Mucuna Pruriens is a bean-like climbing herb belonging to the Fabaceae family that can grow up to 15 meters in length. This plant is found in India and other tropical and sub-tropical climates.
This tropical legume is also known as cowage, cowitch, and velvet bean. Concerning macronutrient profile, one-third of the bean is protein and is similar to lima bean and soya bean.
Mucuna Pruriens has been used since centuries for its health and sexual benefits. It is known to improve sexual performance and testicle size.
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Mucuna Pruriens and Testosterone Studies
Several animal and human trials have been conducted to understand the effect of Mucuna Pruriens supplementation on testosterone levels. Most of the studies have shown a positive correlation. Here is a summary of some of these studies.
Study: Effect of chronic L-dopa administration on serum luteinizing hormone levels in male rats
In this study, researchers administered high doses of L-DOPA in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose to male rats.
Results:
• Increased luteinizing hormone levels 4 hours after a single administration of 1000 mg/kg L-DOPA
• Increased serum LH levels and decreased serum prolactin levels 24 hours after administration of L-DOPA at 500 or 1000 mg/kg daily for 7 or 14 days
• Higher serum testosterone levels in treated rats compared to control group
• Higher dopamine levels in treated rats
Study: Mucuna Pruriens Reduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Mucuna pruriens in infertile men who were also under psychological stress. It included 60 participants who were undergoing infertility screening and were also found to be under psychological stress.
Stress levels were measured through both a questionnaire and tracking serum cortisol levels. Another group of 60 healthy and fertile men was used as the control group. Infertile participants were administered with 5 gm/day M. pruriens seed powder for three months. Semen parameters were measured before and after the study period.
Results
• Lower sperm count and motility in participants who were under psychological stress. Increased serum cortisol levels were elevated, and seminal plasma glutathione (GSH) was lower in this group.
• Treatment with Mucuna pruriens reduced psychological stress.
• Treatment also improved seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels as well as sperm count and motility.
• It was also noted that Mucuna pruriens can help increase testosterone levels through various mechanisms.
Study: Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis
The study included 75 males undergoing infertility screening and 75 healthy males. Their serum testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone levels, as well as seminal plasma and blood levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine were measured before and after the treatment.
Results:
• Improved Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone, adrenaline, dopamine and noradrenaline levels in infertile men
• Improved sperm count and motility
How does Mucuna Pruriens work?
Mucuna Pruriens bean is the most abundant known source of levodopa or L-DOPA, which is a precursor to the brain hormone/neurotransmitter dopamine. Several trials have shown that administration of L-DOPA will convert into active dopamine.
This dopamine boost is responsible for the health benefits Mucuna Pruriens offers. Higher dopamine levels can:
• Suppress prolactin
• Upregulate androgen receptors
• Stimulate GnRH release in the hypothalamus
• Boost growth hormone
Additionally, the high antioxidant activity of this bean leads to reduced cortisol levels and improved sperm quality.
L-DOPA helps increase testosterone levels by the following mechanisms:
• Increasing luteinizing hormone, which in turn signals for the synthesis and release of testosterone
• Increasing Follicle Stimulating Hormone that helps with sperm production and testicle growth
• Suppressing the female hormone Prolactin that can otherwise bring down the testosterone levels
Other Health benefits of Mucuna Pruriens
Mucuna Pruriens is extensively used in supplement form for the wide variety of health benefits it offers. These include:
• Increase in sperm quality and volume particularly in infertile men
• Activation of androgen receptors
• Reduced oxidative damage and level of cortisol
• Increased dopamine production
• Decreased prolactin levels
• Increased testosterone levels
On the medical front, Mucuna Pruriens extracts have been shown to possess aphrodisiac, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiepileptic, anti-venom, antihelminthic, antiviral, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, and anti-neoplastic properties. This is according to an article appearing in the Journal of traditional and Complimentary Medicine.
1. Anti-venom
Mucuna Pruriens seed aqueous extract (MPE) offers protection against the toxic effects of snakebite venom. Surprisingly, a study published by the National Institutes of Health (BIH) found that Mucuna offers both short (24 hours) and long-term (one-month) protection against snakebite venom. This is because MPE contains a multiform glycoprotein that stimulates the production of antibodies, which bind to specific venom proteins making them ineffective.
2. Parkinson’s disease management
According to a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, Mucuna Pruriens contains L-dopa, a compound that is effective in the management of Parkinson’s disease. Results from this study show that the L-dopa found in Mucuna seed powder formulation is more effective in the long-term management of Parkinson’s disease than conventional L-dopa alternatives.
3. Depression treatment
The hydro-alcoholic extracts of MPE have potent anti-depressant properties. This is according to a study published by AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda). Researchers involved in this study found that MPE alkaloids, amino acids and carbohydrates have dopaminergic properties that reduce acute and chronic depression symptoms substantially.
4. Diabetes treatment
A clinical study published in the journal Fitoterapia found that the aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens seeds has effective anti-diabetic properties. To be specific, MPE lowered blood glucose levels from 127.5 ± 3.2 to 75.6 ± 4.8 mg% two hours after oral administration. In diabetic study subjects, administration of MPE daily for 21 days caused blood glucose levels to fall from 240.5 ± 7.2 to 90.6 ± 5.6 mg%.
5. Phenolic Antioxidants
Mucuna produces substantial amounts of phenolic antioxidants including polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids that bind onto free radicals such as lipid peroxyl, peroxide and hydroperoxide.
6. Skin disease treatment
A study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine states that it produces compounds that are effective in treating skin diseases including dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
Lately, Mucuna Pruriens has been in the limelight for its testosterone boosting abilities. Let us check out if there is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that Mucuna Pruriens is really a testosterone booster.
Potential Side Effects of Mucuna pruriens
Some side effects associated with Mucuna pruriens include bloating, nausea and vomiting. In rare cases, it can also cause a headache, confusion and even hallucinations. However, supplement forms of Mucuna pruriens are safe with few reported side effects.
Available Forms of Mucuna pruriens
Supplements are typically available as seed extract with a certain percentage of L-DOPA in capsule form.
Mucuna Pruriens Dosage
Mucuna Pruriens dosage typically varies depending on the desired goal. In the management of Parkinson’s disease, for example, data from the study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry shows that 30g of Mucuna is the optimal dose. To treat diabetes, the right dose is 200mg of Mucuna per kg of body weight, whereas a dose of 100-200mg per kg of body weight works well for people diagnosed with depression. Finally, a higher Mucuna dose ranging from 500 to 1,000mg per kg of bodyweight increases testosterone levels, thereby treating male infertility.
Can Mucuna Pruriens Boost Testosterone Levels?
There is sufficient scientific evidence to prove that Mucuna pruriens is an effective testosterone booster. It is particularly beneficial for men with fertility problems. As with any supplement, it should be stacked with other supplements such as D-aspartic acid, magnesium, vitamin D and zinc for maximum impact. Dosage levels should be around 300 – 500mg should do the trick.