Mucuna pruriens herb health benefit

Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as velvet bean, contains L-Dopa. L-dopa is used to make dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. Studies in rats show mucuna pruriens supplements increase dopamine content in the cortex of the brain. Mucuna pruriens is used for male erectile dysfunction, as an aphrodisiac, and as nervine tonic. Mucuna pruriens has been used for generations in India to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease has a low prevalence in India except in the small Parsi community where there is a high prevalence. Parkinson's disease has been known in India since ancient days and the powder of mucuna pruriens seeds has been used for its treatment. Mucuna pruriens also has antioxidant properties.        

Mucuna Pruriens herb suitable for vegetarians
Formulated by Ray Sahelian, MD

Mucuna pruriens has been used for centuries for its broad health benefits.


Supplement Facts
Mucuna Pruriens herb - 200 mg
    Mucuna pruriens seed dried water mucuna pruriens extract, 15 percent L Dopa

Directions: Take half or one mucuna pruriens capsule in the morning or as directed by your health care provider.

Click here to buy Mucuna Pruriens herb supplement

Composition of mucuna pruriens seed - constituents of mucuna pruriens
Nutritional analysis reveals mucuna pruriens seed contains crude protein ranged from 20-29 %, crude lipid 6-7%, total dietary fibre 8-10%, ash 3% and carbohydrates 50-60%.
   Besides L-dopa, some mucuna pruriens supplements contain quite a number of others substances including tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, D-chiro-inositol and its galacto-derivatives, trace amounts of bufotenine, DMT, and beta-carboline.

Mucuna pruriens herb side effect
Q. What are long term mucuna pruriens herb side effects?
   A.  The benefits and side effects of long term use of mucuna prurines supplements in humans are not known, therefore users and their doctors should be vigilant for any symptoms or signs that could relate to a potential long term side effect.

Mucuna pruriens and Parkinson's disease
Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Dec;75(12):1672-7. National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK.
We assessed the clinical effects and levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacokinetics following two different doses of mucuna preparation and compared them with standard L-dopa / carbidopa. 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 L-dopa / carbidopa, and 15 and 30 g of mucuna pruriens preparation in randomised order at weekly intervals. Compared with standard L-dopa / carbidopa, the mucuna preparation led to a considerably faster onset of effect, reflected in shorter latencies to peak L-dopa plasma concentrations. No significant differences in dyskinesias or tolerability occurred. 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 Parkinson's disease.

Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens.
Phytother Res. 2004 Sep;18(9):706-12. Manyam BV, Dhanasekaran M, Hare TA. Department of Neurology, Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX 76508, USA.
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.

Mucuna pruriens for infertility
Effect of Mucuna pruriens on semen profile and biochemical parameters in seminal plasma of infertile men.
Fertility Sterility. 2007 Nov 12.
We evaluated sixty normal healthy fertile men (controls) and 60 men with infertility. Before and after the treatment, seminal plasma lipid profile, lipid peroxide, fructose, and antioxidant vitamin levels were measured. Treatment with mucuna pruriens significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation, elevated spermatogenesis, and improved sperm motility. Treatment also recovered the levels of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, and vitamin A, C, and E and corrected fructose in seminal plasma of infertile men. Treatment with mucuna pruriens increased sperm concentration and motility in all the infertile study groups.

Mucuna Pruriens and neurotransmitters
It is widely believed that mucuna pruriens influences the dopamine system, however there may be other factors involved. A study was designed to elucidate the long-term effect of Mucuna pruriens on neurotransmitters in various regions of the rat brain. Mucuna pruriens powder at a dose of 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 grams /kg/day was mixed with rat chow and fed daily ad lib to Sprague-Dawley rats for 52 weeks. Controls received no mucuna pruriens. The rats were sacrificed at the end of 52 weeks and the neurotransmitters were analyzed in the cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum. Oral administration of mucuna pruriens endocarp in the form of HP-200 had a significant effect on dopamine content in the cortex with no significant effect on levodopa, norepinephrine or dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites- HVA, DOPAC and 5-HIAA in the nigrostriatal tract. The failure of Mucuna pruriens endocarp to significantly affect dopamine metabolism in the striatonigral tract along with its ability to improve Parkinsonian symptoms in the 6-hydorxydopamine animal model and humans may suggest that its anti-parkinson effect may be due to components other than levodopa or that it has an levodopa enhancing effect.

