indian herbs
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Indian Herbs

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Aloe Vera
Andrographis Paniculata
Argyreia Nervosa
Artocarpus
Ashwagandha
Asparagus Racemosus
Bacopa
Basil
Bhringaraj
Boswellia
Cedrus
Centella Asiatica
Cinnamon
Cydonia
Cymbopogon
Datura
Flax
Ginger
Glebionis Segetum
Gymnema Sylvestre
Harmala Alkaloid
Hedychium
Heterophyllus
Hibiscus Abelmoschus
India Gooseberry
Juglans Regia
Liquorice
Morinda
Moring Oleifera
Mucuna Pruriens
Mulberry
Nelumbo Nucifera
Papaver
Piper
Pterocarpus Marsupium
Punica
Rhubarb
Safed Musli
Sandalwood
Sapindus
Sarsaparilla
Solanum
Tinospora

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.

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