Home > Herbs > Mucuna Pruriens Var Pruriens

cow-itch

Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Cow-itch, scientifically known as Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens, is a climbing legume renowned in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Distinguished by its irritating, hair-covered pods, this plant is highly valued for its high L-dopa content. It is primarily utilized to support neurological health, balance hormones, and enhance overall cognitive function.

Family
Fabaceae
Native range
Africa
Parts used
Root
Common names
Cow-Itch · Cowitch
Scientific synonyms
Stizolobium Axillare · Stizolobium Velutinum · 11 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • chiporro
  • picapica

German:

  • Juckbohne

French:

  • pois pouilleux

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is part of the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Mucuna, under the variety pruriens.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae
Genus Mucuna

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct tropical regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be specifically found in Cape Verde. Its range extends significantly into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Benin. Furthermore, the species is present in the landlocked nation of Burkina. Finally, its presence is also noted in the coastal West Tropical African country of Guinea-Bissau and throughout Ghana.

Region Area
Macaronesia Cape Verde
West Tropical Africa Benin
West Tropical Africa Burkina
West Tropical Africa Ghana
West Tropical Africa Guinea-Bissau
West Tropical Africa Guinea
West Tropical Africa Ivory Coast
West Tropical Africa Liberia
West Tropical Africa Nigeria
West Tropical Africa Senegal

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Plant parts reported in Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Root

  1. Biotechnology progress

Chemicals

Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include L-dopa.

Chemicals reported in Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
L-dopa 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

L-dopa

  1. Scientific reports
  2. Biotechnology progress

Preparations

Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hairy root cultures, transformed root cultures.

Preparations reported for Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Hairy root cultures 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Transformed root cultures 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Hairy root cultures

  1. Biotechnology progress

Transformed root cultures

  1. Biotechnology progress