After reading Stevenmast’s post from July titled “Mucuna my natural protocol” I was very interested in trying the NutriVitaShop brand of Mucuna Pruriens with Matcha Green Tea. Previously I had used Barlowe's 40%.
When my powder arrived, I eagerly whipped up a batch of tea and added Mucuna, and gulped it down. Oh my, I gagged, finding it totally unpalatable. By day three, I knew I could never sustain drinking this concoction several times a day with its gritty sediment awaiting the final gulp. Not only did it taste terrible, but it took me a painful half hour to get a cup of tea down. The results though were amazing, consistent and long lasting. I became determined to find palatable ways to ingest these products.
My first thought was a reminder of my college days. Who didn’t love Jello Shots, I thought! Yep I would simply replace the vodka with Macha, and add Mucuna. But, was it good for me? I had recently lost 20 lbs on a no sugar no flour diet. Reading the ingredients of Jello, I decided to grab a box of Gelatin thinking I could infuse Grapefruit juice or something similar. My first attempts failed miserably. The powder was heavier then water and sank to the bottom, the gelatin was worthy of the trash. But it wasn’t long before I perfected my method allowing the bottom layer to firm up, before adding the Mucuna and topping it off with a cooled Matcha infused Jello topping. Eureka,! Now I had something that I could take to work and get down enjoyably. They give you Jello in the hospital, so it can’t be that bad, right? Well, I was concerned, although only a 2 tablespoon servings of Jello, I wasn’t sure If the sugar was going to work for me long term.
So I put plan B in to action, I thought, why couldn’t I make mini ice cubes, so I searched around on Amazon and found mini ice trays 3/8” inch. I dumped an 1/8” teaspoon of mucuna into each tray slot, got out my turkey baster made Macha Green tea and topped each slot off with a few matcha tea droplets. It worked great, now I have any easy way to quickly ingest ice cubes with a warm glass of water. They’re no bigger than a 500mg B1 tablet. Again the efficacy was great.
Still desiring a more transportable method I began searching on the web for a tablet making machine. That’s when I found lfatabletpresses.com. I quickly learned making tablets should be left up to experts. I tried it, and failed. The one thing I did notice was that ¼ teaspoon of Mucuna became a very large tablet, similar size to B1. It made me wonder how they make the Sinement tablet so small. Anyway on to the next.
Next I found and purchased “the capsule making machine” and wow that’s easy, and works well. I purchased it from “the vitamin shoppe” Using “00” capsules holds about ¼ teaspoon of Mucuna and is very transportable. I’m now working on a mixture for a combined green tea and mucuna with color coded capsules.
As the weeks have passed I’ve found I like the ice cubes and capsules to be the best. Ice cubes are so small they’re about 1/8 teaspoon of Mucuna and Capsules are ¼ teaspoon which works great for me as I don’t seem to need much Mucuna early in the day. I take two or three doses daily, getting 4-5 hours per dose.
I continue to get better and better, I mean a lot better than several years ago. Having symptoms since 2015 which began with wrist flapping upon waking and vivid acting out dreams that started in 2013. Things started off rather poorly for me with a fairly rapid decline, a dramatic loss of balance, and inability to move properly. I’ve changed all that though, and the changes began with B1 in 2018, Joe Dispenza meditation in 2019. 2020 included a diet change, whole house water filtration system removing fluoride. I’ve completely restored my balance 100%, rise from a chair with ease, roll over and turn in bed. No more heavy dragging log leg, I stopped using my Dragon headset a year ago, I type everything and write again. I go grocery shopping and COVID resulted in great department store sales, I enjoyed empty malls. I cook a lot. I love working, I own the company. My mind is clear, and I can handle complex issues well, all at 58 yrs old. On 8/20/2020 the hand flapping symptom I’ve had since 2015 ceased. My tremor is mild when I have it, my gait is normal most of the day. As my husband say’s “another year and you’ll be symptom free”. Well wouldn’t that be nice.
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I’m glad you’re making progress and having fun. And that you’re doing so well is very encouraging. I’ve done a little work with Joe Dispenza and you have definitely moved me to go deeper. BTW I’ve been experimenting with Mucuna + enzyme inhibitors for couple years and I am now using 30ml grapefruit juice 20-30 minutes prior to MP dose. This works well, particularly at night when green tea would interfere with my sleep cycle. Keep up the good work- JG
Hopefully the link will work and take you to "connie's testimonial" at the Joe Dispenza event. His work has helped me tremendously. You can type "connie's testimonial" into google.
