Mucuna pruriens on the website of an expert neurologist.
 

I hope I don't repeat the information. He is a neurologist, a good writer and very rigorous (he comments on heterodoxy without abandoning the strictest orthodoxy, but without failing to see the obvious). Probably one of the greatest experts on Mucuna pruriens, author of an essential book on the most studied natural source of levodopa (more than 200 studies, some randomized controlled trials, RCT. And with all its content available for free on a webpage in Spanish and English).

The best source of information I know about this bean so rich in natural levodopa is the book and page of a prestigious Spanish neurologist, who has a practice in Granada (Spain), the beautiful city of the Alhambra.


Mucuna vs. Parkinson. Treatment with natural levodopa.

Mucuna vs Parkinson | Treatment with natural Levodopa

It gives information about what it is, the doses and brands, ways of taking it. Although he always recommends doing it under the guidance of a neurologist, he knows that there are patients who will do it on their own and he gives some guidelines to do it as well as possible. I think this is a very interesting prudent and pragmatic view.

Mucuna, in comparison to Sinemet:

- it acts more rapidly (34 minutes instead of 68);
- produces a greater elevation of the plasma level of levodopa (110% higher);
- appears to be stronger (the effectiveness of natural levodopa is double or triple that of the synthetic version);
- the improvement achieved is more durable (with mucuna the “on” phase is prolonged 37 minutes longer than with Sinemet).

For those who doubt the science behind Mucuna:

1) Prestigious neurologists like Olanow and Lees have studied and even patented a form of Mucuna. Other experts like Pruthi, Suresh, Fung, Manyam, Katzenslager or González Maldonado have also studied it in depth.

2) A randomized, double-blind, crossover, clinical study and complies with the strict requirements laid down by the most rigorous scientific methodology established by the Quality Committee of the American Academy of Neurology and was carried out by several independent observers.

Katzenschlager (2004). Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson’s disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.

3) Neurologists of four centers screened patients using the appropriate scales (UPDRS) and found considerable improvement that was statistically confirmed.

Parkinson’s Disease Study Group, PDSG (1995). An alternative medicine treatment for Parkinson’s disease: results of a multicenter clinical trial. HP-200 in PD Study Group. J Altern Complement Med.


A very interesting video with English subtitles, halfway between Neurology and Anthropology. The neurologist takes a trip to the Amazon to treat a patient with serious mobility problems:

Mucuna in AMAZONIA ENGLISH subtitles - YouTube

I don't have Parkinson's but happened to notice your post. We have to be cautious about any recommended supplement because supplements aren't well regulated, at least here in the US. And there are people who are taking many different supplements--far too many, in the opinion of quite a few medical practitioners.

So just to be on the safe side, there is this about Mucuna pruriens (AKA cowhage):

Cowhage: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning

And this:

Science of Mucuna Pruriens for Treating Parkinson’s | APDA

Good advice here, I think:

Parkinson's Foundation

Hey Jesus,

I've noticed that its possible to buy powdered velvet bean or mucuna pruriens from Amazon.

Would you recommend taking it to prevent Parkinsons? I note that it is a precursor to dopamine and therefore a mood enhancer. Do you have any thoughts on that?

I'm mixing some in to my morning porridge.

Atty