English name: Common cowitch, cowhage

Sanskrit name: Kapikachhu

Family: Papilionaceae

Part used: Seeds

Traditional Uses: In ayurveda, the seeds are used as a tonic and for male virility. The pods are anthelmintic and the root powder a laxative. The seed powder has been tried in Parkinson’s disease with positive results. The roots are tonic, stimulant, diuretic, purgative and emmenagogue. They are used for diseases of the nervous system, kidney troubles and dropsy. An ointment prepared from the roots is applied for elephantiasis. The seeds are astringent and tonic; they possess slight insecticidal activity. The leaves of the plant are applied to ulcers.

Phytochemistry: The major bioactive constituent of Mucuna pruriens seeds is 3-(3,4 dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine (L-Dopa). The other constituents include alkaloids viz., mucunine, mucunadine, prurienine, prurieninine, etc. ; epoxy fatty acids viz. cis 12,13-epoxyoctadec-trans-9-enoic acid and vernolic acid etc.

Pharmacology: Mucuna pruriens has significant activity in Parkinson’s disease. It is also known for its aphrodisiac activity in male rats and decrease in sexual function in female rats.  In addition hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and antivenom activity are also studied.

Marker constituent: L-DOPA

Main Uses: Anti-parkinsonism, Aphrodisiac.

Product Specification: