|
The Herb
Latin Names Mucuna pruriens Baker / M. prurita Hook
English Name Cowhage
Sanskrit / Indian Name Kapikachhu
Mucuna pruriens is an herbaceous, twining climber with trifoliate leaves. The seeds are astringent and tonic; they possess mild insecticidal activity. The leaves of the plant are applied to ulcers. The seeds contain the bioactive alkaloids mucunine, mucunadine, mucuadinine, pruriendine and nicotine, as well as ß-sitosterol, glutathione, lecithin, oils, venolic and gallic acids. The seed with its coat showed the presence of a number of bioactive subtances including tryptamine, alkylamines, steroids, flavonoids, coumarins, cardenolides, etc.
Click here to view detailed Herbal Monograph
Indications
The seeds, due to the presence of L-DOPA and nicotine, are in great demand. L-DOPA is a neurotransmitter precursor, an effective drug for relief in Parkinson's disease. Seed powder including seed coat is an ingredient of the several ayurvedic drugs given as an aphrodisiac. It is prophylactic against oligospermia, and useful in increasing sperm count, ovulation in women, etc. It prevents male and female sterility and acts as a nervine tonic.
Dosage*
1 capsule twice a day after meals with milk or water.
Please maintain an hour's gap between intake of our products and other allopathic drugs.
* Recommended only at the age of 14 years and above.
References
Sinha, J. Res. Educ. Indian Med., 1992, 11(1), 15.
Goyal, J. Econ. Taxon Bot., 1991, 15, 677.
Parikh et. al., Indian Drugs, 1990, 27, 353.
Handa et. al., Fitoterapia, 1989, 60, 210.
|
