sperm count and motility).

CURRENT PRACTICAL USES

Velvet Bean Plant Summary
Main Preparation Method: capsules or standardize extract
Main Actions (in order):
anti-Parkinson's, androgenic, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, anabolic

Main Uses:

for Parkinson's disease (contains natural L-dopa)
for impotency and erectile dysfunction
as an aphrodisiac and to increase testosterone
as a muscle builder and anabolic/androgenic aid to stimulate growth hormone
as a weight loss aid
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:
anabolic, androgenic, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson's, antispasmodic, antivenin, aphrodisiac, febrifuge (reduces fever), hormonal, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, immunomodulator, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:
antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), antiparasitic, cough suppressant, blood cleanser, carminative (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), menstrual stimulant, uterine stimulant, vermifuge (expels worms)

Cautions: It contains L-dopa and has androgenic and hypoglycemic activity. See further cautions in next chapter.

Velvet bean has been gaining in popularity over the last few years in the natural products market-especially the sports nutrition industry. With its documented ability to increase testosterone and stimulate growth hormone (thereby increasing muscle mass), several companies have launched new products using mucuna beans, including several which are standardized to the L-dopa content. It is also showing up as an ingredient in various weight loss, libido, brain/memory, anti-aging, and body builder formulas. Consumers should be aware however, altering the levels of brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin also affect many other hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals which keep the body in balance. The long-term impacts on healthy humans taking high levels of L-dopa are unclear and warrant further research. It is best to proceed with caution when taking mucuna extracts and to follow the labeled dosages. It is a powerful plant with many biological actions that should be respected. In other words. . . the belief system of some people taking herbals supplements of: "if some is good, more is better," does not apply with velvet bean.

Traditional Remedy: One half to one cup of a seed decoction twice daily. Alternatively 1-2 g twice daily of seed powder (tablets or capsules) daily can be substituted. For standardized extract products: follow the labeled dosages provided. See Traditional Herbal Remedies Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions.

Contraindications:

The seed may cause birth defects and has uterine stimulant activity. It should not be used during pregnancy.
Velvet bean has shown to lower blood sugar. Those with hypoglycemia or diabetes should only use Velvet bean under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Velvet bean is contraindicated in combination with M.A.O. inhibitors.
Velvet bean has androgenic activity, increasing testosterone levels. Persons with excessive androgen syndromes should avoid using Velvet bean.
Velvet bean inhibits prolactin. If you have a medical condition resulting in inadequate levels of prolactin in the body, do not use Velvet bean unless under the direction or your healthcare practitioner.
The seed contains high quantities of L-dopa. Levodopa is the pharmaceutical medication used for Parkinson's disease. Those with Parkinson's should only use velvet bean under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Drug Interactions:

May potentiate androgenic medications.
May potentiate insulin and antidiabetic medications.
Will potentiate levodopa medications.

Trevor,
It sounded great until I got to that part. For men maybe.....
Let us know if you try it...

Anyone else ever try it?

"Regular exercise increases both serotonin and dopamine."
http://borntoexplore.org/neurochem.htm

"...increasing amounts of coenzyme Q-10 also seemed to increase levels of a neurotransmitter known as dopamine."
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4021,00.html

For more info. on dopamine, go here:
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/aminobipolar.htm

and here:
http://www.lauralewis.com/asklaura.0700a.htm

Re: serotonin (a vasoconstrictor)...

Tryptophan (amino acid) + B6, B12, vitamin C, Ca, Mg, and zinc -> L tryptopan -> 5 HTP -> serotonin + N-acetlyserotonin and N-acetyltransferase (enzymes) -> melatonin (made in the pineal gland).

"Xanax has caused decreased production of melatonin at night." (Xanax follows much the same pathway as Depakote and GABA.)

5HTP has been recommended my son take. I am weighing the pro AND con...very, very carefully! His histamine is high and DHEA is off the charts (high) along with testosterone. Looks like he is trying to compensate other ways (many essential minerals are low - tested).

Whoa...so much to learn. The neurotransmitters are very complex.

Any Mucuna experts out there?

Here are a few abstracts I dug up.
Cheers!

Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens.
Phytother Res 2004 Sep;18(9):706-12 (ISSN: 0951-418X)
Manyam BV; Dhanasekaran M; Hare TA
Department of Neurology, Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX 76508, USA. [email protected].
Mucuna pruriens possesses significantly higher antiparkinson activity compared with levodopa in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. The present study evaluated the neurorestorative effect of Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the nigrostriatal tract of 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder significantly increased the brain mitochondrial complex-I activity but did not affect the total monoamine oxidase activity (in vitro). Unlike synthetic levodopa treatment, Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder treatment significantly restored the endogenous levodopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin content in the substantia nigra. Nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and coenzyme Q-10, that are shown to have a therapeutic benefit in Parkinson's disease, were present in the Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder. Earlier studies showed that Mucuna pruriens treatment controls the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This additional finding of a neurorestorative benefit by Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the degenerating dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra may be due to increased complex-I activity and the presence of NADH and coenzyme Q-10. [Copyright (c) 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.].

