Kaunch Beej (Mucuna Pruriens) - Uses, Dosage, Health Benefits
What is Kaunch Beej?
Kaunch beej is seed of Kapikacchu herb. The Latin name of Kaunch beej is Mucuna pruriens. This herb is mainly found in India, Australia, Southern Africa, and America. Kaunch beej seeds are small pods measuring 10 cm in length.
Kaunch beej herb is used in Ayurveda for various medicinal purposes. In Ancient time it is used for ailments like impotency, sexual debility, infertility, aphrodisiac activities, and neurological disorders etc.
Classification of Kaunch Beej
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Fabales
- Latin name: Mucuna pruriens
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Faboideae
- Tribe: Phaseoleae
- Genus: Mucuna
- Species: M. pruriens
Other Names of Kaunch Beej
The other name of Kaunch beej are mentioned below:
- Botanical name: Mucuna pruriens
- English name: Cow itch, Velvet beans, Cow-hage
- Hindi name: Kevanch, Kaunch
- Tamil name: Poonaikali vidai, Poonai kaali vithu, poonaikali vithu
- Malayalam name: Naikorana
- Kannada: Nausukunni
Medicinal Properties of Kaunch Beej
The medicinal properties of Kaunch beej are mentioned below:
- Rasa (Taste): Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta)
- Guna (Qualities): Heavy to digest (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
- Veerya (Potency): Hot potency (Ushna)
- Vipaka (Taste conversion after digestion): Sweet (Madhura)
- Prabhava (Special effect): Aphrodisiac (Vrushya)
- Effect on Tridosha: Balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha)
According to Ayurveda - Medicinal Properties of Kaunch Beej:
- Vatahara: Useful in all types of neurological disorders.
- Balya: It helps to increase immunity and strength of an individual.
- Bahumala: It increases the production of faeces.
- Vrushya: The herb shows aphrodisiac nature.
- Bruhmani: It provides proper nourishment to the body.
Healing Properties of Kaunch Beej
- Nervine tonic
- Aphrodisiac
- Neuro-restorative
- Androgenic
- Anti-Parkinson's disease
- Spermatogenic
- Erectogenic
- Strengthening
Kaunch Beej Health Benefits
- These seeds are a natural source of levodopa.
- It supports the overall nervous system.
- These seeds maintain posture and physical balance.
- The seeds have the ability to reduce stress and anxiety.
- It helps to improve immunity, improves energy levels and endurance.
- These seeds support the intellect.
- It helps to maintain libido.
- The seeds revitalize overall male and female reproductive system.
What are the Indications of Kaunch Beej?
- Paralysis
- Parkinson's disease
- Facial paralysis
- Amnesia
- Dementia
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Leucorrhea
- Asthma
- Oligospermia
- Low testosterone levels
- General weakness
- Erectile dysfunction'
- Impotency
- Stress
- Anxiety
What are the Uses of Kaunch Beej?
Treats Parkinson's Disease
Kaunch beej powder contains various compounds like harmin alkaloids, nicotine, lecithin, unsaturated acids, gallic acid, bufotenin, and genistein etc. These compounds possess neuroprotective activities that give good results in Parkinson's disease.
Improves Digestive System
Yes, Kaunch beej seeds are beneficial in all types of digestive disorders due to its nutritive qualities.
Improves Function of Nervous System
These seeds contain levodopa that is a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine plays important role in cognition, sleep disorders, involuntary movement, mood, learning, and working memory. Due to which it is good for the central nervous system.
Improves Reproductive Health
These seeds act as a tonic. It supports the Skhura dhatu (the reproductive tissue) as per Ayurveda. These seed are an aphrodisiac, maintain sexual energy and libido. Kaunch seeds also maintain normal fertility, causes proper functioning of a reproductive organ, maintain the health of ova and sperm.
Helps in Bodybuilding
The presence of amino acid L-Dopa increases the production of Human growth hormone that strengthens the body and increase muscle mass.
What are the Side Effects of Kaunch Beej?
There are many side effects of these seeds mentioned below:
Avoid consumption of these seeds during pregnancy. It sometimes lowers down sugar level so always take Kaunch beej powder in the supervision of a medical practitioner.
Persons having excessive androgen syndrome should avoid use of these seeds. In Parkinson's disease always take Kaunch beej powder under the supervision of a doctor.
The seed of this herb has been used in Ayurveda since many ages because Acharya's has mentioned in Ayurvedic texts that it balances the vata dosha and is a natural aphrodisiac. This Ayurvedic formulation has immense health benefits like it treats Vata related various neurological conditions. The amino acid L-dopa present in this powder controls the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It also improves the nerve strength and immunity of the body. It is also useful in amenorrhea and in males it enhances the sexual power as well improves the quality and quantity of semen because of its aphrodisiac and heavy properties. Intake of this Kaunch Beej powder balances the vata dosha thereby decreases the joint pain. In breast feeding mother it is given to maintain the lactation. L-dopa present in it also inhibits the overproduction of prolactin hormone and prevents the growth of cancerous cells. Thus, it is helpful in slowing down the chances of spreading breast cancer. This powder can also be used in worm infestation.
