Mucuna pruriens is a bean-like plant. It grows wild in the tropics, including India and the Bahamas, and its range may extend to southern Florida. The bean, seed, and hair of the bean pod are used to make medicine.
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Uses
- High levels of a hormone called prolactin (hyperprolactinemia). There is some evidence that cowhage might be useful for treating hyperprolactinemia in men caused by the medication chlorpromazine.
- Parkinson’s disease. Developing research suggests that some Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract preparations might help improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease when used in combination with prescription drugs such as amantadine, selegiline, and anticholinergic agents. Cowhage contains levodopa (L-dopa), a chemical used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- Worm infestations.
- Bone and joint conditions.
- Muscle pain.
- Stimulating surface blood flow in conditions that involve paralysis.
Benefits
- Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract has been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Today, Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract is still used for treating Parkinson’s disease, as well as for treating anxiety, arthritis, parasitic infections, and a condition called hyperprolactinemia. In hyperprolactinemia, the blood levels of a hormone called prolactin are too high.
- Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract is also used to relieve pain and fever, to induce vomiting, and to treat snakebite.
- Some people apply Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract directly to the skin for joint and muscle pain, to stimulate surface blood flow in conditions that involve paralysis, and to treat scorpion stings.
Interactions
- Please consult with your pharmacist about possible intolerance
Other names
Atmagupta, Couhage, Cowitch, Cow-Itch Plant, Dolichos Pruriens, Feijao Macaco, HP 200, HP-200, Kapi Kacchu, Kapikachchhu, Kapikachhu, Kapikachu, Kaunch, Kawach, Kawanch, Kevanch, Kiwach, Macuna, Mucuna hirsuta, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna Prurient, Mucuna Prurita, Nescafé, Ojo de Buey, Ojo de Venado, Pica-Pica, Pois à Gratter, Pois Mascate, Pois Velu, Stizolobium pruriens, Velvet Bean.