Velvet Bean /Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume native to Africa and tropical Asia and widely naturalized and cultivated. Its English common names include monkey tamarind, velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowage, cowitch, lacuna bean, and Lyon bean.^[rx] The plant is notorious for the extreme itchiness it produces on contact,^[rx] particularly with the young foliage and the seed pods. It also produces many medium-sized red swollen bumps along with the itching. It has agricultural and horticultural value and is used in herbalism.

Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is an established herbal drug used for the management of male infertility, nervous disorders, and also as an aphrodisiac. It has been shown that its seeds are potential of substantial medicinal importance. The ancient Indian medical system, Ayurveda, traditionally used M. pruriens, even to treat such things as Parkinson’s disease. M. pruriens has been shown to have antiparkinson and neuroprotective effects, which may be related to its antioxidant activity. In addition, the antioxidant activity of M. pruriens has been also demonstrated in vitro by its ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and reactive oxygen species. In this review, the medicinal properties of M. pruriens are summarized, taking in consideration the studies that have used the extracts of the seeds and the leaves extracts.

Velvet bean also referred to as mucuna prurient, is really an exotic legume having lengthy clusters of purplish flowers and densely hair pods. It is really an annual climbing shrub having long vines with a length of over 15 meters. The beans are grown in the southern United States, Africa, India and also the West Indies for green manure and grazing. They’re also utilized as ornamentals. Velvet beans are recognized by a multitude of common names like atmagupta, watch, alkushi, cowitch, cowhage, pica, kapicachu, and yerepe. They’ve been utilized in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for a long time to deal with worms, dysentery, diarrhea, snake bites, sexual debility, cough, tuberculosis, impotence, rheumatic disorders, muscular pain, sterility, gout, menstrual disorders, diabetes, and cancer.

Description

The plant is an annual climbing shrub with long vines that can reach over 15 meters (50 ft) in length. When the plant is young, it is almost completely covered with fuzzy hairs, but when older, it is almost completely free of hairs. The leaves are tripinnate, ovate, reverse ovate, rhombus-shaped, or widely ovate. The sides of the leaves are often heavily grooved and the tips are pointy. In young M. pruriens plants, both sides of the leaves have hairs. The stems of the leaflets are two to three millimeters long (approximately one-tenth of an inch). Additional adjacent leaves are present and are about 5 millimeters (0.2 in) long.

The flower heads take the form of axially arrayed panicles. They are 15–32 centimeters (6–13 in) long and have two or three, or many flowers. The accompanying leaves are about 12.5 millimeters (0.5 in) long, the flower stand axes are from 2.5–5 millimeters (0.1–0.2 in). The bell is 7.5–9 millimeters (0.3–0.4 in) long and silky. The sepals are longer or of the same length as the shuttles. The crown is purplish or white. The flag is 1.5 millimeters (0.06 in) long. The wings are 2.5–3.8 centimeters (1.0–1.5 in) long.

In the fruit-ripening stage, a 4–13 centimeters (2–5 in) long, 1–2 centimeters (0.4–0.8 in) wide, unwinged, leguminous fruit develops. There is a ridge along the length of the fruit. The husk is very hairy and carries up to seven seeds. The seeds are flattened uniform ellipsoids, 1–1.9 centimeters (0.4–0.7 in) long, .8–1.3 centimeters (0.3–0.5 in) wide, and 4–6.5 centimeters (2–3 in) thick. The hilum, the base of the funiculus (the connection between placenta and plant seeds) is surrounded by a significant arillus (fleshy seed shell).

M.pruriens bears white, lavender, or purple flowers. Its seed pods are about 10 cm (4 inches) long^[rx] and are covered in loose, orange hairs that cause a severe itch if they come in contact with skin. The itch is caused by a protein known as mucunain.^[rx] The seeds are shiny black or brown drift seeds.

The dry weight of the seeds is 55–85 grams (2–3 oz)/100 seeds.^[rx]

Health benefits of Velvet Bean

Velvet bean, also known as cowhage or even kapikachu, is a very common exotic legume that will reach up to 15 meters in height. It really is mostly utilized as green manure and forage also it nourishes soil due to its nitrogen fixation effect. However, researchers have found that usage of velvet beans offers particular advantages. The following are some of the health benefits of velvet beans.

1. Enhances sperm count

Velvet beans consist of a number of alkaloids that are recognized for revitalizing testosterone secretion to make sure better accessibility of gonads. This process leads to a boost in testes size and sperm count too. The entire process of sperm creation, spermatogenesis, is generally administered by testosterone. Improving the testosterone levels as a result results in higher manufacture of sperms.

