Kaunch Beej

KAUNCH BEEJ (MUCUNA PRURIENS)

Parts Used: Seeds

Common Names: Kaunch / Velvet beans

Rasa (Taste): Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)

Guna (Qualities): Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Unctuous)

Veerya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka (Post Digestion Effect): Madhura (Sweet)

Karma (Pharmacological Activity): Aphrodisiac (Vrushya)

Bioactive Compounds: Mucunine, Mucunadine, Mucuadinine, Pruriendine and Nicotine, Besides ß-Sitosterol, Glutathione, Lecithin, Oils, Venolic, and Gallic Acid

Family: Fabaceae Subfamily: Faboideae Tribe: Phaseoleae

HABITAT

It is widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. The plants are native of Africa and tropical Asia where they are widely naturalized and grown since ages. The plant grows best in warm, moist conditions with abundant rain and on an altitude of about 1500 m or less.

INTRODUCTION

Kaunch beej (Mucuna Pruriensis) is a leguminous plant belonging to the Kaunch Beej tree- that looks similar to Rajma. Kaunch Beej is the Kapikacchu herb's seed, known for its high medicinal values. It also known as Poonaikali seeds in India's southern parts. Kaunch beej is an aphrodisiac that raises sperm count and quality, boosts sexual desire with its antidepressant properties, and increases testosterone levels in the blood. Kaunch had also been widely prescribed by ancient Indian medical practitioners as a libido enhancer in men as well as in women and as an aphrodisiac.

BENEFITS

Improves Sexual Weakness: Kaunch beej works as an aphrodisiac and helps in increasing sexual desire. It helps to improve sperm count and motility. It also helps to increase the production and quantity of semen. Apart from this, Kaunch beej helps reduce physiological stress and improves semen quality. This is due to its antioxidant property. Some studies state that Kaunch beej improves sexual performance by delaying the time of ejaculation.

Ayurvedic View: Kaunch beej is widely used for enhancing sexual power. It also improves the quality and quantity of semen because of its Guru (heavy) and Vrushya (aphrodisiac) properties.

Stress Booster & Energy Enhancer - Kaunch Beej helps to increase energy levels as well as increase the stamina of the body. It contains L-dopa, which gets converted to dopamine inside the body. Increased levels of dopamine increase the overall energy level of the body.

Ayurvedic View: Ayurvedically, Kaunch beej possesses Guru (heavy) and Vaishya (aphrodisiac) quality.

Helpful in Diabetes Management: Kaunch beej is anti-diabetic. It contains d-chiro-inositol which mimics the action of insulin. This helps in glucose metabolism. Kaunch beej has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in nature, which reduces free radical damage to the pancreas and also helps to manage other complications due to diabetes.

Ayurvedic View: Diabetes or Madhumeha causes weakness in the body, which is a common symptom. It is Balya (provides strength) by nature, which reduces weakness and gives energy to the body.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

it is a natural source of levodopa (L-DOPA) which is an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine which is used in Parkinsonism. It also gets converted to dopamine which helps elevate energy levels in the body, improve mood, sexuality, and co-ordination. This was done because of its dopamine inducing properties as dopamine is known for its positive influence on sexual activities.

CLINICAL STUDIES & REFERENCES

Shukla KK et al. Mucuna pruriens reduces stress and improves the quality of semen in infertile men. eCAM. 2010; 7(1):137-144
Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A. Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson’s disease: a double blindclinical and pharmacological study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 2004; 75: 1672–1677.
Kapikacchu contributed to improve anti Parkinsonism activity and creates tolerability in animals (Indian drugs V.33-9; p. 465-472, 1996).
Grino PB, Griffin JE, Wilson JD.Testosterone at high concentrations interacts with the human androgen receptor similarly to dihydrotestosterone.Endocrinology.1990.;126(2):1165-72.
Bhaskar A, Vidya VG, Ramya M. Hypoglycemic effect of Mucuna pruriens seed extract on normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Fitoterapia 2008; 79: 539-543