Mucuna Pruriens

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    Wyatt Brown, Katherine Nguyen

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    by:

    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.

    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)