2. Aphrodisiac properties

Velvet beans have been proven to boost sexual performance, behavior as well as libido. Frequent use of these types of velvet beans really leads to heightened arousals in addition to enhanced sexual activity. Furthermore, it also delays ejaculation by toning down the hypersensitivity of the person’s genitals. This will make it helpful for individuals with the problem of premature ejaculation.

3. Treats diabetes

Since the usage of velvet beans significantly decreases levels of blood sugar, it really is extremely beneficial in diabetes treatment. The high content of levodopa in these beans helps people with diabetes to help keep healthy levels of blood sugar as well as cholesterol. Velvet beans might also help individuals to lose weight, further benefiting diabetes treatment.

4. Parkinson’s disease treatment

Velvet beans might be utilized in Parkinson’s disease treatment, that is a nerve problem. This specific health advantage is related to the serotonin content of velvet beans. Serotonin is among the neurotransmitters liable for relaying brain signals. It’s important for regulating moods and sleep cycles.

5. Benefits for the Mind

All the health advantages of Mucuna Pruriens originate from its capability to penetrate the brain’s protective barriers and deliver important hormones to the center of the nervous system. As soon as the herb is ingested, L-Dopa is released. L-Dopa, in turn, triggers the creation of the neuro-transmitter dopamine. L-Dopa also causes the release of norepinephrine, adrenaline, and serotonin.

Dopamine and serotonin assist manage mood and distribute powerful, natural energy on the body and mind. These types of chemicals boost the feelings of pleasure as well as peacefulness, making a stress-free demeanor and that’s why Mucuna Pruriens are a fantastic antidote for anxiety and depression. Serotonin can also help regulate sleep cycles. Epinephrine and norepinephrine, on the other hand, enhance cellular metabolism, manage nerve impulses, dilate blood vessels, while increasing the flow of oxygen. This can help keep the person alert as well as energized.

6. Sexual Health Benefits

One quality which makes Mucuna extract extremely popular today is definitely the several sexual health benefits it offers. It will help boost the libido both in women and men. It improves sexual arousal as well as enhances the level of sensitivity to touch. For males, the supplement encourages testosterone production and protects the sperm from oxidation to ensure they are stronger.

The increased manufacture of testosterone activates the release of the human growth hormone which is essential in building lean muscle mass. Today, the herb is broadly promoted as a good way to boost virility.

7. Increased Potency through Stacking

On its own, Mucuna is sufficientto  lift one’s energy and supply the needed energy boost. Many people, however, wish to experience potent cognitive effects along with these benefits. Therefore, the herb is stacked along with nootropic supplements like piracetam, shilajit and aniracetam to accomplish it; and combined with dopamine from Mucuna Pruriens, the mixture leads to clear thoughts, sharp senses, and powerful confidence.

8. Mucuna pruriens stress

In study made out of infertile men that were under psychological stress, it absolutely was mentioned that mucuna pruriens will increase well-being, works well for control over stress as well as lowers serum cortisol levels.

Cooking Tips

• Cooked fresh shoots or beans could be eaten.
• The beans needs to be soaked in water from at least 30 minutes to 48 hours just before cooking or even the water ought to be changed many times while cooking since the beans could be toxic to humans.

Recipe of Velvet Bean

1.  Velvet Bean Tortillas

Ingredients

• 12 ounces of cornflour
• 4 ounces of velvet bean (ground into flour in a blender)
• 1 Tbs Olive oil
• Salt to taste
• 4 tbs to 8 tbs water to make the dough

Directions

1. Put the corn and velvet bean flour in a bowl.
2. Add a teaspoon of salt.
3. Add 4 tablespoonfuls of water (if after few minutes of blending the dough is still dry you might add another two tbs of water), Add one tablespoon of oil.
4. Mix well to create dough. Knead well (typically takes about 10 minutes)
5. When the kneading is done, make 12 portions and roll each in a nice round shape and thin.
6. Place each raw tortilla on the hot pan and cook on every side for around 2 minutes (or more if your tortillas are thick). Cook it until it’s no longer doughy. Remove through the pan and serve hot. Any pickle or vegetable goes well using these Tortillas.

Caution

• Velvet beans shouldn’t be taken while pregnant. These seeds possess a uterine stimulating effect which can lead to birth defects.
• The seeds have uterine stimulant activity and may result in birth defects.
• The beans have an androgenic activity that may increase testosterone levels. Individuals with excessive androgen syndromes ought to avoid velvet beans.

References

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