How do you grow mucuna pruriens?

[Esperanto]

I wanted to share a try I'm undertaking as an alternative to buying a jar of mucuna pruriens through Amazon, which by the way I never considered as a former Sinemet user. Instead, I've decided to grow the beans myself and witness their growth firsthand. It has no medical purpose for me since I no longer use levodopa at the moment, but valuable if Sinemet and mucuna are banised by the mandatory introduction of JSB's therapy. 😀 However, as a passionate gardener, it's an endeavor that I hope will not only give me a chance to experience the plant's beauty but also potentially provide a natural "pick-me-up" similar to a glass of red wine (although I probably still prefer the wine!). I'm really curious to see how the plant looks and taste the fresh beans. From what you can see, the dried beans are truly miniature artworks!

I would greatly appreciate any advice or experiences you might have in successfully growing mucuna pruriens. It might be challenging since it's a tropical plant and I live in a temperate climate in northeastern France. Moreover, it's already late in the year. However, I do have access to a fairly large (unheated) greenhouse and from today the summer finally really seems to have started. Your insights can greatly increase the chances of this try being a success. I'll definitely keep you posted on my progress. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[Hope-full1970]

I have been growing my own for the first time. I have been told it's a cool weather crop. If it gets too hot they whither and die. This has happened to some of my plants. I'm hoping the rest make it. I'm planning on picking the buds and making a Mucuna tincture with it.

[Esperanto in reply to Hope-full1970]

That's interesting! What are the climatic conditions where you are? Have you treated the seeds (scarified/soaked)? I want to plant them at a depth of 3 cm, 20 cm apart, both outside and in the greenhouse. Is it wise to pre-cultivate them in pots first?

[Hope-full1970 in reply to Esperanto]

I live in the north eastern United States. I started growing them mid May but wish I had started a few weeks earlier because it has been unusually warm. I did not pre-soak them and I planted them directly in the soil.They sprouted in about a week. They seem pretty hearty. Although after a few hot days some the leaves withered. I planted 3 lengths of the seed in depth about 6 inches apart.

[Farooqji]

I have grown a few plants long ago. It's very robust plant and doesn't need any special care

[gomelgo]

I tried sprouting them, and liked it a lot. Seems to be even better than the powder. I haven't done in in a few months, and this post is inspiring me to use up the rest of my bean batch ... wish I had a greener thumb, and space to grow. Would love to keep tabs on your process.

[ccr69]

I am in central Queensland Australia and my local chemist is African. He said he had memories of Mucuna growing in Africa where it is called Itch Bean because the hairy pods are very irritating on the skin, and possibly the lungs.

[LAJ12345]

please post some photos of the plant if you have success🙂

[Hope-full1970]

I am very happy to report I have a Fava Bean bud this morning 😃This is what I was waiting for. I will use the buds to make a tincture.

Fava Bean bud

[MarionP in reply to Hope-full1970]

What is your process please for making that tincture from cutting to end product?

[Hope-full1970 in reply to MarionP]

acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aa... All of the instructions to make a tincture and many other helpful tips are in this booklet

It is from Bean Acres Farm "Aunt Bean"

[Esperanto in reply to Hope-full1970]

This is a valuable recipe information for the DIY enthusiast. Thank you! However, this is about the fava buds, and is it applicable to the Mucuna Pruriens beans? Should you dry the beans first or can you grind them fresh before pouring them over with brandy?

[Hope-full1970 in reply to Esperanto]

parkinsonsrecovery.com/ This is where I found the booklet on Fava beans. This website has been a great resource and encouragement to me.

There are a couple of different recipes in the book, pg 6 sprouting whole beans. It's very easy. You can eat them whole and for the author it provides relief just the same as medication.

The other is pg. 8, making l-dopa tincture. The bud is supposed to be most potent for the tincture. Pick the buds, dry them in a dehydrator then follow the instructions. There is a picture of the bud on pg 4.

I was wrong earlier thinking it was the flower. It's a green cluster. This is my first time.

The lady who has shared this information "Aunt Bean" has lived med free 12 years and has a very active lifestyle.