• Certified Organic by Organic Food Federation

• Natural L-dopa

• Ideal Mixed in Warm Water

About Mucuna Puriens

Mucuna pruriens powder is made by drying and milling Mucuna Pruriens beans. Mucuna pruriens is a leguminous climbing plant that grows wildly, although it is also cultivated in other places. Cultivated species vary in terms of the colour of the seeds, hairs on the pod, and the time it takes to harvest the pods. Species with hairs that sting on their pods are commonly referred to as ‘Cowitch’ or ‘cowhage’ in English. “Pruriens” is a Latin word that means “to itch”. This is the feeling someone gets when hair from the pods of Mucuna sting them. Unknown to many, species with pod hair that doesn’t are known as “velvet beans” in English. Mucuna falls under the Fabaceae family and Papilionaceae subfamily. Over 160 different species of legumes belong to this family. Mucuna is ancient to eastern parts of India and Southern China. However, it has become a widely known source of food in several tropical areas. Currently, it is grown in Africa, America, the Pacific Islands, and Asia. The pods are usually cooked and eaten as a vegetable while leaves that haven’t developed are used as animal feeds. Normally, the mucuna pruriens plant undergoes self-pollination hence doesn’t depend on any pollination agent. 

The mucuna pruriens plant has thin branches and can grow longitudinally to over 15m. Its roots are vertical and vary in length from 6-10m. The leaves are pubescent to a small degree and spiral. The flowers are white and shaped like a pea. The pods are thick, pubescent, and about 4 inches in length. A protein referred to as mucunain causes the itching when the hairs on the pod are touched. They usually produce 4-6 seeds. The seeds are oval, flat, and averagely 1.5cm in length. They range in colour from brown to shiny black. Mucuna can tolerate extreme conditions to a good extent. They can be planted in dry places and places with poor soil types e.g. very acidic soil and soil with low nutrients. However, poorly drained soils and cold doesn’t favour their growth. The warm and humid conditions experienced in the tropics form the ideal conditions for their growth. Average annual rainfall of about 1125mm is okay, but they can still survive if it falls below 500mm annually. Exposure to sufficient sunlight also aids in their growth.  

The earliest use of mucuna pruriens can be traced back to around 1500BC. The bean was dried, crushed, and used to form a paste that was placed on skin surfaces affected by scorpion stings. It was believed that the paste could soak in the poison. In West Africa, it was and is still being used by individuals who engaged in energy-deserving tasks before they embarked on their duties. Such activities include ploughing farmlands and working in quarries. In the 17th century, Mucuna found usage in the Floridian region as a plant that helped to keep soil fertile and feeding pigs and other ruminants. Traditionally and presently, mucuna pruriens is also used to curb the spread of weeds in farms, and during mulching. These days mucuna pruriens is famous for its natural L-dopa content and used as a health supplement.

• Please note it is against MHRA guidelines for us to talk about any potential health benefits for this supplement however a quick google search on the potential benefits and you may be surprised.

Check out this interesting article about how Mucuna pruriens helps bodybuilders!

How To Use

We suggest taking 1 teaspoon up to 4 times split up over the period of the day, you can mix the powder with hot or cold water, in juices or smoothies, or take as directed by your healthcare practitioner,.