Velvet Bean Plant Summary
Main Preparation Method: capsules or standardize extract

Main Actions (in order):
anti-Parkinson's, androgenic, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, anabolic

Main Uses:

1. for Parkinson's disease (contains natural L-dopa)
2. for impotency and erectile dysfunction
3. as an aphrodisiac and to increase testosterone
4. as a muscle builder and anabolic/androgenic aid to stimulate growth hormone
5. as a weight loss aid

Properties/Actions Documented by Research:
anabolic, androgenic, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson's, antispasmodic, antivenin, aphrodisiac, febrifuge (reduces fever), hormonal, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, immunomodulator, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain)

Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:
antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), antiparasitic, cough suppressant, blood cleanser, carminative (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), menstrual stimulant, uterine stimulant, vermifuge (expels worms)

Cautions: It contains L-dopa and has androgenic and hypoglycemic activity. See further cautions in next chapter.



much more at http://www.rain-tree.com/velvetbean.htm

This afternoon I filled some capsules with mucuna and gave it a new try. I have been in a pattern of being "off" more and more in the evenings and lately even into the afternoons. Not a happy camper.

So this evening I substituted for my 7:00 feeding of 2X4 mg requip plus 1x200/25 sinemet CR a pair of capsules containing 1 gr of mucuna bean powder each.

I am very pleased because it is now 11:00 PM and I am anything but "off" and have done well all evening.

I do have a couple of questions- First, if mucuna is about five percent l-dopa as claimed, then have ingested 50 mg in each capsule for a total of 100 mg sans carbidopa. I shouldn't feel a thing. And second, the studies have used doses up to 30 grams and I am testing just 2! So what am I overlooking?

Tomorrow will be interesting.

This one's for you, juanhch

Hello :

I use raw powder assuming it has 4% L-dopa (one tea spoon twice daily) and I always thought it has little or no impact on my symptoms which are mild any way. What you are reporting is amazing but I am wondring if the capsule has higher L-dopa % as usually capsules contain 15 to 50 % L-dopa . Can you check this?

from a bag of raw powder.

went to bed at 11;30 still on. up at 1:30 to the loo and was off. now just up at 8:00 and in a little better shape than usual.

just took 2 mucuna and 3 ginseng. if i am on before 9;00 am it willl be imrovement.

... with my best wishes that the +ve effects will continue ..

for the experiment. Day got out of control but I did figure out that one needs a lille more to start the day. I will do a better job tomorrow.

Rick, where did you get the raw powder? Is it Zandopa (HP200)? That's what they used in a clinical trial.
Thanks.


Research Article
Bioavailability of L-DOPA from HP-200 - a Formulation of Seed Powder of Mucuna pruriens (Bak): a Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study

Abstract
HP-200, a formulation made from the seed powder of Mucuna pruriens, contains among other constituents, about 4% L-DOPA. After five normal human volunteers were each given a single oral dose of 30 g of HP-200, plasma samples were obtained at 0, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 360 min for assay of L-DOPA by HPLC technique using electrochemical detection. The supine systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded at each sampling time.

The results indicate that on oral administration, L-DOPA was absorbed from HP-200 with plasma peak levels (Cmax=1.56±0.163 g/mL) achieved at Tmax=83±16.09 min. The plasma half life was 102±2 min and the auc was determined as 6.508±0.421 g/h/mL.

The pharmacokinetic profile of HP-200 exhibited characteristics similar to formulations of synthetic L-DOPA, except for the lack of a sharp peak. HP-200, a new herbal formulation, appears to be suitable for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/c...22064/ABSTRACT

"Doses of HP-200 were started at 7.5 grams (which provided a standardized amount of levodopa), three times a day. Doses were then increased at weeks two and four to obtain the best response. The average daily dose by the end of the 12-week study was 45 grams of HP-200. Side effects were minimal. Those who had not taken levodopa medications prior to the study, tolerated HP-200 best."

I don't know when improvements were first seen and at what dose.

http://content.herbalgram.org/wholef...ew.asp?i=42085

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF MUCUNA HERE (2007):

http://www.phcogrev.com/issue1/19.pdf

Article says mucuna contains NADH and COQ10 and it increased mitochondrial Complex 1 activity.

I looked at Zandopa and may try it later, but thought I would start out with the cheap stuff. Less than 20 bucks a pound. If I end up taking five grams a day (seems a reasonable figure at this point) then that's about three month's worth. Given that so many of us are struggling with fixed incomes, it would be good to have this option. And given the screwy world we live in, having a couple of pounds in the freezer could be a blessing. <Lord, that sentence would have once had an entirely different meaning. > Mucuna wil get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no mucuna.

You know, with the whole bean powder we may not be simply dealing with l-dopa alone. If HP-200 <"I bought one of those at Radio Shack years ago...."> is altered to increase l-dopa content there may be ingredients mssing.

Hello Zflower:
It is good if high dose up to 45 gm is safe (although the first link you posted did not work with me). I am trying to use minimum dose presently (3 tea spoons of raw powder daily) and will increase as needed. I have more faith in raw powder rather than extract hoping it has more goodies than present research tell
Hello Rick : You are doing very valuable experiment and I am sure many of us are following up with earnest and hope