Mucuna pruriens is a widely available Indian herb with seeds having wonderful therapeutic properties. The mucuna seeds due to the presence of L-DOPA are in great demand. It is one of the best known natural aphrodisiacs attributing to its anabolic and growth hormone stimulant properties. Seeds of Mucuna pruriens are prescribed in the form of powder in the treatment of leucorrhoea, spermatorrhoea, and in cases requiring aphrodisiac action. Mucuna pruriens seeds are widely used for treating male sexual dysfunction in Unani Medicine, a traditional system of medicine in S. Asia. In 2002, a U.S. patent was filed on the use of Mucuna pruriens to stimulate the release of growth hormone in humans. With its recently documented ability to increase growth hormone and testosterone (thereby increasing muscle mass), Mucuna pruriens has been gaining in popularity over the last few years in the natural products market-especially the sports nutrition industry.

The high levels of L-dopa in the mucuna seed are converted to dopamine which stimulates the release of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. L-dopa and dopamine are also effective inhibitors of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland; increased levels are considered responsible for 70-80% of erection failure in males. In one study, oral intake of the seeds in 56 human males was able to improve erection, duration of coitus, and post-coital satisfaction after only four weeks of treatment. The seed also has fertility promoting and spermatogenic effects in human males, being able to improve sperm count and motility. In another set of treated individuals Mucuna pruriens was found to stimulate testosterone-enanthate induced androgenic activity .The total alkaloids from seeds of Mucuna pruriens were found to bring about a significant increase in the spermatozoa count and in the weights of body testes, seminal vesicles and prostrate of the treated albino rats. The effect of the powdered seeds of Mucuna pruriens on general mating behaviour, libido and potency, was studied in sexually normal male rats wherein it was observed to produce a striking and sustained increase in sexual activity in terms of increased penile reflexes. It was also found to be useful for improving cases of depressed libido and potency and management of premature ejaculation.

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