Mucuna Pruriens

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    Wyatt Brown, Katherine Nguyen

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    Gregory Lopez, Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: February 21, 2024

    Mucuna pruriens, or velvet bean, is a tropical legume known for its high content of L-DOPA, a direct precursor to dopamine. Preliminary research suggests that supplementation with Mucuna pruriens may reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

    50 references on this page
    40 participants in 3 trials

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Most trials looking at the effects of Mucuna pruriens on symptoms of Parkinson's disease or male infertility have used daily doses ranging between 5 and 45 grams of adequately prepared seed powder, corresponding to approximately 200 mg to 1,500 mg of L-DOPA.

    Preparations of Mucuna pruriens, which contain L-DOPA, may be 2–3 times more potent than an equivalent dose of isolated L-DOPA (when not combined with carbidopa). Mucuna pruriens should not be used in conjunction with medications containing L-DOPA; combining the two could potentially result in excessively high dopamine levels, leading to adverse effects. Also, the potential blood-glucose-lowering properties of Mucuna pruriens mean that it could interact with diabetes medications.

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. Parkinson's Disease Symptoms - Roberto Cilia, Janeth Laguna, Erica Cassani, Emanuele Cereda, Benedetta Raspini, Michela Barichella, Gianni PezzoliDaily intake of Mucuna pruriens in advanced Parkinson's disease: A 16-week, noninferiority, randomized, crossover, pilot studyParkinsonism Relat Disord.(2018 Apr)
    2. Parkinson's Disease Symptoms - Roberto Cilia, Janeth Laguna, Erica Cassani, Emanuele Cereda, Nicolò G Pozzi, Ioannis U Isaias, Manuela Contin, Michela Barichella, Gianni PezzoliMucuna pruriens in Parkinson disease: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover studyNeurology.(2017 Aug 1)
    3. Parkinson's Disease Symptoms - Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A, Patsalos PN, Ratnaraj N, Watt H, Timmermann L, Van der Giessen R, Lees AJMucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological studyJ Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.(2004 Dec)