Mucuna pruriens: The Little-Known Bean with Big Benefits

Mucuna pruriens, velvet bean, dopamine bean, magic bean. This plant native to Africa has many names, and for good reasons. You may or may not have heard of mucuna, it’s not as popular as an herb like Ashwagandha. But the herbal remedy is being touted for a number of its wellness properties. It’s used to support fertility, libido and even testosterone levels. In Ayurvedic medicine, it has historically been used to support neuroprotectivion. Here is everything that you need to know about mucuna and why it might be something that should add to your wellness routine.

What is Mucuna?:

A purple climbing shrub that has many names–monkey tamarind, Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowage, cowitch, lacuna bean, and Lyon bean. Native to southern China and Eastern India, it has become one of the most popular green crops currently in the Tropics. Traditionally used as a food source in various cultures, this legume offers unique nutritional benefits. But be careful when approaching as the pods are itchy to the touch, much like poison ivy. Beyond the rough first impression, it has much to offer. (Similar to what I say on my dating profile).

L-Dopa, a non-protein amino acid found in the legume’s seeds, is the key constituent we’ll focus on. As a powerful precursor to dopamine, L-Dopa is believed to aid the body's antioxidant capacity, support cognitive function, aid in libido, and support overall well-being. 

Mucuna is often used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is an ancient practice used in India that is all about balancing the body’s doshas in a natural way. An imbalance in one area can affect another. The seeds, either black or white, have been used to support any number of ailments for over two thousand years. Mucuna is often taken as a capsule, powder, or tincture.1

The Benefits of Mucuna:

The science behind mucuna is growing, though there is still much more research to be done. Here is a look at the benefits backed by research thus far.

Supports Dopamine Levels

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is the actual “happy hormone”. It sometimes get a bad rap because it’s associated with the brain’s reward system–especially when it comes to substances. But dopamine isn’t all about drugs; it’s also released during positive experiences like a hug, intimate connection or trying something new. The key is to support dopamine in healthy and sustainable ways.  

That’s where mucuna comes in. Mucuna contains the L-dopa which is a precursor to dopamine. According to a study published in 2018, mucuna pruriens improved dopamine levels significantly.

Dopamine is involved in so much more than just mood — it plays a role in movement, memory, attention, sleep, arousal, learning, and more. Supporting dopamine in a healthy, balanced way can have a huge impact on cognitive function and overall well-being — which is more important now than ever

Support Testosterone

Testosterone is a crucial hormone in the body that is largely responsible for sex drive, bone mass, strength, sperm production, and red blood cells in men. Interestingly, Mucuna also was shown in a 2011 study to support testosterone levels.3  If you’re looking for a natural way to support healthy testosterone levels, this powerful legume might be worth adding to your daily supplement routine to help improve workouts, body composition, and overall mood.

Brain Function

Mucuna Pruriens is well known for supporting dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps with brain function and mental health. It is associated with the “pleasure centers” of the brain and supporting the feeling of well being and contentment. Mucuna has also been shown to help reduce stress levels, according to a study published in 2007.5 Supporting healthy stress levels will help with overall well-being and is also important for maintaining healthy testosterone levels.

Male Fertility

Another place where there is ample research is in male fertility. The following 4 studies has shown that Mucuna can support healthy sperm quality, motility and concentration.2,3,5, 6  It’s also been shown to reduce stress and prolactin levels in sperm — both of which can impact fertility. Now, Mucuna may not be the end-all, be-all for fertility issues, but if you’re struggling in this area, it’s definitely something worth discussing with your primary care physician that may offer support.

And while animal studies don’t always translate perfectly to humans, I thought this one was too interesting not to share: a study published in the Journal of Tropical Animal Health and Production found that when Mucuna was given to rabbits, it actually improved their sexual performance. The authors wrote that “it appears [Mucuna] is a potential enhancer of male reproductive performance that can be recommended to rabbit farmers for improving reproductive performance and quality of semen, hence a boon to reproduction and production in the rabbit farming industry.”¹⁰

I’m not sure if rabbits needed the extra boost… but hey, it can’t hurt, right?

Supports Libido

Along similar lines, Mucuna has also been used traditionally to support sex drive. Also important for fertility, without the sex drive, it can seem like a chore to, well, you know.

This may be due to the increase in dopamine in the body, increased testosterone, or the lower of stress hormones, all of which can impact sex drive. While only in vivo, and in vitro studies have been performed for this, Mucuna is promising for supporting libido.

UMZU's MUCUNA

For a powerful source of Mucuna make sure to check out UMZU's Mucuna supplement!

Our Mucuna supplement contains all-natural Mucuna pruriens seed extract with 20% L-DOPA, which is the precursor to dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the body that is responsible for promoting well-being, focus, enjoyment, and interest in life. Supplementing with Mucuna may help support your dopamine production.

Conclusion

If you haven’t heard of Mucuna pruriens before, now’s the time to give this magic bean a serious look. Whether you're aiming to support your mood, naturally support healthy testosterone levels, aid libido, or simply add a powerful adaptogen to your daily routine, Mucuna might be exactly what you’ve been missing.

Rich in naturally occurring L-Dopa, a direct precursor to dopamine, Mucuna pruriens not only helps support motivation, focus, and a positive mood, but it has also been traditionally used to support fertility, vitality, and hormonal balance.

So if you’re seeking a natural way to support both mind and body, from mental clarity to physical performance, this humble legume could be a game-changer.