The Wonders of the Mucuna Bean

[tarz]

To quote Dr. Maldonado, from Chapter 6 of his book, Mucuna and Parkinson’s Disease: Treatment with Natural Levodopa - “To date, 50 substances have been identified in the powder of its seeds [2]. Other still unidentified components must exist in Mucuna, such as portions or mixtures of alkaloids, proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, glycosides, glycoproteins, and several phytochemicals including tryptamine, alanine, arginine, glutathione, isoquinolone, mucunine, nicotine, prurienine, serotonin, tyrosine, etc. [3].”

“These substances, identiied or not, confer special powers on Mucuna, perhaps boosting the levodopa or adding some kind of dopamine agonism and even extended its effects. We need to continue investigating them.”

[Hidden]

Best to know what is in what you are using. Saying that compounds might be in because the substance is so good is not good science.

[tarz in reply to Hidden]

No one knows all of the components of most of the things we consume, so, as with mucuna, rather than rely on the changing whims of so-called "good science", we can normally have confidence in the anciently established traditions of customs and usage.

[Hidden in reply to tarz]

That is your choice to make. I am more than happy with my Sastravi.

[tarz in reply to Hidden]

"- Sastravi therapy should be administered cautiously to patients with ischemic heart disease, severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, renal or endocrine disease, history of peptic ulcer disease or history of convulsions.

- In patients with a history of myocardial infarction who have residual atrial nodal or ventricular arrhythmias; cardiac function should be monitored with particular care during the period of initial dose adjustments.

- All patients treated with Sastravi should be monitored carefully for the development of mental changes, depression with suicidal tendencies, and other serious antisocial behaviour. Patients with past or current psychosis should be treated with caution.

- Concomitant administration of antipsychotics with dopamine receptor-blocking properties, particularly D2 receptor antagonists should be carried out with caution, and the patient carefully observed for loss of antiparkinsonian effect or worsening of parkinsonian symptoms.

"

If you really believe that doctors know what they're doing, then good luck in not becoming one of their statistics!

[Hidden in reply to tarz]

In case you were not aware, all drugs have side effects - even ”natural” ones - but not everyone gets them. I do not have any of the contraindicated health issues and in 8 years of taking Stalevo,and now Sastravi, I have had none of the possible side effects. The drug combination has kept my PD at the same stage as at diagnosis so I am happy. I also take aspirin when needed and do not suck on willow bark😉

[tarz in reply to Hidden]

Glad to hear of your good fortune. Just be careful. I have never needed aspirin, but I've known of people who have suffered from aspirin (prescribed by a doctor)-induced bleeding ulcers. I wonder if you can get that from willow bark.

[Hidden in reply to tarz]

I see no reason why not - as well as splinters which could lead to sepsis and death!!

[tarz in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha. I don't suppose you should eat it from the tree, but you would make a preparation in advance, as the people of the first nations did.

[karolmilk in reply to tarz]

tarz, Can you provide me with the dosage of mucuna you take and brand? I know you wrote a post but I can't find it. I was also diagnosed in 2010, but take carbidiopa-levodopa with mucuna. I am wanting to wean off of CL but trying to avoid problems from too quickly changing my regiment. Thank you.

[tarz in reply to karolmilk]

Currently, I'm using about 2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons in a cup of hot water, with about a teaspoon of matcha green tea and some sweetener. It seems to be an extreme amount, so I'm still experimenting to see if a lower dosage will work for me. But each individual has a unique body chemistry, so you'll need to conduct your own experimenting. As for the brand, I just buy whatever says 100% mucuna and has the best price I can find.

[karolmilk in reply to tarz]

Tarz, which brand are you using now that indicates 100%, I need some place to start because I am currently using pill form at 15% L-dopa.

[tarz in reply to karolmilk]

The last time I ordered from ZNatural - amazon.com/Organic-Mucuna-P...

[park_bear in reply to tarz]

It is easy to copy and paste a long list of such warnings. The fact of the matter is that levodopa based medications have a good safety record, as compared to dopamine agonists which do not. Given the options, Sastravi is a good choice.

