Introduction:
M.pruriens grows in tropical regions like India and the Bahamas. It is also known as cowhage. L-dopa (levodopa), present in cowhage, is a medication that is helpful in treating Parkinson's disease (a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement). L-dopa is disintegrated in the body before it reaches the brain. Hence, special chemicals are taken along with it. These chemicals require the prescription of a physician and are not present naturally in M.pruriens.
Why Is Mucuna Pruriens a Popular Supplement?
Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) is one of the native vegetable plants belonging to the tropical and subtropical climates of Africa, South America, and the Asian regions. This plant source is a member of the Fabaceae family and M. pruriens is specifically one among the multiple species of Mucuna that one would come across in nature.
Colloquially, in commercial markets, the plant M. pruriens, or rather the leguminous source goes by the name velvet bean or cowhage. M. pruriens is classified under the nutritional category of legumes and also has its roots in the ancient Indian Ayurvedic system of wellness and medicine. The Indian botanical name of this herb is Kapikacchu and is a very famous herb used in Ayurveda. Its aphrodisiac (a substance that increases sexual desire, performance, and potency) properties and its role as a neurotransmitter in boosting both cognitive as well as sexual wellness have made this a popular herb in the current Ayurvedic field or system of medicine.
M. pruriens or the velvet bean can be either consumed as a food or is available commercially in supplement form. Because this herb is known to comprise multiple nutrients, bioactive compounds, or antioxidants that hold promising potential for human health, it has gained global popularity even in many developing countries. Its supplemental or food-based composition is rich in amino acids, polyphenol antioxidants, lecithin compounds, gallic acid, tannins, and beta-sitosterol. M.pruriens is known to be immensely beneficial in Ayurvedic wellness due to the following reasons:
- Snake bite treatment.
- Pain.
- Rheumatic disease (medical conditions that affect the joints and the supporting tissues like the bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles).
- Gonorrhea infection.
- Gout (a kind of arthritis that results in sudden and severe pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness in the joints).
- Abdominal discomfort and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation.
What Does Research Say About the Presence of L-Dopa in Mucuna Pruriens?
According to present nutrition research, medical experts believe that M. pruriens or velvet bean is just like any other herb used for remedial purposes and is not documented in human models with extensive results to establish its efficacy or any of its purported benefits that have been listed above. This fact could be disappointing for many individuals who consume this herb as a food or supplement recommended by alternative medicine practitioners. Hence, there is a need currently to establish the scientific benefits in human models as most of the research studies point to its limited effectiveness in animal models.
M. pruriens contains one of the pivotal compounds called Levodopa (L-dopa), which is a precursor to the dopamine chemical or hormone in the body. Dopamine is a neurochemical that is naturally produced by the body cells and is in fact beneficial in the treatment of neurocognitive diseases like Parkinson's disease. Research has investigated the possible benefits of the L-dopa precursor compound that is found in M. pruriens or velvet bean for the management of Parkinson's disease through alternative medicine forms.
Antidepressant effects have been highlighted in mice models because of the presence of L-dopa in M. pruriens which has the ability to boost dopamine levels. Similarly, anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects have been exhibited in rat models through different animal research studies. However, the major drawback of the research investigation is that these purported benefits are not clearly established in human subjects, which calls for more investigations.
The other benefit of L-dopa present in M. pruriens is its ability to boost spermatogenesis (the process of production of sperm cells in the testes) or healthy sperm production, which again is seen more in animal models that are infertile, compared to human control groups. Limited human research exists regarding the possible potential of M. pruriens in boosting sperm activity. This again necessitates scientific investigation to prove this particular benefit in human beings.
What Are the Common Side Effects Associated With Mucuna Pruriens?
Given its importance in Ayurvedic medicine and wellness, it is indeed surprising that M.pruriens is still marketed widely without knowing its long-term safety implications or concerns.
It is to be noted by consumers according to the advice of global nutritional experts that L-dopa supplements or their consumption as food should only be recommended by a registered healthcare professional like an alternative medicine practitioner. However, it is to be noted further that safety concerns exist despite being recommended by some practitioners because there are currently several side effects associated with L-dopa such as:
- Vomiting.
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Abdominal cramps.
- Gastrointestinal discomfort.
- Headache.
Are the Effects Linked to L-Dopa Or Mucuna Pruriens?
Though research facts do not elicit the direct link between M. pruriens consumption and its side effects, medical research highlights that these side effects can be possible in healthy individuals who consume L-dopa supplements.
In individuals who take these supplements over the counter or without guidance from an allopathic professional such as a physician or a registered nutritionist, severe side effects would be common with L-dopa over a while such as sudden delusions, mental agitation, mood swings, confusion, irritability, and hallucinations. Medical case reports have also been documented regarding the severe side effects of L-dopa such as psychosis (when individuals lose contact with reality).
Further, these supplements or dietary foods would be of definitive threat to high-risk population groups like infants, pregnant, lactating women, and the geriatric or elderly populations. Ingestion of raw seeds or the hairs present on the velvet bean or M. pruriens can lead to skin allergies, skin irritation, hives, gastrointestinal symptoms or in severe cases can cause amnesia (memory loss) or even anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction) as reported in very few cases.
Conclusion:
To conclude, M. pruriens or velvet beans taken either as food or as supplements need a lot of scientific investigation according to current research to know its immune, reproductive, or other wound healing benefits that are propagated in Ayurvedic wellness and medicine. Though M. pruriens itself may be healthy as illustrated in Ayurvedic wellness, more research evidence is needed to prove its medicinal benefits. Without prior consultation from a registered healthcare professional or a nutritionist, it is not advisable to consume L-dopa in any form.