Preference of sheep for three forms of mucuna forage and the effect of supplementation with mucuna forage on the performance of sheep.
Trop Anim Health Prod 2004 Feb;36(2):145-56 (ISSN: 0049-4747)
Adjorlolo LK; Amaning-Kwarteng K; Fianu FK
Agricultural Research Station, University of Ghana, PO Box 38, Legon-Accra, Ghana, West Africa. [email protected].
Assessment of the preference of sheep for fresh, dried or ensiled forms of mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) forage was followed by investigations into the effect of supplementing straw-based diets with the forage. Four sheep were offered fresh, dried and ensiled forms of the forage in a cafeteria style to assess their preference. In the second experiment, 20 sheep were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, namely, alkali-treated straw only (M0), treated straw supplemented with mucuna forage at 0.3% (M10), 0.6% (M20) or 0.75% (M25) of body weight (approximately 10%, 20% and 25%, respectively, of the total dry matter intake). The daily feed intakes were determined and the sheep were weighed weekly for 10 weeks. The sheep showed a marked preference for fresh mucuna forage over either the dried or ensiled forms. The total dry matter intake increased by 15% and 21%, respectively, with M20 and M25. All the groups lost weight over the feeding period. However, only M0 gave weight losses during the second half of the feeding period. The feed conversion efficiency followed a trend similar to that for weight gains. M20 had the greatest effect on growth and feed conversion efficiency.

Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2004 Dec;75(12):1672-7 (ISSN: 0022-3050)
Katzenschlager R; Evans A; Manson A; Patsalos PN; Ratnaraj N; Watt H; Timmermann L; Van der Giessen R; Lees AJ
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
BACKGROUND: The seed powder of the leguminous plant, Mucuna pruriens has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine for diseases including parkinsonism. We have assessed the clinical effects and levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacokinetics following two different doses of mucuna preparation and compared them with standard L-dopa/carbidopa (LD/CD). METHODS: Eight Parkinson's disease patients with a short duration L-dopa response and on period dyskinesias completed a randomised, controlled, double blind crossover trial. Patients were challenged with single doses of 200/50 mg LD/CD, and 15 and 30 g of mucuna preparation in randomised order at weekly intervals. L-dopa pharmacokinetics were determined, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and tapping speed were obtained at baseline and repeatedly during the 4 h following drug ingestion. Dyskinesias were assessed using modified AIMS and Goetz scales. RESULTS: Compared with standard LD/CD, the 30 g mucuna preparation led to a considerably faster onset of effect (34.6 v 68.5 min; p = 0.021), reflected in shorter latencies to peak L-dopa plasma concentrations. Mean on time was 21.9% (37 min) longer with 30 g mucuna than with LD/CD (p = 0.021); peak L-dopa plasma concentrations were 110% higher and the area under the plasma concentration v time curve (area under curve) was 165.3% larger (p = 0.012). No significant differences in dyskinesias or tolerability occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid onset of action and longer on time without concomitant increase in dyskinesias on mucuna seed powder formulation suggest that this natural source of L-dopa might possess advantages over conventional L-dopa preparations in the long term management of PD. Assessment of long term efficacy and tolerability in a randomised, controlled study is warranted.

Effects of Mucuna pruriens extract on activation of prothrombin by Echis carinatus venom.
J Ethnopharmacol 2001 May;75(2-3):175-80 (ISSN: 0378-8741)
Guerranti R; Aguiyi JC; Errico E; Pagani R; Marinello E
Institute of Biochemistry and Enzymology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro, 53100, Siena, Italy. [email protected].
Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC has long been used as a medicinal plant by traditional healers. The validity of the claims made for this plant has also been tested scientifically. Some of its properties are probably linked to high concentrations of dopa since it is useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The antisnake properties of an extract of Mucuna pruriens' seeds (MP101UJ) in vivo were recently demonstrated and one is now investigating its biochemical mechanism. Echis carinatus venom (EV) contains a mixture of proteins that affect the coagulative cascade, causing severe bleeding and haemorrhage. Here the effect of an extract of MP101UJ in prothrombin activation by EV in vitro by clotting and chromogenic assay is studied. An increase in procoagulant activity was found. This could explain the protective effect in vivo.

Effects of crude extracts of Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) and Carica papaya (Caricaceae) against the protozoan fish parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.
Parasitol Res 2004 Mar;92(5):361-6 (ISSN: 0932-0113)
Ekanem AP; Obiekezie A; Kloas W; Knopf K
Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
The ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is among the most pathogenic parasites of fish maintained in captivity. In the present study, the effects of the crude methanolic extract of leaves of Mucuna pruriens and the petroleum-ether extract of seeds of Carica papaya against I. multifiliis were investigated under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) infected with the parasites were immersed for 72 h in baths with M. pruriens extract, and for 96 h in baths with C. papaya extract. There was a 90% reduction in numbers of I. multifiliis on fish after treatment in baths of each plant extract at 200 mg l(-1 )compared to untreated controls. Consequently, parasite-induced fish mortality was reduced significantly. A complete interruption of trophont recruitment was achieved by immersion in the M. pruriens extract. In vitro tests led to a 100% mortality of I. multifiliis in 150 mg/l M. pruriens extract, and in 200 mg/l of C. papaya extract after 6 h. Although the active constituents of the medicinal plant extracts are still unknown, we have demonstrated that they have potential for effective control of I. multifiliis.