I tried a 15% product from Now and didn't feel anything different but there were other ingredients involved aside from mucuna.

Shetawk-
If you have not already done so, go back through this thread and read of your "ancestors' " experiences. If you decide to go ahead, be cautious at first. If your reaction to sinemet was to ldopa per se then it could happen again and you will be glad that you started low. As to dose, I will give you two figures. The first is the minimum that it seems to require to have an effect on me, personally. That is about one tablespoon or about seven grams. (That is rough due to the classic mass/volume problem that made Einstein look like he did. )

The other figure is that which is in the published research and is 30 grams. I find that to be too much and makes me dyskinetic.

With mucuna always keep in mind that you are using a far more complex substance than simply L-dopa. It contains dozens of compounds that act together and which are probably eliminated by most "extraction" processes. Tread carefully and add what you learn to this thread.

Thank you.

Since I'm sensitive I took 1/4 teaspoon yesterday and felt nothing. 1/2 teaspoon today didn't either. Will do full spoonful next.

Any suggestions?

How long should I wait between doses?

I bought the mucuna from Banyan and it's gray, not black and tastes like wheat-grass juice. Does this sound right?

It turns black once it gets wet and is exposed to the air. Dosing varies so much that one must inch it up patiently. I would be tempted to try one dose in the morning and a second mid-afternoon.

I use Zandopa, which is a product of India..It is grey, and it doesnt turn black when I put it in water

I have been Taking 600 mgs of Stalevo for about 3 years..If I add 1/2 teaspoon of Zandopa per day, I can do challeging things that I cannot do without it

I was a full time commercial fisherman most of my life, and Zandopa allows me to still go out 3 days per week..Shellfishing is hard work, and without the boost that Zandopa gives me, I would not be able to do it..I was dx 2004, symptomatic since 2002

We are like Steve, we take Banyan mucuna when we need a boost or the sinemet is just not hitting. A full teaspoon usually does the trick, mixed in water (bleh) or milk (this is how they take it in India, I have read). Best way is mixed in a strawberry smoothie made with milk and strawberries

It hits much faster than sinemet, but will also leave off much faster too. Be sure to factor it in with your rx drugs, to keep track of how much ldopa you are taking each day.

BTW, have not ever noticed any dyskinesias from mucuna.

Here is a RECIPE FOR MUCUNA BALLS :
In a medium saucepan mix:
2/3 C stevia tea (can use any sweetened juice)
1/3 C cocoa powder (can do part carob powder or all carob)
1/4 C powder milk
1/4 C smart balance spread or butter
Bring this to a boil and simmer 3 minutes
Then, quickly add 1 teas vanilla extract
1/3 C peanut butter (I use Smuckers Natural that has to be stirred)
1/8 C Ground oatmeal
1/2 C mucuna powder
2 TBS agave syrup
2 pkts TruVia sweetener
1/2 C ground pumpkin seed
1/8 C ground flax seed
Mix together quickly.. If mix is too wet to make balls ...add more ground oatmeal/
Make 66 balls /(walnut size) if too dry add alittle more juice
It should stick together like cookie balls. You can substitute anything you like for things in this recipe...play with it and get the taste you like (date sugar/ sorghum molasses are good. A half Cup of mucuna powder divided into 66 pretty even balls should give you about 30 mg l-dopa each if I figured right....anyone else messed with this has has a different measure...please let me know. I have squashed and dehydrated the balls so they don't have to be frozen and are more portable for going away from home. I still keep them in the freezer until needed so they maintain medicinal value. Hope this makes sense
I personally only use a mucuna bean or ball when I have to do something I can't normally do...like pull-start a weedeater or lawn mower / or like today may eat one because I have old hay to fork and move to the garden (2 big round bales that are old and decomposing that a neighbor just put over the fence line for me) Fava tincture just seems to be exactly what I need in normal everyday life..mucuna is great support for speed and power for me, but I still just take only one ball or one frozen steamed bean. Blessings.

The first time I tried it, I filled up that red measuring scoop that is inside the container, mixed it with some water, and drank it..My God, it tasted like drinking a pile of sand, but I was symptom free for 6 hours..I felt like I was 20 years old again..Untill it wore off, rather abruptly..that was a rude awakeming..I think I took a little bit too much..I didnt take any Sinemet with it

What I have noticed is that I suspect that the Entacapone in the Stalevo seems to stretch it out, and I go off a bit faster than usual, at the end of the day, and I do get some dyskensia, from the Stalevo, but it doesnt last as long..A half teaspoon does it for me, and Im good for the day..I have never gone off in the middle off the day when I do take it, even when I take my Stalevo late..When I am out in the boat I tend to lose track of the time, and have taken my Stalevo 2 hours late a few times, without going off..Without mucuna I would never get away with being that late inbetween doses..I'd be a statue within 30 minutes

Hi there,

I have some dopa bean tablets(solaray brand) which I bought for my Dad. Has anyone taken this? Does anyone think it would help with tremor?

My Dad was diagnosed three years ago and his main symptoms are tremors in hands. The neuro has not put him on meds yet.

Thanks,

Hi there,

Just seeing if anyone has a response to my question below.

Thanks!