Mucuna Pruriens also is commonly known as velvet bean, is an herb that has been used for centuries in India. It is known as Kapikacchu in Ayurveda the ancient Indian Vedic medical science. It is known as Kevach in Hindi. The use of this herb has carried into modern medicine due to its vast range of uses.
Mucuna is known as a Yang and Jing herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to TCM this herb helps to restore the urinary system, improves functions of the reproductive system, and boosts cognitive functions. TCM practitioners recommend using this herb for boosting sexual health, libido, sex drive, and sperm count.
Ayurvedic medicinal properties of this plant are explained as follows
It is heavy to digest ( guru ) and improves the moistness of tissues (snigdha). It has both sweet ( madhura ) and bitter (tikta ) tastes. But tastes sweet (madhura rasa ) after digestion. It is hot in nature and boosts Agni. It is an aphrodisiac with a special quality (prabhava). It balances all three doshas viz Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
This herb is an annual twinner, with slender branches and belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Fruits are hairy and cause irritation when touched. The seeds, roots, and hair of this plant are mainly used for medicinal purposes. Health benefits of kapikacchu are as follows.
Helps to Improve Stamina and Energy in Males
Ayurveda scholars praise this herb as “vrushya” (aphrodisiac ) and “balya” (strengthening). They recommend using this herb in Vajikarana Therapy. Ayurvedic practitioners with their experience opine that this herb helps to improve sexual power, premature ejaculation, tiredness, and fatigue. For this kapikacchu Powder can be consumed twice daily with a cup of warm milk.
This is also useful for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction and low libido due to diabetes. Mucuna not only help to improve blood sugar level but also increase erection time.
A study shows this herb helps in improving erection quality and supports its use in Vajikarana Therapy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29447059/
This herb is used along with other stamina and energy-boosting ayurvedic medicines like ashwagandha, Gokshura (tribulus), Vidarikand (Indian Kudzu), Shatavari, shilajit, etc to improve sexual functions in males. Rejunol capsule with shilajit is an Ayurvedic medicine to boost stamina and energy. This capsule contains the most potent stamina and energy-boosting ayurvedic herbs.
Helps with Anxiety and Depression
This herb is especially lauded as “vataghni” and “vatahara” for its vata-balancing properties. According to the principles of Ayurveda, Neurological problems like anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness arise due to an imbalance of vata dosha. The herb Kapikacchu is especially recommended to pacify vata imbalances that happen in neurological problems.
As said earlier this herb contains high levels of naturally occurring L-dopa, which is the precursor to dopamine. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter that is essential for sleep, memory, mood, mental functions, and calming the nervous system. Research has also shown that seeds of this herb have an anti-anxiety effect and significantly help in anxiety-related issues like depression and insomnia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4213977/
Helps in the management of obesity and weight loss issues
According to texts of Ayurveda, this herb helps to increase the bulk of stool ( bahu mala) and this helps to relieve constipation which usually occurs in obese people. Since this herb is heavy to digest (guru), it stays in the stomach for a long time and prevents frequent hunger pangs.
This herb exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic properties. Since this herb improves levels of dopamine, which acts directly in controlling hunger and satiety, it can help in weight loss. Apart from this mucuna helps to overcome anxiety and depression that are present in obese people. It also increases the sense of well-being. These facts are justified through research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7730813/
Helps with Parkinson’s Disease
Mucuna is used as a powerful neuro-protectant to treat conditions that are stemmed from the brain and nervous system, one of the biggest being Parkinson’s disease. Research has shown that it is more effective than levodopa with a more favorable tolerability profile. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539737/
Helps in Body Building
Ayurveda acharyas price this herb as Bruhmani and Balya. This means the herb which increases body mass and improves strength. Hence this herb can be used along with ashwagandha, safed musli, and gokshura (Tribulus) to improve body mass and strength. Research also supports this fact. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738483/
Helps in Diabetes
Since it is bitter in taste, hot in potency, and normalizes tridosha, this herb can be used in madhu meha or diabetes. When diabetics use this herb, it helps to improve their strength, blood sugar level and sexual energy. It also quickly heals wounds in diabetic patients. Hence it is praised as “dushtavrana nashini”. A recent study clearly supports the traditional use of M. pruriens for the treatment of diabetes and indicates that the plant could be a good source of the potent antidiabetic drugs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21914541/
Dosage of Kapikacchu
The seed, root, and hairs of the pod are used for medicinal purposes in ayurvedic preparations. The common dosage of this herb is as follows.
Seed powder for adults – 6 grams.
Seed Extract for adults (in form of capsules ) – 250 – 500 mg, or as prescribed by physician.
Tea – 5 – 15 ml,.
Side Effects of Kapikacchu and Cautions
Conclusion about health benefits of Kapikacchu
After analyzing all research papers, we have concluded that this herb has the following benefits.
Improved Sleep
Improved Skin texture & appearance
Enhance sexual fluids and performance
Uplifting the mood
Calming the Nervous System
Neuro-protective
Increased metabolism
Strengthen Immune System
Supports the natural release of growth hormone
Helps to heal damaged nerves
