Mucuna: The Wonder Plant
In this article, we'll take a closer look at mucuna pruriens and its potential health benefits. We'll also provide you with some tips on how to incorporate this powerful extract with other herbs to help take your body (your vehicle) to the next level.
What Is Mucuna Pruriens?
The Mucuna Pruriens is a plant that often grows in tropical areas, such as the Caribbean and Africa. Its seeds are covered in a velvet-like substance, which is where it gets its nickname, "Velvet Bean." Interestingly enough, this plant was actually used to make itching powder at one point! If you touch the seed pods or young leaves of this plant, you'll likely experience severe irritation and itchiness on your skin.
The velvet bean has many common names, such as Florida velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Mauritius Velvet Bean, Yokohama Velvet Bean, and cowhage. In addition to these English names, the plant also has two Sanskrit names: Atmagupta (which means "secret self") and Kapikacchu (meaning "one who itches like a monkey").
The seeds of the Mucuna pruriens plant are known for their high concentrations of levodopa (also known as L-dopa), which can be up to seven percent. This, combined with its content of hallucinogenic tryptamines, phenols, and tannins, makes it an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Benefits Of Mucuna Herb Extract
There are many potential benefits associated with taking this dietary supplement. Below, we'll take a look at some of the most well-known and researched benefits.
It Can Be Used To Treat Parkinson's Disease
Mucuna Pruriens seeds contain high levels of L-Dopa, which is a dopamine precursor. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter in the brain that helps with coordination, learning, motivation, and regulating moods.
When a person has Parkinson disease, the nerve cells that create dopamine in their brain break down slowly over time. With fewer working cells, dopamine levels reduce, which then causes irregular brain activity and results in symptoms associated with Parkinson's.
In a multicenter clinical trial, increasing the amount of dopamine in an idiopathic Parkinson's disease study group proved to be fruitful as most of their symptoms were reduced significantly.
In treating Parkinson's, Western medicine uses a synthetic form of L-dopa to raise dopamine levels in Parkinson's disease patients, while Ayurvedic methods use Mucuna pruriens, which does the same thing. Of course, the natural version of Levodopa therapy is much better for you, as it doesn't come with the same side effects as the synthetic version.
Can Help Treat Insomnia
Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It can be caused by stress, anxiety, medications, and other underlying medical conditions. If you're someone who struggles with insomnia, then you know how frustrating it can be to try and get a good night's rest.
Many people today suffer from insomnia, but Mucuna pruriens can help fix this global issue. Research indicates that it eases stress and anxiety, which in turn improves sleep quality.
This herbal compound's dopamine and serotonin combination promotes stress-free relaxation. It also reduces cortisol levels, which is the hormone that's responsible for making you feel stressed out. Consequently, by lowering your cortisol levels, you're more likely to feel calm and relaxed, which can help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Possesses Aphrodisiac Properties
Mucuna pruriens is also known for its libido-boosting properties. The L-dopa in the herb helps to increase dopamine levels, which can have a positive effect on your sex drive. Furthermore, it's been shown to improve sexual function and performance in men.
Not only does this natural extract improve your sex drive, but it can also help you last longer in bed. Mucuna pruriens have been shown to increase semen volume and sperm count while also improving motility. This means that if you're looking to conceive, then this could be a helpful supplement for you and your partner to take.
Aids In Weight Loss
Mucuna Pruriens has been shown to help with weight loss in a few different ways. First, it helps break down fat cells and prevents them from reforming. Second, it suppresses your appetite by making you feel fuller for longer after eating a meal.
This combination of benefits can lead to significant weight loss over time, especially when combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Mucuna pruriens also helps boost your metabolism, which is the rate at which your body burns calories. A faster metabolism means you'll be able to lose weight even easier.
Helps Eliminate Man Boobs
Man boobs, or gynecomastia, is a condition that causes men to develop enlarged breasts. This can be caused by hormone imbalances, obesity, certain medications, and other underlying medical conditions.
