I have not taken PD pharmaceuticals...after doing research decided totally against ever taking any. My brother has PD also and is on everything going it seems.....As soon as I discovered how well the fava tops tincture worked for me ...I took some to him. He was afraid to take it and took it to the VA. They said "Is your sister a doctor? No, don't take it...we are taking care of you. So, he didn't and gave it back to me a year later . Sad.
I don't think he would be in the shape he is in now..2 more broken ribs this week from falling. I continue to have possitive results just using the fava plant tops tincture,and fava sprout balls/ and occasionally mucuna if I require more strength and speed ...like starting a pull weedeater . These are my l- dopa supplements that I use as needed. When my neck and shoulders begin to tense up and hurt or my left arm stops swinging or right knee stops picking up my foot.,etc....within 5 or 10 minutes I'm ok again.
I feel that the fermented papaya that I make for myself plays a big part in keeping me on top of it all , too . I also eat very fresh homegrown organic vegies...I am a grazer in the garden. Now that I have a large greenhouse set up on the farm...hope to have fresh vegies year round and be able to continue my experimnts in the winter with favas.
I highly recomend the book "Natural Therapies for Parkinson's Disease" by Dr Laurie Mischley...I feel she is "right on" and suggests many of the things I have found works for me. God is good and has created all we need . Blessings Aunt Bean
(for l-dopa supplementation)

Aunt Bean, thanks so much for the info. I was dx'd six mos. ago, though I think I started being symptomatic --just didn't notice it--at least three years prior. Anyway, six mos. ago, the neurologist quickly diagnosed me, handed me a Rx for I think segiline? Which I never filled and haven't seen him since. So, I am, by choice,medication-naive. I want to go the natural route until the bitter end if possible. I am on a small plot of land and want to emulate you, on a small scale, of course. So thanks for all the info and wisdom you so generously provide.

I find this fascinating. I don't deal with PD but just posted recently on Mucuna Dopa for a new member. We have a middle eastern market here in my town and they sell fava beans in a can. They are tasty. Foods are medicine.

I love my grape seed extract which I take now 20 yrs.

there is a slight risk for some people when eating fava beans.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/23...ns-depression/

there is much less l-dopa in fava beans than mucana. if there was a lot people wouldn't be able to eat them, they would get nausea. aunt bean describes processing the flowers, not eating the beans.

keep in mind that with mucana you really have no idea what you are getting, even if it says organic and lists a country. anything can be in that ground flour.

Since this thread was written ...my brother passed on about 2 years ago. He had severe heart trouble along with PD problems. He never would try the tincture that I make from the top buds of the fava plant which have successfully kept me symptom-free for so long. Sometimes I go too long without taking any and all sorts of things start happening.. the foot drag/ no left arm swing...actually it comes up in front of me like a puppy begging/ trouble swallowing/ dry cough/ being off balance/ pain in shoulders and neck pulling me forward...etc. But no symptoms when I keep my L-dopa level up sufficiently. I also make fermented papaya and eat egg plants/ peppers and green tomatoes that Glen Pettibone has discovered help open up the dopamine receptors so that they catch what I throw to them. Glen is an awesome researcher!. Since L-dopa is water soluble...we are now working on a distiller to see if plant water will do the same thing as brandy tincture. Pray for guidance as we start new experiments with the homemade distiller my precious husband is working on for me. He is amazing....no problem too tuff to solve or tackle. Blessings ....Have a great day...smile and make someone happy today. Get some sunshine and exercise. Love ya Aunt Bean