Botanical Index No. 312

Cowitch, Cowhage, Velvetbean

mucuna pruriens

Medicinal Actions

Alexeteric, Analgesic, Anthelminthic, Antidotal, Antiinflammatory, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Cardiodepressant, Carminative, Depurative, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Fungicide, Histaminic, Hyperkinetic, Hypocholesterolemic, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Insecticide, Laxative, Neurotonic, Peristaltic, Proteolytic, Spasmogenic, Stimulant, Tonic, Uterotonic, Colic, Elephantiasis

Primary Conditions Treated

Aphrodisiac Hemostat Nervine Rubefacient Vasodilator Vermifuge Amenorrhea Anasarca Arthrosis Asthma Biliousness Bite Bleeding Cancer abdomen colon Cholecystosis Cholera Cough Cramp Debility Delirium Dention Dermatosis Diabetes Dropsy Dysentery Dysuria Eczema Enterosis Epilepsy Erysipelas Fever Fungus Gas Gonorrhea Gout Headache Hemiplegia Hemorrhoid Hepatosis Herpes High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Hives Hyperglycemia Impotence Infection Infertility Inflammation Insanity Itch Jaundice Leprosy Leukorrhea Miscarriage Myalgia Mycosis Nephrosis Neuralgia Neurosis Pain Paralysis Parkinson’s Disease Parotosis Pleurosis Rheumatism Ringworm Snakebite Sore Spermatorrhea Sterility Sting Swelling Syphilis Toothache Tuberculosis Ulcus cruris Urethrosis Uterosis VD Water Retention Worm

General Dosage

0.5 drachm–40 grains for leukorrhea or spermatorrhea; 0.6–4 g honey or syrup with stinging hairs for worms, for 2–3 days in the a.m.; 1.5–2.5 g powdered seed; 0.625–1.25 g stinging hairs.

Safety & Contraindications

Not covered. Beware of stinging hairs. The potent antiparkinsonian effect is not entirely due to L-dopa. A seed

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