I'm wondering how much green tea or grapefruit juice is actually necessary. I've noticed that my ice cubes with only 2 drops of diluted green tea are highly effective as were my Jello shots. Maybe I'll make my ice cubes with grapefruit juice to see if there's a noticeable difference, although you say timing is important. I'm trying to move away from the constraints.
That is wonderful!! Did you say you had right side tremor? I see you doing hand gestures in that YouTube video like you’re symptom free (your husband is right).
Most of my PD symptoms have been movement related. I still have an intermittent tremor though mild. Early on I had a more pronounced tremor in my leg and arm, and cogwheel movements in my arm and leg on one side. Cogwheel gone.
If I try to go all day without Mucuna I just get worn out from the energy grind from mild symptoms. I require a nap. When I have Mucuna I’m a powerhouse accomplishing much throughout a long day. That’s much improved from several years ago.
Uncle Matt’s Organic is a good product. Kinda pricey but 30ml is a small amount. Whole Foods carries the “Simply” brand, which while not organic is non-GMO and no additives. So next best thing, and half the price. Here’s a tip. If you’re using small amounts like I do, freeze 1/2 of the liter and leave 1/2 in the refrigerator. GJ doesn’t store very long in the fridge. Good luck and hope this helps - JG
I tried it today on my second dose and got a solid 4-Hours of relief! I suspect there's an accumulative Factor I look forward to trying it for a while and comparing to the green tea and coffee I've been using.. thanks for the tip I wouldn't have thought of freezing it I bought a couple of bottles today. Thanks again!
You can experiment with dosage. GJ has lotta nutritional benefits including Flavanones. I mix GJ with Kombucha and add B1 powder. Here’s a link you might find helpful. Enjoy- JG healthline.com/nutrition/10...
Holy smokes! So, do you still take the B1? What brand name of Mucuna do you use? I use Zandopa powder and am still experimenting with doses. I believe I am currently over-dosing, at least from the symptom descriptions I've read. I use roughly a tablespoon and a half 3X per day.
But yes. That gritty sediment in that final gulp is close to being unpalatable. I mix in some Velvet Cocoa Greens from Dr. Whitaker to mask the bitter taste.
the good side of mucuna pruriens is not in the superior levodopa quality but in all the others nutrients (anti-oxidants, neuro-protective, anti-inflammatory, etc) compounded which are lost (1% is meaningless) with artificial 99% LD.
I use a mucuna powder with 15% pharmaceutical grade of levodopa mixed with L/C meds to avoid to have to take too much powder and still have a good quantity of the other nutrients (85%).
Therefore i've to change a bit my previous sentence: 1,8 gr of mucuna at 99% of levodopa is practically 1,8 gr of pure levodopa. This alone without carbidopa means approx 1/20 of levodopa reaching the brain (based on my experience with AAT protocol) that is like 93mg of L/C in two shots (lets say 60mg and 30mg). It is an entry level therapy.
Somic, So are you saying my Mucuna dose is way below a Siniment tablet in comparison? I realize the NutriVitaShop product is strong and likely stripped of the other beneficial compounds but I’ve added 4-9% whole plant Mucuna powder to my smoothies in the past and will be again soon, so It’s possible to do both.
I've checked my spoon vs gr tables and found a mistake (mine). Redoing the calculations...
if you take 1/8 + 1/4 teaspoon (approx 3/8 x 5 gr = 1,8 gr) of mucuna with 99% of levodopa. In my personal experience pure LD it is like taking 1/20 of L/C therefore your 1,8 gr are equivalent to 93 mg/day that is very low amount considering that 1 Sinemet tablet is 100+25 mg of L/C
A few years ago I tried the 100% l-dopa Nutrivita product. I bought a jeweler’s scale to measure weight and 1/32 (of a calibrated) tsp weighed 100mg. 1/8 and 1/4 tsp are fairly high doses, depending on how much actually gets through. I didn’t continue taking the MP due to the inconvenience and also because I experienced dyskinesia at low doses the same way I do with c/l.
Juliegrace Thanks for your measurement input. When you receive a package from NutriVitaShop the recommended dose is 1/8 spoon. This works for me in the mornings but I find my afternoon or evening dose 1/4 teaspoon is better. Just depends on how long and how busy my day is going to be.