[aspergerian13 in reply to tarz]

Agreed, which may equal "a" (absence) of greed.

[SuperMNew]

Very nice post. Dr. Maldonado has amazing information in his book on Mucuna Pruriens. I've been using Mucuna for about 4 years. It consistently gives me complete relief.

[MarionP in reply to SuperMNew]

Please define what you meant by "relief," so I know what you are talking about. Thanks

[SuperMNew in reply to MarionP]

Relief means all symptoms of RLS are gone. I feel completely normal.

[park_bear in reply to SuperMNew]

This is very interesting news. That indicates levodopa is a good treatment for restless legs.

[tarz in reply to park_bear]

I've read that restless legs an also be a symptom for a deficiency of magnesium. Have you looked into that?

[SuperMNew in reply to tarz]

Yes, and I am taking a totally absorbable magnesium supplementation called ReMag with Dr. Caroline Dean. It is an excellent mineral and some RLS may well be caused by a magnesium deficiency. Mine, sadly, is not. My mag levels are normal. Mine is simply a lack of sufficient dopamine produced by my brain. (Not enough produced during the evening and night when normal people's dopamine levels naturally decrease to facilitate sleep.) Mine drop too low. That's what sparks my nerves in my legs to start firing. Ugh!

[Chicafromchitown in reply to SuperMNew]

Supermnre

I am taking a combo of magnesium, calcium and zinc, you think that’s good for RLS or should only be magnesium alone to get a better relief at night, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t work when I take cbd oil right away I start feeling pressure on my legs. Also what is the name of Dr. Maldonado’s book on mucuna?

[SuperMNew in reply to Chicafromchitown]

Supporting your body with good nutrition and supplements seems to me to always be a good idea. And the cause of your RLS may be something different from mine or someone else's The body is a complex unit--all systems function in harmony with the others. My problem stems from my nervous system. (This is a very complex topic and not easily answered; however, I'll try to tell you what I've discovered about my RLS and the cause.) Dopamine in all people begins to decrease in the evening and during the night so that the human body can sleep and rest. Apparently my dopamine (and this could be the problem with many people dealing with RLS and Parkinson's) drops lower than normal; thus my nerves begin to fire (RLS). When I move, drink coffee (these create dopamine) my symptoms disappear. However, coffee tends to keep one awake; so a couple hours before I want to sleep, I stop caffeinated coffee and at 11 in the evening, I take my dose of Mucuna (ON AN EMPTY STOMACH). Within a half hour to 45 minutes, the Mucuna has overridden any effects of caffeine, and I fall into a deep sleep. Remember, Mucuna is natural, pure L-dopa which then supplies my brain with the dopamine that is not there otherwise. This has worked for me for 4 years, with NO augmentation, withdrawal, or other symptoms caused by prescription drugs that fool the brain into thinking that the drug is dopamine. Soon the body gets smart and the drug begins to lose its effectiveness. I refuse drugs. I prefer natural. Dr. Maldonado's book is "MUCUNA VERSUS PARKINSON Treatment with Natural Levodopa."

[Chicafromchitown in reply to SuperMNew]

SuperMNew

What brand of mucuna do you buy? And how much do you take? I’ve been wanting to try it, since a lot of pwp in this forum use it. Do you also have PD? Thank you for your reply.

[SuperMNew in reply to park_bear]

Yes indeed it is! It has been for me.

[SuperMNew in reply to park_bear]

Yes, for me it is much better than prescription drugs. I've used it for several years and get the same response every time. Remember: it is an extract from a bean. It's been used and tested for over a hundred years in India to control Parkinsons. RLS--seems to me--is a "pre" Parkinsons condition. Just my thoughts.

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

I would like to know how you take the mucuna. Do you drink it in a tea or mixed with a juice or with water or ?

[Hidden in reply to park_bear]

Yes it is. Sinemet is a standard treatment for RLS.

[tarz in reply to Hidden]

I believe You asked me yesterday, "Can you please share the brand name and potency of the MP that you are taking?

