Mucuna pruriens Herbal Information
NAME
Kapikachhu
LATIN NAME
Mucuna pruriens
ALSO KNOWN AS
Velvet bean, Cowhage, Cowitch, Picapica, Kapikachu, Yerepe, (Yoruba) Atmagupta.
ORIGIN
All areas in tropical forest.
PARTS USED
Seeds, roots.
TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Kapikachhu is a well known Ayurvedic herb, is well documented for its Aphrodisiac qualities as it is known to increase sperm count and boost testosterone levels, it is also known to help the body build lean muscle and break down fat, so is often used by athletes and body builders in sports medicine, and by those wishing to follow a weight loss plan. It is also good for boosting the mood and has anti-depressant effects.
It contains a natural source of L-Dopa, which was made famous by the movie 'Awakenings' with Robin Williams. It stimulates the brains production of dopamine which improves mood, sexuality, co-ordination and studies have been done to show its positive effects on Parkinson's disease. Dopamine encourages the release of HGH (human growth hormone) from the pituitary gland, and it is HGH that aids the body build muscle and break down fat.
It is a traditional plant medicine from the Americas, also grown in Asia and Africa. It is used in many ways, infusions, poultices, powders and confectionary as well as the beans being cooked and eaten as food. It is known to also have mild psychedelic effects.
FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
Kapikachu enjoys an important place among aphrodisiac herbs in India since ancient times. Susruta mentions the use of the seeds as promoters of virility, as also Bhavamisra. It is categorized as visya - the substance that improves sexual vitality and functioning. Its use as an anthelmintic has also been mentioned in older books on traditional medicine. Yogaratnakara has a reference to its use in a formulation for tremors.
CONSTITUENTS
It contains high concentrations of levadopa, a direct precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It has long been used in traditional ayurvedic Indian medicine for diseases including Parkinson's disease. In large amounts (e.g. 30g dose) it has been shown to be as effective as as pure levodopa carbidopa in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease, but no data on long-term efficacy and tolerability is available.
In addition to levodopa, Mucuna also contains 5-HTP, nicotine, N-DMT, bufotenine, 5-MeO-DMT. As such, it could potentially have psychedelic effects, and it has purportedly been used in ayahuasca preparations.
The leaves contain about 0.5% L-DOPA, 0.006% dimethyltryptamine (DMT) 0.0025% 5-MeO-DMT and 0.003% DMT n-oxide.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS
AND SUGGESTED DOSAGE
Kapikachhu / Mucuna pruriens Herbal powder-
1 teaspoon up to 3 times daily
Kapikachhu / Mucuna pruriens Herbal Tincture-
Extraction Ratio 1:3
Alcohol Vol. 25%
Dosage: 2-5ml up 3 times daily
or as directed by an herbal practitioner.
PRECAUTIONS
Due to the L-dopa content it is not recommended for people on L- Dopa medication.
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