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Main Preparation Method: capsules or standardize extract
Main Actions (in order): anti-Parkinson's, androgenic, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, anabolic Main Uses:
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. ****************************************** Dr.KKO 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, nescafé, pó 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
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 "nescafé" 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 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 Preparation: 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:
Drug Interactions:
    
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