Mucuna pruriens can help treat man boobs because it helps regulate hormones in the body. It also helps reduce body fat, which can help shrink enlarged breasts.
Can Be Used To Treat ADHD
ADHD is a mental disorder that's characterized by problems with focus, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. While it's most commonly diagnosed in children, it can also affect adults.
There is no cure for ADHD, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms. Mucuna pruriens is one such treatment. The L-dopa in the herb helps to increase dopamine levels in the brain, which can improve focus and concentration.
Mucuna pruriens can also help reduce hyperactivity and impulsiveness. This is because the herb helps to calm and relax the mind. Consequently, if you're looking for a natural way to treat your ADHD, then Mucuna pruriens may be worth trying.
Help Treat Male Infertility
It's not certain if Mucuna pruriens can raise testosterone levels in fertile men, but it does appear to boost them for males who are struggling with infertility. A study done at C.S.M Medical University in India looked into the effects of Mucuna pruriens on 75 infertile men compared to a control group of 75 healthy fertile men.
The study showed that treatment with velvet bean significantly improved levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline in infertile men. In addition, sperm count and motility were "significantly recovered" after treatment.
Symptoms of sexual dysfunction and low libido are commonly found in subjects who have diabetes, as backed by a 2012 study. The study evaluated the effects of M. pruriens on male rats that had long-term hyperglycemia to better understand how it would impact them sexually.
Compared to animal subjects with diabetes who were not given any of the extracts, those given M. pruriens seed extract showed a significant improvement in sexual behavior, libido and potency, sperm parameters, DSP [Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine], and hormonal levels.
Mood Lifter & Natural Antidepressant
A deficiency in dopamine has been shown to cause depression in some cases. But can Mucuna Pruriens help relieve depression? A 2014 study published in AYU (an International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda) looked into the possibility by examining the antidepressant effects of velvet bean seeds on animal subjects.
In conclusion, the study found that the hydroalcoholic extract of velvet bean seeds (at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) has antidepressant effects. The researchers believe this may be due to the velvet bean's ability to increase dopamine levels.
A study published in 2013 in the journal Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine found that Mucuna pruriens not only affects dopamine but also serotonin and norepinephrine—two more key neurotransmitters that affect mood. The animal subjects administered the Mucuna pruriens seed extract for two weeks exhibited increases in all three of these transmitters.
What Other Herb Can Mucuna Be Used With?
Mucuna can be used in conjunction with herbs like Haritaki and banafsha. Haritaki is a herb that is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for its wide range of health benefits.
Some of the benefits of Haritaki include:
Awakens The Mind
Haritaki has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a natural treatment for improving cognitive function and mental clarity.
Reduces Blood Pressure
Haritaki has been shown to reduce blood pressure and has a calming effect on the mind.
Reduces Inflammation
Haritaki is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Detoxifies The Body
Haritaki is a powerful detoxifying agent that can help to remove toxins from the body.
Improves Digestion
Haritaki is a great herb for improving digestion and promoting regularity.
Banafsha is another herb that can be used in conjunction with mucuna as an alternative medicine treatment. Banafsha is an annual herb that belongs to the viola family. This herb is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. The flowers of this herb are white or blue in color and have a sweet fragrance.
Some of the benefits of Banafsha include:
Reduces Mucus And Phlegm
Banafsha is an expectorant that can help to reduce mucus and phlegm.
Soothes The Throat
Banafsha can help to soothe a sore throat.
Relieves Cough
Banafsha is a great herb for relieving a dry or productive cough.
Conclusion
Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume that has a long history of use in traditional and complementary medicine circles. This herb has a wide range of health benefits, including its ability to boost dopamine levels, improve fertility, reduce inflammation, and alleviate depression. Mucuna pruriens can be used in conjunction with other herbs, such as Haritaki and Banafsha, to enhance its effects further.
Before consuming these herbs, we recommend you carry out a colon cleanse. A colon cleanse will help remove toxins and waste from the body, improving your overall health.
If you want to get all these benefits, make sure to visit our store today! We carry Mucuna, Haritaki, and Banafsha in our product line.