"

I use whatever brand has the best price, and have found no difference between them. As far as potency goes, I just make sure it is 100% mucuna pruriens.

[Juliegrace in reply to tarz]

This is confusing because there are so many 100% mucuna pruriens products that have different l-dopa percentages.

[tarz in reply to Juliegrace]

I don't believe that the amount of l-dopa in the 100% natural mucuna bean powder can vary by more than a few %, at the very most, at least that's what I have found. Otherwise it has been refined or altered, perhaps diluted, and would not be natural.

For example, when they put 40% on the capsule labels (I believe this is a deliberate advertising deception), its not clear whether this refers to the purity of the mucuna powder itself or the percentage of l-dopa in the capsule. Either way, it means that it has been altered, and ingredients have either been removed or added, or both.

So I just stick with the one pound bags of 100% pure mucuna pruriens powder. That way, I know I am getting all of the same ingredients provided by the plant from mother nature. It works for me.

[danfitz in reply to Juliegrace]

The 100% description indicates the product is made from only mucuna pruriens. The percentage of l-dopa is a result of how concentrated the extract is. In the same way that sugar water and sugar syrup both contain only sugar and water but sugar syrup contains a higher percentage of sugar.

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

Approximately how long does that relief continue, before another dose is needed?

[SuperMNew in reply to tarz]

I find that a half teaspoon holds me for four hours. Anyone else would need to experiment. We do not all have the same degree of RLS nor is the cause the same for all of us.

[LAJ12345 in reply to SuperMNew]

I saw this yesterday on the restless legs forum about taurine.

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po....

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

I'm curious to know how much mucuna you use per day.

[SuperMNew in reply to tarz]

I use one half teaspoon a half hour before bedtime. When I wake up four hours later with RLS again manifesting, I take another half teaspoon. It may take a bit of time to start working depending on if I still have an empty stomach or not. Then I take another dose and sleep for another four hours. Each person is different. You or your loved one will be different. A half teaspoon might be too much. Experiment.

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

One more question, do you drink it mixed in a tea, or how do you take it? (I'm just a beginner in using it.)

[Pilot108 in reply to SuperMNew]

What type and dosage of Mucuna do you take?

[tarz in reply to Pilot108]

I use about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the 99% pure mucuna powder dissolved in a cup with 2/3 teaspoon matcha green tea, but I'm still experimenting to see if I can cut down on the amounts.

[Pilot108 in reply to tarz]

Okay thanks, just received 250mg Mucuna caps (40%) from Biovea but haven’t started talking any yet. They tell me the caps are 100% at 100mg Have not taken any PD meds yet just B1 and magnesium l-threonate.

[SuperMNew in reply to Pilot108]

40% Mucuna is not very strong. Why not use 100% pharmaceutical grade Mucuna Pruriens. You will get more effective results with much less of the Mucuna. That extract is available at: nutrivitashop.com/l-dopa-10... I have no financial interest in this company, but I've tried the different capsule strengths, and the Mucuna from nutrivita is far superior. Just my thoughts.

[Pilot108 in reply to SuperMNew]

Great, thanks for the info,I will try it.

[SuperMNew in reply to Pilot108]

I use the 100% pharmaceutical grade Mucuna (L-Dopa) from this website: nutrivitashop.com/l-dopa-10... I use 1/2 tsp. a half hour before bedtime. That lasts about 4 hours, sometimes a bit more. Then I take another 1/2 tsp. which gives me another 4 hours and often 5 hours sleep. Good sleep.

[Chicafromchitown in reply to SuperMNew]

This company, do you know if they have them in capsules/ tablets? I would like to be able to carrry them with me to take when I am out it would be easier than powder.

[SuperMNew in reply to Chicafromchitown]

I purchase 100% pharmaceutical, pure Mucuna extract from NutriVita website. Here is the link: nutrivitashop.com/l-dopa-10...

They do not have capsules or tablets. It's all pharmaceutical extract powder. I take a half teaspoon a half hour before I want to sleep. That is a small amount, but my stomach will not tolerate much more at one time. It allows me to sleep about 4 hours. When I wake after 4 hours, I take another dose and can sleep 4 or more hours. Hope this helps.

