Mucuna Pruriens

The plant is an annual, climbing shrub with long vines that can reach over 15 m. It bears white, lavender, or purple flowers and pods that are covered in loose orange hairs which cause a severe itch if they come in contact with skin. The beans are shiny black or brown. It is found in tropical Africa, India and the Caribbean.

Uses

In history, M. pruriens has been used as an aphrodisiac (hence the species name, pruriens, i.e., prurience/prurient). It is still used to increase libido in both men and women due to its dopamine inducing properties. Dopamine has a profound influence on sexual function

The hairs lining the seed pods contain 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) which causes severe itching (erythema). Mucuna pruriens is a common ingredient in itching powder. In Africa these hairs are used to murder people by sprinkling them on to the food of the unsuspeting victim, who would then die from internal bleeding as the sharp hairs slice into the stomach and the intestinal lining.

Indian Herbs

Mucuna Pruriens

Uses

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