Mucuna pruriens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mucuna pruriens - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

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Medicinal uses

The seeds of Mucuna Pruriens have been used for treating many dysfunctions in Tibb-e-Unani (Unani Medicine), the traditional system of medicine of Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent. It is also used in Ayurvedic medicine. M. pruriens has been shown to improve dopamine levels in rats.^[4]

The plant and its extracts have been long used in tribal communities as a toxin antagonist for various snakebites. Research on its effects against Naja spp. (cobra),^[5] Echis (Saw scaled viper),^[6] Calloselasma (Malayan Pit viper) andBangarus (Krait) ^[7] have shown it has potential use in the prophylactic treatment of snakebites.

M. pruriens seeds have also been found to have antidepressant properties in cases of depressive neurosis when consumed.^[8] and formulations of the seed powder have shown promise in the management and treatment ofParkinson's disease.^[9]

Dried leaves of M. pruriens are sometimes smoked.^[1] The herb contains L-DOPA, a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. The L-DOPA content increases when extracts are prepared. L-DOPA converts into dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement.