diease

KAUNCH BEEJ


WHAT IS KAUNCH BEEJ

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for kaunch beej is Mucuna Pruriens which belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a multi-faceted herb useful in the treatment of sexual and neurological disorders 


What are the other names of KAUNCH BEEJ in various languages

Hindi – Kaunch, Kevanch

English – Cow-hage, Cow-itch, velvet beans

Kannada – Nasukunni

Malayalam – Naikurana

Tamil – Poonai kaali Vithu

Gujarati – Kauchaa

Marathi – Khajkuhili

Sanskrit – Kapikachu


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF KAUNCH BEEJ

Kaunch beej is widely distributed in the tropical region of Asia and Pan tropics and it is found in India up to 1000 meters which includes Andaman ad Nicobar island.

It is a climbing shrub that grows at 15 meters in length and it is young and covered with fuzzy hairs, shed with age. The leaves are ovate and tri-pinnate in shape. The flowers are arranged in axillary arrayed panicles and they contain white, lavender, and purple color flowers. The seeds are brown, round, shiny black, uniform with 1-9 cm long, 0.8-1.3 cm wide, and 4-6.5cm thick. Usually, this plant grows in all types of soil, and the pH range between 6.50 to 7.50

Parts used: Seeds, Roots, Seed pods, and Leaves

Taste: Sweet and Bitter

Potency: Hot


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN KAUNCH BEEJ

On chemical compound analysis of the kaunch beej, it includes

Fixed oil, lipids (6-7%), alkaloid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and proteins (20-29%), carbohydrates (50-60%), fiber (8-10%), saponins, sterols, and minerals.

Alkaloids, alkylamines, arachidic acid, behenic acid, betabarboline, beta-sitosterol, bufotenine, cystine, dopamine, fatty acids, flavones, galactose d, gallic acid, genistein, glutamic acid, glutathione, glycine, histidine, hydroxygenistein, 5-hydroxytryptamine, isoleucine, L-dopa, linoleic acid, linolenic acid lysine, mannose d, methionine, 6-methoxyharman, mucunadine, mucunain, mucunine, myristic acids niacin, nicorine, oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, phenylalanine, prurienidine, prurienine, riboflavin, saponins, serine, serotonin, stearic acid, stizolamine, threonine, trypsin, tryptamine, tyrosine, valine, and vernolic acid

ACTIONS:

  • Anti-parkinson
  • Hyperprolactinemia
  • Anti-asthmatic
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-arthritis
  • Anti-asthmatic
  • Anti-anxiety
  • Stress
  • Nervine tonic
  • Neuro-restorative
  • Androgenic
  • Spermatogenic
  • Erectogenic
  • Strengthening


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF KAUNCH BEEJ

  • The decoction of the seeds is used in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis
  • The seeds are used as a tonic to treat aphrodisiac and parkinsonism diseases
  • The powder obtained from the kaunch seed is mixed with honey to treat leucorrhea
  • The root decoction is used to treat neuromuscular disorders like paralysis, and hemiplegic
  • The seed powder of Kaunch used along with honey and ginger juice to treat allergic bronchitis
  • The paste of the beans helps to absorb the scorpion stings poison


DOSAGE OF KAUNCH BEEJ

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Powder: 6-19gm

Seed extract: 250-500mg

Decoction: 5-15ml


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING KAUNCH BEEJ

  • Accidental injection of hairs or seeds of the kaunch beej may cause mucosal irritation and it should be avoided
  • Do not use this herb if you are having gastritis
  • Kaunch beej helps to reduce the blood sugar level, monitor the blood glucose level if you are taking any other anti-diabetic drug along with Kaunch beej

  • Kaunch beej helps to reduce the blood pressure, monitor the blood pressure if you are taking any other antihypertensive drug along with Kaunch beej


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING KAUNCH BEEJ

  • Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the constituents of Kaunch beej

  • Avoid this herb if you are breastfeeding or pregnant


BENEFITS OF KAUNCH BEEJ

Increasing sexual desire:

Traditional view: The use of kaunch beej improve the production of semen by its Guru (heavy) and Vrushya (aphrodisiac) activities

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder and mix it with honey or with 1 cup of lukewarm milk and consume it after your meals

Modern view: Kaunch beej produces its action by improving the motility and count of sperm and it also helps to reduce the physiological stress and increase the quality of semen by its antioxidant properties

Parkinson’s diseases:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, the disease condition Vepathu is correlated with Parkinson’s disease that occurs due to an imbalance of Vata. The use of kaunch beej powder helps to regulate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease by balancing Vata.

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder and mix it with honey or with 1 cup of lukewarm milk and consume it after your meals

Modern view: Parkinson’s disease occurs due to the decrease in the number of dopamine-producing neurons and this drop in dopamine level in the brain leads to tremor, movement stiffness, and imbalance. The kaunch beej  has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects and the seeds of this herb contain L-dopa which is converted into dopamine and restores in the brain which results in improving the symptoms of Parkinson’s diseases

Arthritis:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, arthritis occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. The use of kaunch beej powder helps to balance the imbalance of Vata by reducing the pain in joints and bones

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder and mix it with honey or with 1 cup of lukewarm milk and consume it after your meals

Modern view: Due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities it helps to reduce the pain and inflammation in the joints and bones

High level of prolactin:

Prolactin is a hormone that is required for breastfeeding mothers during lactation. Overproduction of this hormone may lead to breast cancer. The kaunch beej contain L-dopa inhibit the production of prolactin hormone by preventing the growth of cells that cause cancer and it also leads to cell death so the use of this herb helps to reduce the level of prolactin hormone

Diabetes:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, one of the most important causes of diabetes is weakness. The use of kaunch beej reduce the risk of diabetes by improving the Balya (strengthening) activity

Modern view: Kaunch contain d-chiro-inositol which mimics the action of insulin. The use of this herb helps to reduce the risk of diabetes by increasing glucose metabolism by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Snake venom poisoning:

During snake poisoning, kaunch beej stimulate the antibodies production that binds and inhibit the protein in the snake venom by its anti-snake venom

Increase testosterone level:

Kaunch beej contains L-dopa which helps to stimulate the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone which activate the pituitary gland to secrete the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone this increase in the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone level increase the production of testosterone by Leydig cells of the testis

Insect bite:

Due to its Ropan (healing) effect, it helps to reduce the poisonous effect of insect bite

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder and mix this with milk and make a paste and apply this paste on the affected area and leave it for a while and wash with fresh water

Wound healing:

Kaunch beej helps to heal the wound quickly by decreasing the swelling and bring the skin texture into normal. Due to its Ropan (healing) activity, boiled water of kaunch helps to heal the wound and decrease the inflammation

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder and mix this with milk and make a paste and apply this paste on the affected area and leave it for a while and wash with fresh water


HOW CAN YOU ADD KAUNCH BEEJ IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

The kaunch beej comes in various formulations includes

Internal use:

Kaunch powder

With honey:

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add honey into it and consume it after your meals

With milk:

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and 1 cup of milk and boil it for 3-4 minutes and consume it after your meals

Kaunch beej capsules and tablets:

Take the required amount of kaunch beej capsule or tablet as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and take it with water after your meals

Internal use:

Kaunch beej powder:

Take the required amount of kaunch beej powder and mix this with milk and make a paste and apply this paste on the affected area and leave it for a while and wash with fresh water to cure wound healing


SIDE EFFECTS OF KAUNCH BEEJ

  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Agitation

  • Hallucinations


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON KAUNCH BEEJ

Is kaunch beej powder available in the market?

Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.

How to store kauch beej powder?

It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children