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Ayurvedic Medicinal Properties of Kapikacchu - Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens is a legume found in Africa, India and the Caribbean. It is an annual climbing shrub that grows to over 13 – 15 m tall. The young plant is completely covered in hairs where older plants are free of them. The leaves are tripinnate. Flowers are white, lavender or purple. The fruits are legumes. The shell is very hairy and carries up to seven seeds. The seed pods are about 10 cm long and covered with loose, orange hairs that cause severe itching when in contact with the skin. The chemical compounds responsible for itching are a protein, mucunain and serotonin. …
Ayurvedic Medicinal Properties of Kapikacchu - Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens is a legume found in Africa, India and the Caribbean. It is an annual climbing shrub that grows to over 13 – 15 m tall. The young plant is completely covered in hairs where older plants are free of them. The leaves are tripinnate. Flowers are white, lavender or purple. The fruits are legumes. The shell is very hairy and carries up to seven seeds. The seed pods are about 10 cm long and covered with loose, orange hairs that cause severe itching when in contact with the skin. The chemical compounds responsible for itching are a protein, mucunain and serotonin.
This plant is also known as Cowhage, Cowitch, Velvet Bean, Itchy Bean, Buffalo Bean etc. In India it is known as Kevancha, Kavach or Kevach (Hindi).
Ayurveda Acharyas have grouped this plant under Balya (body-strengthening herbs), Madhura skanda (sweet-tasting herbs) and Vatasamshamana (herbs that normalize Vata Dosha).
According to Ayurvedic principles, the Mucuna pruriens or Kapikacchu plant is difficult to digest and increases tissue moisture. It has both a sweet and bitter taste and the potency is hot.
Ayurvedic medicinal properties:
This plant normalizes Vata and increases Kapha and Pitta. Therefore, it is administered in diseases caused by Vata vitiation.
The roots and seeds of Kapikacchu strengthen the nervous system and reduce stress. Therefore, it is used as a nerve tonic.
The hairs on fruits help eliminate intestinal parasites. It is usually administered with honey, butter and jaggery.
Seeds of Mucuna pruriens act as Vrishya (aphrodisiac). The seeds of this plant are praised as the best Vrishya and Vajikara that increase sexual functions in men. They help with conditions such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low sperm count. Regular use of these seeds increases libido in men. Therefore, Kapikacchu seeds are used in Vajikarana preparations. Kapikacchu seeds increase sperm count and sperm motility.
Seeds of velvet bean or mucuna are also effective for dysmenorrhea (gynecological painful condition during menstruation) in women. Ayurvedic texts mention the use of seeds to strengthen the vagina muscles.
Velvet bean roots have diuretic properties.
Ayurvedic Acharyas recommend using this herb to strengthen the body, increase endurance and muscle mass.
Studies have shown that Mucuna Pruriens helps increase the male hormone testosterone. Testosterone increases muscle mass, libido and resolves erectile dysfunction. The seeds improve male fertility by increasing the concentration of male hormones. This increases the quality and quantity of the semen.
Seeds contain protein, lipids, fiber, ash, carbohydrates, minerals and many alkaloids, saponins and sterols. The main ingredients are L-Dopa, mucanin and serotonin. L-Dopa acts as an anti-Parkinsonian and increases testosterone.
The tribesmen use plants and their extracts as antivenom for various snake bites.