I just re-read the recommended dosage and it say's take 500mg per serving or 1/8 of a scoop. they include a scooper. its not recommended to exceed 1000mg daily. it also says 100% L-dopa USP FCC grade.
i just re-read the recommended dosage and it say's take 500mg per serving or 1/8 of a scoop. they include a scooper. its not recommended to exceed 1000mg daily. it also says 100% L-dopa USP FCC grade.
my idea on dyskinesia (and dystonia) is that it is due to lack of dopamine antagonist that take part to the movement feedback and control (mainly the chain tryptophan - 5HTP - serotonine, the de-excitatory neuro-transmitters).
This depletion of amino-acids and derivatives is due to the levodopa that compete in the intestine for absorption and since L/C meds are taken prior than everything else possibly with empty stomach in pure and concentrated tablets, they often saturate the intake channels and, with quantity and duration, slowly create day by day a shortage and the movement is less inhibited and the fine control is lost.
In my understanding the nutrients in the Amino Acid Therapy (AAT) replete this shortage in the brain eliminating, when successful, the unbalance and improving the movement control and sleep.
Since amino-acids derivatives are very sensible to each other and carbidopa increases the quantity of them (LD but also 5HTP) crossing the BBB, it increases the interferences between the elements and L/C therapy is not compatible with AAT.
Based on this i've decided to try to increase my protein intake (especially liver and eggs) and increase the supplementation of choline (thank you to @Rhyothemis for the suggestion) and alpha-latto-albumina, a big source of tryptophan and see what happens.
Good luck to myself
(if i keep smiling i can get some benefits from the placebo effect of the experiment... )
Have you found relief for your dyskinesia? Is dyskinesia involuntary movements like a shoulder shrug lip quivering? I'm on three pills a day of Carbidopa levodopa 25 to the 100 mg. I'm trying to determine if it's too much or not enough. Suggestion was made to take 1/2 tablet every 4 hours instead of a whole tablet every 8 hours. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!
I think I missed the hearts in my inbox LOL I'm so happy to hear it's working for you I hate green tea as well! I only use 3 loose blue scoops for a 32 ounce mason jar last me like 4 days. My first dose I take in coffee and is usually my best. Lately I've been mixing my coffee with oat nut milk the one that has very little protein I believe it's the Oatley brand. By the way you sound like a mad scientist over there! Keep me posted on any concoctions you come up with I could use a change. I think you're ready for Mount Everest! Steven
Hi Stevenmast, you really inspired me. Then the entrepreneur in me got revved up looking for solutions. I swear the ice cubes are awesome with a warm glass of water. And the capsules are super easy to make, but I'm still trying to determine if the capsules are as effective and the Jello and ice cubes. They say it has to get to your small intestines for better absorption, but I'm questioning that now.
I used to love Oat milk but the sugar content is very high compared to Almond milk, so having just lost 20lbs i have to refrain.
By the way I'm a Division 9 interior finish contractor with 30 employees. I should private message you and give you our website, since we are in the same industry. I've never made an announcement in the company of my condition, and happy I didn't.
Thanks for a very thought provoking post Were you ever on Sinemet? Do you definitely think the mucuna powder is better than Barlows and it is worth it to make your own capsules? Any stomach upsets from the mucuna?
I have never been on pharmaceuticals for my PD. I definitely think the NutriVitaShop product is more effective and consistent by a long shot. Having said that, both the Jello and ice cube mixture seem to be without fail. Takes 30 minutes and i get a solid 4-5 hours. I'm noticing what i think is less reliability with the capsules. I'm not totally sure yet because the capsules were the last addition to the mix so i need more time to be sure. I bought both Gelatan and Vegan capsules. I've read the best absorption takes place in the small intestines, but that's not what I seem to be experiencing. maybe the Jello and ice cube spend more time in my mouth.
No stomach issues, if anything my digestive system is improved.
Thank you for sharing your amazing recovery - it's so encouraging and inspiring! Love your ice cubes and capsules ideas - I have a couple of capsule making devices which I used to encapsulate magnesium mixtures and some other supplements, now will have to try it with Mucuna+green tea when I run out of Tattva's mucuna which I am taking now.
I am also concerned about my water quality. We used to have reverse osmosis system for drinking water but since moving to a new house 2 years ago, now we don't have as much space under the kitchen sink as we used to which is necessary to accommodate the bulky RO system, so I've been using just a regular activated charcoal filter with water quality question always in the back of my mind. Could you please share the name of your water system?
