Organic Mucuna Powder

Mucuna — also known as Velvet Bean, Kapikacchu or Cowhage — is a legume, traditionally used within Ayurveda for general wellbeing, the brain and hormones. In Chinese Medicine it is known as a Jing tonic (primal essence or energy). Modern research classifies Mucuna as an Adaptogen and lists it as a nutraceutical nootropic. Studies* suggest it contains high levels of l-dopa, anti-oxidants, may be an aphrodisiac, improve sperm health, and potentially provide a protective and restorative effect on the brain.

Our frisky, bright, velvety bean.

250g / approx. 50 serves / $0.53 per serve

$19.95 AUD

More 'Healthy' Information
*Science & References
Seed to Table (Growing & Processing)
History & Tradition
Uses & Care

Adaptogen; helping the body adapt to stress, allowing for an increased tolerance to mental exhaustion, enhancing attention and mental endurance.

Mucuna has been used for 1000's of years by Traditional Ayurveda Practitioners for a variety of symptoms and health concerns and is classified as a Rasayana (adaptogen / rejuvinative). In Ayurveda different plants provide different health benefits, seeds are often linked to reproductive benefits and Mucuna is one of those, and is also used; for balancing and restoring the nervous system, to promote muscle mass and body weight, as a powerful aphrodisiac, for diabetes, for arthritis and has been known to be applied as a poultice for scorpion stings (as it is thought to absorb the poison).

In Chinese Medicine it is classified as a Jing tonic, helping nourish and promote our “Jing” (primal essence or energy), we must keep our Jing stores in check to maintain healthy vitality.

Following a trip down the road of traditional uses we went on a journey with modern research to see if they had found similar results, and they do. Modern Western Medicine is supports some of the Traditional claims to health suggesting that it contains; anti-oxidants, may be an aphrodisiac, may improve sperm health, and potentially provide a protective and restorative effect for the brain.
The main notable compound is the l-dopa (also known as levodopa, an amino acid), Mucuna contains approx. 5%. l-dopa is the precursor to dopamine which is produced in the brain, Dopamine is responsible for moderating the pleasure response, motor control and the release of certain hormones. Due to this effect on neurotransmitters, it has been studied for its use as a neuroprotective and neurorestorative compound.

NOTE: You don't need a highly extracted version of something unless you’re suffering from an acute disorder, it can have the opposite effect and cause the system to be overloaded. With a compound like l-dopa, which has been shown to effect the pathways in the brain, you need to be careful — you don't want to mess with those pathways. For example l-dopa 'only' tablets are commonly prescribed to people with Parkinsons. Besides, research has suggested that by having the whole bean it contains compounds work together to promote health and longevity.

Functions / systems within the body this product helps to balance

Feelings we notice by supporting the 'functions'

Nutritional Panel

Serving Size: 5g per Serve (1/2tsp)
Ingredients: Mucuna Pruriens

	Per Serve	Per 100g
Energy (kJ)	70.10kJ	1401.90kJ
Calories (kcal)	16.49 kcal	329.86 kcal
Protien	1.23g	24.50g
Total Carbohydrates	2.37g	47.30g
- Sugars	0.21g	4.20g
- Fibre	0.49g	9.80g
Total Fat	0.25g	4.90g
- Saturated	0.09g	1.80g
Sodium	<50mg	<50mg

Active Ingredients

Cyclitols, Protease inhibitors, Phenolics, L-dopa (approx. 5%), Phenols, Polyphenols, Tannins.

Contraindications

Mucuna contains l-dopa which effects neural pathways, so care should be taken if you are already taking prescription anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, mind altering substances, levodopa, dopamine, dopamine agonists, dopamine antagonists, dopamine re-uptake inhibitors or suffer from psychosis or schizophrenia. Within Ayurveda it is recommended to avoid Mucuna in cases of high Ama (toxicity) or congestion. If taken in large doses some may experience headaches. Care should be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have concerns we recommend consulting your health care practitioner.

As with many things internet based, a lot of information is copied and pasted, has a dash of creative license, a sprinkling of Chinese whispers and boom you have a new superfood or a superherb. When we select our products we look for the most effective and the very best quality. So we research and research some more, then provide all of that research for you so that you can make up your own mind.

