Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamic properties:

Rasa

:

Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter)

Guna

:

Guru (heavy), Snigdha (oily)

Virya

:

Ushna (hot)

Vipaka

:

Madhura (sweet)

Doshakarma

:

Vata shamak (alleviates V Dosha)

Part used: Roots, Seeds, and Leaves

Chemical Composition : Seeds contain L-dopa (4-3, 4-dihydroxy phenyladaline) gluthione, lecithin, gallic acid, glycosides, nicotine, prurenine, prurenidine, dark brown viscous oil. alkaloids mucanine, tannic acid, resin, lecithin

Medicinal Properties: It has Anthelmintic, Diuretic, Aphrodisiac, Nervine, Astringent, Rejuvenative, Analgesic, Carminative properties.

Medicinal uses:

• Mucuna is an aphrodisiac herb used as a nervine tonic & for male virility. It is well known for its aphrodisiac properties & also as a testosterone stimulating herb that increase the sperm count.

• It is well known dietary supplement which helps in deposition of protein in muscle & hence helps in increasing muscle & mass strength.

• It also restores mental alertness & improves co-ordination.

• It is direct precursor of neurotransmitter of levodopa. L-dopa increases production of dopamine which improves mood, sexuality, co-ordination of muscles & positive effect in Parkinsons.

• Pods are used as anthelminthic,

• Seeds are in leucorrhoea, spermatorrhoea, in expelling round worms & otherworms except tape worm

• Root powder is laxative

• Farmers use mucuna as cover crop, a fodder or as green manure

• Toasted ground seeds are used as a coffee substitutes

• An ointment is used for Elephantiasis

Dose: Churna 3-6 gms; Roots 50-100ml; Bristles 125 mg.

Important formulations: Vanari Ghrita, Vanari Gutika, Kaunchapaka.

Precaution:

•  It is not prescribed during pregnancy, because it has uterine stimulant effect and may cause birth defects.
• It lowers the blood sugar level.  Those with hypoglycemia or diabetes should only use Kauch under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
• It  is contraindicated in combination with M.A.O. inhibitors.
• It has androgenic activity, increasing testosterone levels. Persons with excessive androgen syndromes should avoid using Kaunch.
• It inhibits prolactin. If you have a medical condition resulting in inadequate levels of prolactin in the body, do not use  unless under the direction or your healthcare practitioner.
• The seed contains high quantities of L-dopa. Levodopa is the pharmaceutical medication used for Parkinson's disease. Those with Parkinson's should only use  under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Home Remedies:

• Its powder is useful to increase sexual potency, it should be use in the dose of 3-5 gms along with other herbs like Ashwagandha, Akarkara, Javitri etc.
• Decoction of its 10 gm root powder is beneficial in dysmenorrhoea.
• its decoction of root is also beneficial in neurological disorders like paralysis, facial paralysis etc.