Mucuna pruriens is a popular medicinal plant in odisha,which is found throughout in Odisha, also has long been used among tribal groups of Odisha.Mucuna pruriens is a creeping legume, which is attractive in this region for its soil covering capacity. This legume offers good mulch and soil cover and farmers are getting more and more interested in its nutritive capacities. Locally, it is being used for tea as well as mulch in cereal mixtures in the North and Far North provinces of Cameroon. The origins of the existing varieties are however doubtful as farmers no longer remember where the seeds were obtained. Their productivity and performance can therefore not be justified. Several other Mucuna varieties are being used in other countries in the region for purposes ranging from weed control, soil cover and both animal and human consumption. These varieties have different characteristics that differentiate them from each other even though not often identifiable from the seeds.In many parts of the world Mucuna pruriens is used as an important forage, fallow and green manure crop. Since the plant is a legume (peas and beans), it fixes nitogen and fertilizes soil.In history, M. pruriens has been used as an effective aphrodisiac. It is still used to increase libido in both men and women due to its dopamine inducing properties. Dopamine has a profound influence on sexual function.The hairs on the outside of the pods of Mucuna pruriens are a common ingredient in itching powder.
Common names
- Kara Benguk in Javanese language
- Khaajkuiri in Marathi
- poonaikkaali in Tamil
- Velvet bean in English language
Phytochemical evalution on the seeds revealed the presence of 5-indolic compounds, especially tryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, alkaloids like mucunine, prurine etc.
Fig :- Pods of Mucuna pruriens.
The hairs lining the seed pods and the small spicules on the leaves contain 5-hydroxytryptamine,which cause severe itching,when touched.
Sanjeet Kumar
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