I have some misgivings about Zandopa, especially its "flavored base" which I suspect of containing aspartame, so my answer is about mucuna powder.

First, the studies talk of dosages as high as 30 gr. That's way too much for me. I take about a half-teaspoon with half a sinemet CR (200/50). That works for two to three hours.

A couple of things I have noticed- It is a blood thinner so be careful about mixing it with others. And it lowers blood sugar, which is probably good but watch out if you start your day with it. Take it with a meal. I use an empty pill bottle as a shaker and mix it with water, shake, and down the hatch. I mainly use it in the afternoon to bedtime period. You will probably need some trial and error to find what works for you.

As for being fearful, that is a good attitude. Just be sure it leads to caution but not paralysis. And whatever you do and under no circumstances should you read the package insert for your other meds.

I replied to you via personal email. Good luck. I still think MP (Zandopa powder) is far superior to Sinemet. I am amazed more people with pd have not tried it.

I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease and am still a bit shell shocked. I am 53. I do know that I am not keen to start on chemical meds and came across Macuna Pruriens. I live in South Africa and the only availability is from the Himalaya range. I am currently on Azilect but would like to NOT be on it. Help please!

I can identify with your frustration in an attempt to find a supplier of MP in South Africa. Even my attempt to order some over the internet from an overseas supplier was fruitless as the product was simply confiscated by local customs because I was “not registered importer of the product” The good news is that I have just received my first order of organic MP powder from Eureka Life, Centurion – you will find the number in the telephone directory.

i am glad I came across this thread. I thought it was my imagination to feel so good while cutting back on Stalevo. I had been using Puriens off and on -- store bought VItamin Shoppe - but not seriously. I decided to up the amt, two pills 3 x a day along with other supplement. After abt a week I just listened to my body and wound up taking only 2 stalevo in 48 hours, down from the usual 8-10. I ran out of the Pruriens and back came the Stalevo. Now waiting for delivery to restart. Interested in seeing if I get similar results upon resuming the Mucuna

Everett knows me and understands i am not the type to jump on the hope-for parade. But for disclosure this is what i have been doing ==

dose / times a day

2 x 3 Mucuna PRuriens
2 x 2 Maca
3 x 1 High T for seniors
2 x 2 B6
2 x 2 Korean ginseng
20-30 min daily Qi Gong,,, variation of Soarinig Crane and also 8 Pieces of Brocade

seems to work for me your mileage may vary

This is a fascinating thread, and one of great interest to me- I am about to start Mucuna and my circumstances are different to most on this thread. I am on no meds at all and have been diagnosed for over 2 1/2 yrs. I know only one other person who has done this, and he has given me invaluable advice. He himself has not long started. Is there anyone else whose first port of call was Mucuna? What effect did it have on your symptoms, and do you have any advice? Also what dosage did you find best? The person I am in touch with uses a very small amount, which seems the best advice.
Warm regards, Ladybird

Glad to have you aboard. Most folks try Big Pharma first and look with an open mind only after they become disilusioned. Please keep us informed. A couple of comments- A dose of about five grams (a tablespoon is roughly seven) was about right. The published studies used ten times that. Makes me wonder if the work was real or not. And when you do start, avoid things like Zandopa which claim to be "extracts". If they are extracts then they left something out and they don't know if it was important or not.