I installed Life Source water systems. I did whole house which was about 6 grand. Someday I'll go back and get a second MRI to see if the calcification is gone. Fluoride can calcify the brain, I've read. This showed up near my brain stem in an MRI, i can't remember the location term exactly. Neuro said it was aging.
Let the ice cube slightly soften in your mouth and wash it down with warm water, BINGO
I really enjoyed your post! I take a tbsp of Mucuna in a smoothie (along with a bunch of other supplements). I am impressed that you are able to get by with so much less and have such great results! Yes!!!! 😁
Yes, today is another excellent day. I woke up and had a capsule at 8am, a ice cube at noon then off to the office, and a Jello at 4pm, now I’m at the hair salon. That will do it for the day.
I’m thinking you’re using a different brand as a tablespoon of Nutrivita would be way to much as a single dose.
You are amazing! Your determination and hard work have paid off huge dividends. Wish my husband had it. He bought capsules and the machine, made a few MP capsules, but gave it up shortly after we purchased them. He is now on a combination of 1/2 t Sinemet with 2 MP capsules. Guess it works OK.
He takes 1/2 t Sinement with two capsules of Mucuna Pruriens (MP abbreviation, NOW brand name) X 3 a day. If he needs a little more boost between doses, he takes 1 capsule of DopaBoost.
This suggestion was from hubby's MDS. Also, at times, he skips one dose of his 1/2 Sinemet and instead takes just two MP capsules with 1/2 t Carbidopa.
Hope it helps although what works for one PWP doesn't work for the other.
So I’m in the Dominican Republic for vacation and brought my 99% levodopa from nutrivita’s mucuna which I put in 500 mg capsules and they have worked well for the past three years or so, but for a half year or so it’s been hit and miss more miss. So long story short when I saw what Cons10s is doing with the matcha green tea I’ve been eager to give it a try, so I bought green tea bags for my first dose this morning, took my mucuna capsule and drank my tea and nothing happened for my tremor or gait. I also bought 500 mg green tea capsules and took with my second dose of levodopa from mucuna and hurray hip hip hurray I’m swinging arm, hand out of the pocket I’m so excited 😆. Thank you Connie and Steven. Thank you 🙏
So I’ve had a great day thanks to this post, almost 5 hrs tremor relief, I’m overjoyed. I need to look into and experiment with the dose of green tea because I think 500 mg is too much. What do you all think? Have to try the grapefruit juice also.
No breaks from Mucuna other than daily doses ma vary. For instance yesterday (Sunday) I only needed one dose for the day to the typical three doses I take during my work week.
Sorry if you have already posted. But how much and what brand. With food or without.??? Thankyou for your time and insight. Macuna I'm asking about. Cheers.
It took some time to learn the difference between Mucuna and ldopa. Many manufacturers sell concentrated versions. Mucuna naturally has 4-7% ldopa, not very strong, but then several manufacturers sell 15%, 40% and 99%. What I’ve learned is it is extracted changing the properties and becoming more like the pharmaceutical. I always have the 40% Barlowes herb product around, but also take the 99% for my work day, I use both.
Mornings I’ll take one capsule of 40% but as the day goes on I’ll take Nutrivitashop 99% usually about a half gram each for the next two doses, matcha green tea helps the dopa to cross the BBB. Hope that helps.
Hi, This is good to know. I too have tried several, and have found the nutrivitashop very good and very reliable. However, I have not been as steady or consistent on using Matcha. I have found Quercetin a pretty powerful COMT inhibitor, BUT I have not tried them away from Carbidopa just yet. I do however use my own ratio of C/L. Carbidopa is good at what it does, but as sooon as my next shipment comes in, I may just try to jump over.. Should be interesting. I use about 1/6 grams per day... Any suggestions welcome.
I pretty much ended up using the capsules which I still make and find easy to use and transport. I add a little Matcha green tea to the capsule before closing it up. One capsule seems to hold about 500mg of Nutrivitashop 99%. Again topped off w/green tea. Not an exact science but it works for me.
Caution do not use concurrent with drugs to treat Parkinson's.
What are your thoughts?
I use this product before I started Parkinson's medication. Found it to be very calming. Can't get a consensus if I should try to use it with a Parkinson's medication.
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