Capsule
Kaunch beej
Latin name: Mucuna Prurita
Family: Leguminosae
Common name: kapikacchu, markati, atmagupta
English name: cowhage
Habitat: it is found almost all over the
country
Macroscopic identification: It is
a slender extensive climbing plant with ovoid
seeds.
Parts used: seeds, roots and legumes
Pharmacological action: astringent,
anthelimentic, nervine tonic, aphrodisiac, diuretic,
vermifuge and stimulant, anodyne, antidotal,
psychedelic, and powerfully aphrodisiac
Actions and uses in ayurveda: vatavyadhi,
kampvata, klaivya, raktpitta, dustvrana, daurbalaya
Indications: in intestinal worms, leucorrhea,
spermatorrhea, dyspepsia, colic, hemiplegia,
and facial paralysis
Photochemical: An analysis of Kaunch
seeds has revealed that it has 9.1% moisture,
25.5% Protein, 2,96% Ether extract, 6.75% fibre
3.95% Minerals, 0.16% Calcium, 0.47% Phosphorus
and 0.02% Iron. Besides these, Kaunch
seeds have appreciable amount of L-DOPA and
small amount of Sulphur, Manganese, 4-Dihydroxy
Phenylalanine, Glutathayon, Lacithine, Galic
acid and glucoside.
Seeds of Kaunch also contain Nicotine, Prurinidyne
C8, H16, O2
N2 and Prurinidyne C6
and N3 alkaloids. Their combined
content is only 0.53%. These seeds also yield
dark brown coloured oil which contain 22.4%
saturated fatty acid (stearic and palmitic acid)
and 76.7% unsaturated fatty acid (oliac acid
and linolinic acid).
Properties and action:
Rasa: madhura, tikta
Guna: guru, snigdh
Virya: usna
Vipaka: madhura
Karma: vatasamna, vrsya, kaphapitta-hara,
brihan, raktdoshnasahk.
Preparations: oil, powder, paste, and
decoction.
Therapeutic classification index:
- Central nervous system: it is used
in paralysis, hemiplegia and other nervine
disorders and spasms associated with Parkinson's
or Bell's Palsy
- Digestive system: it is used in intestinal
worms and colic
- Reproductive system: it is used
as an aphrodisiac and is used in seminal weakness,
spermatorrhea.
- Genito- urinary system: it is used
in leucorrhea and profuse menstruation
Kaunch – an aphrodisiac
- A clinical study confirmed the efficacy
of the seeds in the management of Parkinson's
disease by virtue of their L-Dopa content,
the precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.(1)
Mucuna pruriens, recognized as an aphrodisiac
in Ayurveda, has been shown to increase testosterone
levels (2), leading to deposition of protein
in the muscles and increased muscle mass and
strength(3). It is also known to enhance mental
alertness and improve coordination(4). Isolated
chemicals include bufotenine and DMT
Use of Kaunch in Parkinson’s disease
Recently Dr. Bela Manyam, Professor of Neurology
at the Scott & White Clinic, Temple Texas,
part of the Texas A & M Medical School,
a National Parkinson Foundation Center of Excellence,
treated Parkinson patients with a powder made
from the whole bean of Mucuna pruriens. Mucuna
pruriens is a legume, and as a legume it's a
rich source of tocopherol, or Vitamin 'E.' Vitamin
'E' has a variety of beneficial effects.
Dose: powder 3-6 gms
capsule Kaunch beej contains pure Kaunch
beej
Dosage: one capsule twice a day.
Package 60 capsules
References:
- Prof P.V Sharma, Dravya Guna Vigyana, Vol
II, pg 569
- Dr.KM Nadkarni, The Indian Materia Medica,
Vol.I, pg 818-820
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India, Part
I, Vol.III, pg 23-24
