Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) is a popular medicinal tropical legume plant used in Ayurvedic medicine. Also commonly known as Velvet Bean, it has original roots in Eastern India, Africa, and tropical China. It is popularly known as a “green crop” that is a successful food source in the vegetable category, with a long history in the herbal medicine category. 

Humans, animals, and the soil all benefit from the crop. Around the world, Mucuna is grown easily, and it gives nutrition back to the soil. It helps to repair low nitrogen in soil, and this amazing plant actually supports healthy fertilization of the ground soil. Animals feed on the entire plant, which is commonly dried and fed as a staple. 

Raw velvet bean seeds contain protein, having a mixed bitter/sweet taste. It is known to have a warming action on the body, with energy and vitality benefits. As a food source, the beans of the Mucuna plants are commonly eaten and known as Benguk. They can be fermented to a tempeh consistency known as Benguk tempe, which has a bitter-sweet but pleasant taste. The pod of Mucuna is popularly consumed as a vegetable source for humans, and the raw velvet bean seeds contain crude fiber and crude protein. 

In many tribal communities, Mucuna has historic roots as an antidote for snake bites, sexual dysfunction, and improving sperm count and motility.

Mucuna is an established herbal remedy used for the management of male infertility, nervous disorders, and also as an aphrodisiac. In addition, experts report, “Mucuna has been investigated as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease, due to its high L-dopa content, while the seeds have been recognized for their ability to significantly alleviate neurotoxicity associated with the condition.”

The Mucuna beans are well known around the world as a natural aphrodisiac, providing support for sexual dysfunction for men, as well as for having positive effects on mood.

Although velvet bean is GRAS, it is advised to avoid its use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Also, it is known to have a mild blood pressure reduction action, so those on hypertension medicine should be aware of this possibility and, as always with herbal remedies, have a discussion with a personal healthcare practitioner.

Another caution with the plant is its ability to produce red swollen, itchy bumps on the skin after contact with the plant and pods. There are hairlike fibers on the pods and leaves that contain serotonin and a protein known as mucunain, which is the cause of the itching reaction. Even the flowers themselves can cause itchiness. Nonetheless, this plant’s popularity has remained strong.