Mucuna pruriens - Velvet bean

Mucuna pruriens

Mucuna pruriens is a climbing plant that produces legumes. Mucuna pruriens grows to a height of 3 to 18 meters and is found in the following tropical countries: Africa, India, and the West Indies.

The flowers of Mucuna pruriens range from white to dark purple and hang in long clusters, within which the Mucuna beans are also found.

The beans are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and minerals, and contain the very potent amino acid L-Dopa (a precursor to dopamine).

The following substances are also found in the bean: 5-hydroxytryptamine, bufotenine, 5-MeO-DMT, mucunine, mucuadine, pruriendine, nicotine, β-sitosterol, glutathione, lecithin, venolic acid, gallic acids, and serotonin. Due to its highly aphrodisiac effect, the Pruriens bean is commonly found in sexual stimulants.

Traditional use: Pruriens is used in tea; an effective dose is 500 to 700 mg.