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

What do you think they mean when they call their product "L-dopa 100% pharmaceutical, pure Mucuna extract"? It means they're selling pure mucuna bean powder, the same product that every one else is selling. But they are apparently trying to make the shopper believe they are selling 100% L-dopa extract from the Mucuna bean, which would be pure refined levodopa.

As such it would not matter what was the source, because pure levodopa would mean that all of the other beneficial components had been removed, and what remained would be a totally refined and unnatural drug. They could no longer claim it it is natural.

Unfortunately, these companies seem to be willing to do what ever they legally can to beat out the competition, including manipulating their wording to confuse the consumer to think their product is more than what it actually is. Thus the maxim of law, caveat emptor- meaning "Let the buyer beware."

[SuperMNew in reply to tarz]

Think what you will. I've tried many brands, and they have a varying level of effectiveness for me because most I've tried have fillers mixed in. Experiment for yourself.

[SuperMNew]

No, I take it with plain water. The NitriVita mucuna has no taste. I suppose you could take it with tea. That would be fine, I assume. It's food that seems to interfere with absorption, at least in my experience. Someone else may do fine taking it with some kind of food.

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

I would suggest that you try drinking it with matcha green tea, as that tea has certain components (agonists) which allow your brain to absorb more of the levadopa from the mucuna, thus extending the effectiveness of the dopamine for a longer period of time. I take mine during the night, also. I have a pan of hot tea waiting for when I wake up in the middle of the night, i just pour a cup and mix in the mucuna and some honey and drink it up.

[SuperMNew in reply to tarz]

Thank you. I will try that.

[verlaat in reply to tarz]

Tarz I have PD, diagnosed 6 years ago, just starting to take mucuna for it with 1/4 of a 200mg madopar to slow the levadopa breaking down in the blood. I also have restless legs for which I take mucuna, 1/4 madopar plus I take one 125mg pramipexol. I am starting to get augmentation.

I take my mucuna from Zandopa , featured in Mr. Madonado's book. The Zandopa contains abbout 90% mucuna and mucuna according to the book contains about 3 to4 per cent levadopa. I take 1 teaspoon of this (with the 50mg of madopar), twice each day, plus once at night.

The difference between you (and SuperNew), seems to be you both do not take any synthetic drug, whereas I do. This must be where I am going wrong.

Tarz, I did try green tea, but could not get it right. I tried green tea pills. I might get some match green tea. Tarz could you give some idea how much levadopa you take for each dose and how much matcha tea. I can experiment from there.

[tarz in reply to verlaat]

Verlaat, I only take the mucuna powder and green tea powder (exactly the same thing as matcha but much less expensive) at bedtime. I use a tablespoon of each, in their natural concentration, steeped in hot water, adding nondairy creamer and sweetener, to make it pleasant to my particular taste. I often add about a teaspoon of moringa powder, because of its healthful reputation.

There are numerous suggestions on this website regarding ways to deal with restless leg syndrome, as you probably already have discovered.

[verlaat in reply to tarz]

thanks Tarz

[Gioc]

Where?

[aspergerian13]

Sad.

[SuperMNew]

Yes, I am taking 100% pharmaceutical grade Mucuna Pruriens found at this website: nutrivitashop.com/l-dopa-10...

I have no financial interest in this company. I have simply found their product highly effective and the answer for me and my situation. God bless you.

[tarz in reply to SuperMNew]

I'm so glad that it has helped you. Thanks for your response.

[Horseriding4]

This is very interesting. Do you get them from any particular shop ? Anita

[tarz in reply to Horseriding4]

The usual way mucuna pruriens is bought is in powder or capsule form. It is available in most outlets where herbs are sold as health supplements. It is also widely sold over the internet. This is the most economical source I have found - znaturalfoods.com/mucuna-pr...

Remember, this stuff is so nutritional and healthful, that even if you haven't found it helpful in controlling PD, you can just add it to your daily smoothies, and reap the benefits.