Composition of Mucuna Pruriens

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.

 Nutritional analysis reveals mucuna pruriens contains crude protein ranged from 20-29 %, crude lipid 6-7%, total dietary fibre 8-10%, ash 3% and carbohydrates 50-60%. Several other compounds are found, including alkaloids.

 Mucuna pruriens principle constituents are L-DOPA and the bioactive alkaloids mucunine, mucunadine, mucuadinine, prurienine and nicotine as well as beta-sitosterol, glutathione, lecithin, oils, venolic and gallic acids. L-DOPA is a neurotransmitter precursor, an effective drug for relief in Parkinson's disease. The seed is a prophylactic against oligospermia and is useful in increasing sperm count, ovulation in women, etc.

 Mucuna pruriens is a good aphrodisiac and also a nervine tonic. It is used in the treatment of spermatorrhea and diseases of the genitourinary system.

 Mucuna pruriens Root is useful in diseases of the nervous system, such as facial paralysis, hemiplegia etc. A strong infusion of the root sweetened with honey is given in cholera morbus. Root is also useful for delirium in fevers and when powdered and made into a paste it is applied in dropsy, a piece of the root being also applied to the wrist and ankle. Root is also made into an ointment which is used for elephantiasis. Seed is said to absorb scorpion poison when applied to the part stung.

 The root is used as diuretic, tonic and stimulant. It is recommended for the nervous system, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, delirium in fevers, and dropsy, in decoction. The infusion of the pods is also good for dropsy. The hairs of the pods are given for threadworms.

 The seeds are considered astringent, aphrodisiac, tonic, nervine and nutritive. They are given in powder or in decoction in cases of leukorrhea, spermatorrhea, menstrual disorders etc.

 Mucuna pruriens is reported to contain tryptamine alkaloids, specifically 5MeoDMT, Dimethyltryptamine and related alkaloids, in all parts of the plant. Also reported to contain L-dopa in seeds, a dopamine precursor utilised in parkinsons disease.

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.

 Other Contents:

 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.