ANTI-OXIDANT / ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (Cognitive Performance)
 Mucuna has been linked to potential neuroprotective effects, in some cases directly related to being a safe treatment for parkinsons disease sufferers. It may also have neurorestorative effects due to its potential to reduce the dopaminergic neurons from degenerating. The free radical scavenging, anti-oxidative effects of Mucuna have been related to and active in its ability to be neuroprotective and neurorestorative.
Mucuna contains large quantities of phenolic compounds which have an anti-oxidative capacities and may help prevent various oxidative stressors.
Mucuna has also been used traditional as a treatment for ADHD (attention deficit disorder), recent research suggests that Mucuna may have positive impacts on this group. But further studies should be carried out. (6, 9, 12, 13, 16, 17)

HORMONES (libido)
 Clinical trials performed on infertile men suggested that Mucuna has the ability to positively impact dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. With this study group improving the concentration of sperm and motility.
 Mucuna's high amounts of l-dopa, and as the precursor to dopamine, research has suggested that it is responsible for the spermatogenic activity, which leads to improvement in libido and sperm health.
 It has been suggested that when taken for 3 months it can have positive impact on the health of male sexual organs.
A recent study took 60 healthy infertile men who were found to be suffering form psychological stress and 60 healthy normal men with atleast 1 child. After a 3 month treatment it was shown that 5g of Mucuna per day was able to reactivate the anti-oxidant defence system, help manage stress and improve sperm quality. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14)

ORGANS (Skin)
 It has been suggested that Mucuna may aid various skin conditions. Further studies should be carried out to investigate this potential. (9)

CIRCULATION (Blood Glucose)
 An alcohol extract of Mucuna was suggests to have an anti-diabetic effect on blood glucose levels and also on a reduced the weight loss caused by diabetes. Research has also suggested that those suffering from diabetes and also a reduced libido or sperm quality, could benefit in using Mucuna, and supports it traditional use as a medicine for sexual invigoration and the diabetic condition. (3, 9, 15)
 

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (BLOOD SUGAR)
 Studies have suggested that the anti-inflammatory and protective effects of Eleuthero could display positive effects on diabetic damage to cells, as well as lipid and glucose regulation. (2)
 

BACTERIA (Anti-microbial)
 The phenols and tannins found in Mucuna leaves have been suggested to have anti-microbial activities. (9)
 

OTHER (Snake Venom)
 Mucuna has also been linked in a number of studies to be active against snake venom. Traditional used to treat the toxic effects of snake bites when the bean was swallowed whole. Studies suggest that when Mucuna is effective 24hours after taking it for up to 1 month. The action is suggested to be due to an immune mechanism where it creates anti-bodies that react with the venom proteins. (9)
 

Research Suggests
ANTI-BACTERIAL
NOOTROPIC
BLOOD SUGAR
ANTI-FATIGUE
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE

References
1) Sexual Performance and Virility (2014)
2) Increase in sperm motility and testosterone (2012)
3) Sexual invigorator anti-diabetic (2012)
4) Aphrodisiac activity (2009)
5) Improvement in sperm quality (2009)
6) Neuroprotective and neurorestorative (2008)
7) Neuroprotective (2013)
8) L-DOPA and Parkinson’s (2013)
9) Various health benefits report (2012)
10) what is dopamine?
11) Anti-depressant (2014)
12) Neuroprotective (2012)
13) Neuroprotective (2004)
14) Reduce Stress and Improve Sperm Quality (2007)
15) anti-diabetic (2011)
16) Anti-oxidant activity of Dopamine and l-dopa (2015)
17) l-dopa and male fertility (2013)
18) ADHD (2011)
19) Anti-depressant (2013)
20) Anti-inflammatory (2010)
21) Comprehensive Review (2014)
FARMING
The Mucuna vine is organically and sustainably grown in India using 100% renewable energy.  The seed pods are harvested and sun dried. The seeds are then separated from the pods, inspected and sent for processing.

PROCESSING
When they arrive they are washed and sorted. The washed seeds are then dehydrated at below 40°C. The dehydrated seed is then moved to be cool ground to become powder. Then packaged for transport.

IMPORTING
The product is then put on a ship and sails to Australia and arrives at The Grove HQ approximately 4 weeks later.

PACKING
Once it arrives at The Grove HQ we carry out quality control checks and repackage it ready for you.

PRODUCT OF INDIA.
PACKAGED IN AUSTRALIA WITH LOVE.

The Life of Mucuna
 Mucuna is an annual vine / shrub that grows in tropical regions, native to Asia and Africa. When growing its long vines can reach up to 15m in length. Young plants are covered in fuzzy hairs as they grow they loose the hairs all together, with older plants not having any hairs at all. Large green leaves grow from short stems, flower stems then grow from the base of the branching leaves. Each flower stem can be 15-30cm in length with multiple flowers, these flowers can be white, lavender or purple, from the flowers come the fruit/bean pods. The pods can be 4-15cm in length carrying up to 7 seeds/beans, the pods are hairy on the outside, these hairs can be itchy and act as a deterrent to animals looking for snacks.
Once the plant has gone through its cycle and the beans harvested, the rest of the plant if often used as manure to fertilise other crop growing areas and fix nitrogen imbalances in the soil.
Mucuna prefers well drained fertalised soil, in a tropical climate with rainfall of between 1000-2000mm annually. But can be grown in sandy soil, in areas with rain fall as low as 500mm annually.
pH can be anywhere between 5.0-8.0, altitudes 0-1500m, does not like being waterlogged, optimum temperature 15-27C and lots of light. From planting the seed to flowering and ripening it is approximately 2-3 months. Flowering can be helped by temperatures of above 21C during the night. The plant will usually die 1-2 months after producing the seeds/beans.
traditional uses

Ayurveda
Aphrodisiac
Enhances Intellect
Promotes Energy
Aid Digestion
Improves Vitality
Pacifies Vata aggravations
Treats nervousness
Good for Vata constitution

Chinese Medicine
Jing Tonic

History
Mucuna is among the earliest recorded herbal medicines used in historic Indian, Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Syrian texts dated back to about 5000 years. Mucuna specifically, was found mentioned in the Rig Veda, written between 4500 and 1600 BC. Where it is said that Physicians mention the use of Mucuna to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). (9, 21)
As the international drug companies became aware that Mucuna had active compounds able to treat Parkinson's Disease, the demand rose both at home in India and internationally.

Throughout history Mucuna has had 3 main uses; food, animal feed and fodder, and environmental services (such as green manure). (9)

In Indonesia, the young leaves, pods and beans are said to have been fermented and turned into tempeh as a staple source of nutrition. (9)
In Central America, Mucuna beans have been roasted and ground to be used as a coffee substitute and touted as a Nescafe and in Guatamala the indigenous Ketchi people still farm the crop and cook it as a staple food source, where in Suriname's traditional medicine seeds are burned and used as an ointment against swollen glands.

Other traditional uses include; urinary tract, aphrodisiac, neurological, menstruation, constipation, edema, fever, tuberculosis, ulcers, and helminthiases like elephantiasis. (21) Within Ayurveda, each part of the plant has the potential to have different effects, it is said that;
The Roots are useful for; relieving constipation, nephropathy, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, elephantiasis, dropsy, neuropathy, ulcers, helminthiasis, fever, delirum, bitter, thermogenic, anthelmintic, diuretic, emollient, stimulant, aphrodisiac, purgative, febrifuge, and tonic.
The Leaves are useful for; popular potherbs, fodder crop, ulcers, inflammation, cephalagia and general debility (they are also sometimes dried and smoked).
The Seeds/Beans are useful for; astringent, laxative, astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, alexipharmic, tonic, antidepressant and Parkinson's Disease.

The traditional uses live on today, within western medicine using extracting the l-dopa compound from the beans/seeds to make potent drugs in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Getting in the Kitchen
Mix with water, juice, yogurt, add to a smoothie, or infuse into a tea as a substitute for coffee. Mucuna may work best when taken together with green tea extract.
Traditional preparations include mixing Mucuna with milk and honey as a restorative drink. Combined with Ashwagandha and other herbs for reproductive health, and with fennel and ginger to aid digestion.
Contact your Health Care practitioner for specific combinations to support a particular question.

Recipes in the Blog

Mucuna Mint Slice
Add 1tbsp to any Nut or Almond Butter
Add to any baked recipe, like these Almond Slices

Storage
We have packaged your product in cost effective black bags, which protect the products from damaging UV rays which degrade your product. We have also inserted a silica-based desiccant pack to absorb any unwanted moisture and keep your products safer and help them last longer.

Contraindications
Mucuna contains l-dopa which effects neural pathways, so care should be taken if you are already taking prescription anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, mind altering substances, levodopa, dopamine, dopamine agonists, dopamine antagonists, dopamine re-uptake inhibitors or suffer from psychosis or schizophrenia. Within Ayurveda it is recommended to avoid Mucuna in cases of high Ama (toxicity) or congestion. If taken in large doses some may experience headaches. Care should be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have concerns we recommend consulting your health care practitioner.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A MIRACLE DRUG. THE GROVE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO TREAT, DIAGNOSE, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.
FOR FULL DISCLAIMER THE LINK IN THIS WEBSITES FOOTER.

Ayurveda

The Grove's products and philosophies are very much aligned with the practices of Ayurveda, who's principles have roots embedded in 1000's of years of tradition. Ayurveda looks to treat the person, ensuring that all aspects of the physical, spiritual and environmental are considered when seeking Optimum Health for an individual. These Ancient methods integrate Ayurveda (nutrition), Yoga (physical) and Tantra (spiritual) to create a balanced peaceful life.

YOGA IS NOT ABOUT TOUCHING YOUR TOES. IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU LEARN ON THE WAY DOWN.

Customer Reviews

5.0 Based on 21 Reviews

5 ★

100%

21

4 ★

0%

0

3 ★

0%

0

2 ★

0%

0

1 ★

0%

0

Write a Review

Thank you for submitting a review!

Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!

Loading more...

09/09/2022

DH

David H.

Australia

Mucuna Powder

Would highly recommend this product for a number of reasons. Takes about a week to kick in. Also get sent some tasty recipes with my purchases and they look yummy.

14/08/2022

SP

Simon P.

Australia

Amazing stuff

A friend from work

02/12/2020

J

Jenny

Australia

Mucuna for Parkinson’s

My husband has Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed at age 57, and recently changed over to The Grove mucuna from a different brand. We have noticed of late that the main thing it has helped is his anxiety (a PD symptom) which was very debilitating for him. The reason we changed our supplier was because we had heard from our support group that the Ayurvedic mucuna uses the whole bean, not just having the levodopa extracted from it, and we believe other properties within the bean helps with Parkinson’s symptoms as well.

01/12/2020

THE GROVE

Hi Jenny, We couldn't agree more that sometimes extracting things isn't the best way to utilise their greatness because nature provides us these gems with many compounds that work together to support health. We are so excited that this product has helped your husband and thank you for your spectacular feedback! ☺️

11/11/2018

BP

BRADLEE P.

Good Service.

Very good service and product.

01/06/2018

BS

Ben S.

Great for libido I highly recommend Mucuna and Cordyceps.

Having done some research I figured I’d try Mucuna and Cordyceps for old libido thing, I have a super stressful job, and thought it might help me destress aswell. Well it did. I was sceptical. But it works. They both do. And I have so much more energy. I won’t stop taking these now. Im a concert.

26/03/2018

BM

Beth M.

Fast shipping and great service.

The best organic Mucuna out there. So pure and creamy. I add it to smoothies and pancakes mostly. But im sure it would be great in other things too. I actually want to give the raw cheesecake recipe a go and add some. I feel great and more focused and less cloudy. love. it.

Organic Mucuna Powder

More 'Healthy' Information

*Science & References

Seed to Table (Growing & Processing)

History & Tradition

Uses & Care

Functions / systems within the body this product helps to balance

Feelings we notice by supporting the 'functions'

Nutritional Panel

Active Ingredients

Contraindications

ANTI-OXIDANT / ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (Cognitive Performance)

HORMONES (libido)

ORGANS (Skin)

CIRCULATION (Blood Glucose)

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (BLOOD SUGAR)

BACTERIA (Anti-microbial)

OTHER (Snake Venom)

Research Suggests

References

FARMING

PROCESSING

IMPORTING

PACKING

The Life of Mucuna

traditional uses

Ayurveda

Chinese Medicine

History

Getting in the Kitchen

Recipes in the Blog

Storage

Contraindications

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A MIRACLE DRUG. THE GROVE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO TREAT, DIAGNOSE, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE. FOR FULL DISCLAIMER THE LINK IN THIS WEBSITES FOOTER.

Ayurveda

YOGA IS NOT ABOUT TOUCHING YOUR TOES. IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU LEARN ON THE WAY DOWN.

Mucuna Powder

Amazing stuff

Mucuna for Parkinson’s

THE GROVE

Good Service.

Related Items

OUR FABULOUS NEWSLETTER

THIS PRODUCT IS NOT A MIRACLE DRUG. THE GROVE PRODUCTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO TREAT, DIAGNOSE, CURE OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.
FOR FULL DISCLAIMER THE LINK IN THIS WEBSITES FOOTER.