Benefits of Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna pruriens is an annual shrub that has long vines and is also called velvet bean, cowhage or cowitch. The seeds, leaves and roots of this particular shrub are used for providing its beneficial effects. Physicians in herbal medicines commonly use mucuna pruriens to treat Parkinson’s disease. The follow are major benefits of mucuna pruriens.
1. Enhances testosterone levels
Mucuna pruriens boasts of unique aphrodisiac powers and it enhances testosterone levels as well as libido. Indigenous people in Brazil and India used mucuna pruriens for this specific reason. This herb boasts of about 40 mg of L-Dopa in every gram, which increase testosterone in the body. An increase in the levels of testosterone boosts male and female libido.
2. Treats male infertility
Because of the dopamine inducing effects of mucuna pruriens, it is very effective in treating male infertility. Dopamine is an effective prolactin inhibitor, a hormone secreted by pituitary glands. Enhanced prolactin levels in the body are linked to erection failure, an uncomfortable male disorder. Oral intake of seeds of mucuna pruriens promotes sperm production and fertility. It also enhances erection and period of coitus following only one month of treatment.
3. Treats Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease refers an age linked neurodegenerative ailment that affects many people all over the world. It is linked to the gradual degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in certain areas of the brain. Dopamine treatments may not be effective as dopamine is usually unable to cross the powerful blood-brain barrier. However, mucuna pruriens provides a suitable alternative in the form of levodopa. Since levodopa is a natural type of dopamine, it is able to access the brain and it is then changed to dopamine.
Nevertheless, the high content of levodopa in mucuna pruriens could possibly cause intestinal pain and lead to certain stomach ailments like gas, bloating and constipation.