Mucuna pruriens email
Q. Numerous commercial sites claim that mucuna pruriens will increase levels of tetosterone, GH, GnRH, LH, and FSH. Are there any studies available that verify these claims?
   A. Mucuna pruiriens increases dopamine levels which can influence hormone secretion. Not enough studies have been done in humans to know which hormones are influenced and for how long and whether different dosages lead to different hormone influences.

Q. i would like to know if i can take l dopa drug Madopar along with mucuna pruriens (not at the same time obviously) but reduce Madopar to once a day and maybe mucuna replace with.
   A. We suggest your doctor read the mucuna pruriens page and offer the advice since we cannot offer individual suggestions. It is best that your doctor knows that mixing drugs and herbs can have unexpected reactions and as a general rule it is best to learn how the herbs work by themselves before combining, and sometimes lower dosages are required when combining drugs and herbs since herbs can be potent. Some people find benefit from mucuna pruriens, others don't.

Q. Mucuna pruriens is not having the hoped for result. My wife has Parkinson's and takes about 300 mg per day Roche's Prolopa 200/50 mg formulation. We tried adjusting the mucuna pruriens to that level, but a full week of experimentation did not give an improvement -- in fact, just the opposite. Looks like I'll use the mucuna pruriens for my libido!
   A. The dosage of mucuna pruriens may not have been enough, or it could have interacted with Prolopa, or perhaps you wife just would not respond to mucuna pruriens. Not everyone responds positively to medications or herbal supplements.

Q. I recently purchased mucuna pruriens for my orgasm problem but it didn't seem to help so I thought I'd ask if there are any other items you would recommend instead. I take forever to reach orgasm. All I see for men are products to delay orgasm - that is not what I need and any of those serotonin products would make things far worse for me. I I tried mucuna as an attempt to see if dopamine insufficiency might be my issue. At this point I can't tell if it is or isn't (I've only been taking it for four days).
   A. It's difficult to predict which herb or herbal combination will help since this area has not been studied. But it would be fair to give each herb or product a period of at least one to two week trial. Other products to try would include Passion Rx, LJ100, and tribulus terrestris. For more information, see Natural Sex Boosters book.

Q. I read that mucuna pruriens herb can raise testosterone levels, and being a woman, should this be a concern for me? I am working to correct some neurological imbalances and want to try a product we carry in the supplement store I work at. I am 27 years old and also take 5-HTP, but would like to use mucuna pruriens in addition to that. My only concern would be any unnecessary hormonal changes.
   A. Neurological imbalances is a very ambiguous diagnosis. We have not seen any good human studies regarding the influence of mucuna pruriens on hormone levels.

Q. I recently ordered this supplement. I am wondering if there are any other amino acids or minerals necessary to take in conjunction with mucuna pruriens herb in order to facilitate the conversion from L-dopa to dopamine? I am really hoping this supplement will help me, and I just want to know what I may need to help it work its best.
   A. Mucuna pruriens is potent, at this time we do not see the need to add amino acids. It is a good idea, at least initially, to learn how a single herb works for you and what the effects are on various dosages before adding another supplement.

Q. I have suffered from a wide range of psychological problems and tried a number of conventional drugs some have worked better then other, none have given a satisfying result, and all have cast side effects. recently I started supplementing with Dr. Ray Sahelian's mucuna extract, witch I have done for 3 weeks now, this has opened a new world for me suddenly I can actually function in the world and live a real life. However I’m wondering whether or not it’s a good idea supplementing with mucuna pruriens on a daily basis for a long period of time. Some side effects and even neurotoxicity seams to be associated with synthetic L-dopa. I have also heard that at least synthetic L-dopa loses its effectiveness over time. I’m not sure if this is due to upregulation or some other process of homeostasis. On the other hand some people claim that those side effect only occurs when synthetic L-dopa is taken. And that the natural herb mucuna isn’t associated with any of these side effects and that it actually is a safe herb even for long term us. Does the herb mucuna pruriens lose it effect over time? And how different is really natural L-dopa to its chemical counterpart?
   A. We don't have much experience in the West with using mucuna pruriens for prolonged periods, so we don't know what the side effects would be when used for months or years without a break. As a general rule, it is a good idea to take a day or two off a week off from a particular herb and then one full week off every month or every other month. By taking these breaks, any potential side effects are either avoided or significantly reduced. The percentage of L-dopa in mucuna pruriens is small, as opposed to taking in pure L-dopa as a pharmaceutical drug. Initial studies indicate mucuna pruriens has brain protecting potential.
      Q. The reason i started using macuna pruriens was complex social problems. I maintained a social life only because it was better than having no friends. I avoided people as much as possible for instane I did most of my work from home saying that I liked it that way, but I really didn’t. Like most people I have a strong interest for the opposite sex, yet I couldn’t build a healthy relationship with a girl. I really didn’t feel any thing for the girls I met, as a consequence I felt guilty as if I was conning the girl and not being honest. It always ended up with me braking up. In general I felt a constant discomfort being around others yet I was yearning for contact with other people. Taking mucuna pruriens herb has made me normal I enjoy seeing other people in a new way. If i ever will design a formula for social phobia mucuna pruriens is it! I have tried a number of drugs none has given satisfying results. Yet I’m a bit concerned about side effects naturally I think about the regular Parkinson drugs, synthetic L-dopa for instance, which clearly is serious stuff. How ever, and I don’t really understand how, natural L-dopa seams to be vary different from the synthetic variant. How can natural L-dopa be free from neurotoxicity? Is its chemical structure actually different from synthetic L-dopa? I have tried clean natural L-dopa in order to evaluate this I compared mucuna with a dose of natural L-dopa that was corresponding to the quantity of L-dopa I estimated would be in the herb. And I must say that the effect was wary much similar.
         A. Mucuna pruriens has only a few percent L dopa, and it has many other compounds in it that have an effect on the brain and body. Many of these compounds have antioxidant abilities. So, mucuna pruriens is not the same as L dopa medication although it may have similar clinical benefits. We have not seen enough human research to know in detail what other brain chemicals a mucuna pruriens supplement would influence.

Q. I am very interested in your product called mucuna pruriens in 400 mg capsule. In my recent past, I bought a product from a health food store, it is a homeopathic product, to be used externally to rub on the skin, usually used by athletes, and in this product, it is a combination of ingredients, and one of its ingredients consist of mucuna pruriens; the product was quite effective on me as far as for increasing the natural substances my body needs, however, there is one effect on me, even though it is not detrimental to my health, it results in the twitching of my facial skin, including the twitching of my eyelid, could you possibly tell me why that combo external product would cause this reaction ? Do you think just the mucuna pruriens itself would give me the same reaction, or did anyone ever experience the same reaction as I did with that external combo skin product that I bought? Generally speaking, does mucuna pruriens increase or decrease blood pressure? I do know different individuals reacts in different ways, that is why I am asking in a general way among the many users.
   A. We have no idea what this product is, and how much of the herbs or nutrients can be absorbed through the skin. We have not had feedback yet from anyone who has reported such a reaction from mucuna pruriens herb. We have not seen any good studies regarding the influence of mucuna pruriens on blood pressure and have not had enough feedback from users as to any significant effect of mucuna pruriens on blood pressure. Much may depend on the dosage that is used. It is often a good idea to start new supplements in low dosages.

Q. Is mucuna  pruriens safe to take while breast feeding?
   A. We have not seen human studies regarding the safety of mucuna pruriens supplement use in women who are pregnant. To be on the safe side, it may be cautious to not use this herb during pregnancy.

