MUCUNA PRURIENS - COWITCH.
Synonym
Dolichos pruriens.
Common name
Velvet bean, cowhage, sea beans, nescafe, kratzbohnen, cowitch, ojo de venado, true sea-bean, kaw ai.
Family
Fabaceae / Legume family.
Overview
Nescafe is a climbing woody vine (liana) from the rainforest in Suriname with purple flowers.
The species Mucuna sloanei (horse eyes - or hamburger bean), has beautiful yellow flowers but is almost identical with Mucuna pruriens.
These flowers are pollinated by bats.
The seed pods, about 4 inch long, are covered with very small velvety hairs that can be very painful on contact with the skin. The seeds resemble the eye of a bull; they are often collected and made into lovely necklaces and bracelets.
The seeds of nescafe in the pods are rich in amino acid L dopa, precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
It is applied to patients suffering from Parkinson disease.
L Dopa stimulates human growth hormone released by the pituitary gland. Mucuna pruriens increases testosterone levels. Nescafe is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and also used as an
aphrodisiac.
The toasted ground seeds are used as a coffee substitute in Brazil; the young pods are cooked and eaten in India.
Suriname's traditional medicine
The burned seeds are used as an ointment against swollen glands.
Hardiness
USDA zone 9B - 11.
Propagation
Seeds.
Culture
Full sun / light shade, needs high humidity.
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