Q. Please clarify the difference between the two mucuna pruriens products below. I am not clear as to what the pecentage of L-Dopa vis a vis the mg quantity in each product means, and what the difference is, especially in the net percent of L-Dopa delivered to the brain according to the mg dosage.
Mucuna Pruriens 120 Caps: 100mg of 60%L-Dopa HERBAL POWERS
Mucuna Pruriens 60 caps: 400mg of 10% of L-Dopa Physicians Formula
   A. There are a number of extracts of mucuna pruriens and we can't comment on other products form other companies since we have not idea what effect they have. Please keep in mind that there are many active ingredients in mucuna pruriens besides L dopa. Also, a higher dosage or percentage of L dopa is not necessarily better since since effects can occur. The best way to tell what works for you is to try each product separately and see how it works for you. One product may be ideal for one person but cause problems and side effects in another person.

Q. Why is the mucuna puriens product you carry standardized to 10% l-dopa when other mucuna puriens supplement formulations are much higher?
   A. There is no research that says one extract potency of mucuna pruriens is better than another extract potency. Historically most herbal preparations have been used as the crude powder rather than the extract form. Until research clearly shows a particular mucuna pruriens extract potency is clinically more effective than another potency, this product will remain at 10 percent L Dopa extract.

Q. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I am 55 in good health otherwise. I ordered Passion RX and received yesterday. I have read where Mucuna pruriens herb is beneficial to Parkinson patients. Can I take the two products at the same time or should I only use one or the other? Passion RX contains Mucuna pruriens herb. I presently take Mirapex 1mg 3 x daily. Is there a conflict?
   A. We suggest you first learn how each product is effecting you by itself since both are potent. We prefer people not combine the two supplements the same day.

Q. I have been using Physicians Formulas mucuna 400 mg 10% L dopa along with carbadopa 25mg tid for Parkinson's Disease and have been doing better than with the sinemet 100mg/25 mg I previously took. Now the changed formulation is 200 mg 15% L-dopa. I really hate to go back to fussing around again to find the proper dosages as this is not easy nor quick. Are there plans to produce the old formulation still? If not will they produce a formulation that has an equivalent L dopa dose? (40 mg).
   A. Apparently the original source of 10 percent L dopa was no longer available and the formula was switched to 15 % L dopa at 200 mg. Keep in mind that L dopa is not the only active substance in mucuna pruriens and just going by the L dopa percentage does not take full account of the many other substances in mucuna pruriens that influence brain chemistry. There are no plans to return to the old formulation. Also one needs to keep in mind that the dosage requirement of medications and herbs can change over time. The effect of certain herbs can begin to accumulate over time and less of a dosage is required. The only way to know for sure is by trial and error. That different mucuna pruriens supplements on the market, even if the percentage of L dopa is the same, may have different effects due to variations in growing the plants, processing, storing, and encapsulating.

Q. I came upon mucuna pruriens herb being suggested for Parkinson's disease and was wondering if you know if it would also be helpful for decreasing the tremors in essential tremor.
   A. This is a good question. We don't have any feedback regarding the use of mucuna pruriens herb in the treatment of essential tremor, but if your doctor approves it may be worth trying the herbal extract.

Q.  Do you know how much caffeine is in macuna pruriens herb? The reason I ask is that my Dr. is concerned about my calcium absorption. Would there be enough caffeine to interfere with calcium absorption if I take macuna pruriens herb over a long time - many years?
   A. We are not aware of caffeine being present in this herb.

Q. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism. I currently take Carbidopa 10 MG / Levadopa 100MG 4 times per day. I would like to try Mucuna Pruriens herbal extract and see if I can possibly reduce my medication. Can you tell me if there is any contraindication?
   A. Caution is advised when combining herbal supplements and medications. When adding any supplement to a medication program very low dosages should initially be used. We suggest you ask your doctor to read this page and guide you since we can't give specific individual advice.

I am a home gardener here in Texas, USA. I just bought Mucana pruriens seeds from a company in Florida, with a 90 day growth cycle and am waiting for them to pop thru the soil. My husband has Parkinson’s and takes a drug called carbidopa-levodopa 4 times a day that replaces his lost natural dopamine. If I get a harvest from the bean plants, can he just eat the raw bean for the same effect as your 200mg capsules?
    There are many factors that influence the composition of a bean, the soil, temperature, how it is grown, etc. It is not possible for us to know whether consuming the bean would be effective and what the l dopa content would be. The capsules have a 15 % l dopa concentration that is standardized.