Soaring Free Superfoods Organic Mucuna Powder

 

Also known as the Velvet Bean, think of Mucuna as nature’s antidepressant and cognitive nootropic. Essential for mental health it enhances mood, cognition and memory and improves sleep! Mucuna pruriens (from the bean family) is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat nervous system disorders, depression, neurodegeneration, low sex drive and infertility.

Here’s how Mucuna works

Mucuna contains bioactive tryptamines, including serotonin and 5-HTP, and is mostly known for containing high amounts of the powerful neurotransmitter L-Dopa. The amino acid L-Dopa is vital, as it converts into dopamine. Our body requires L-Dopa to make dopamine, the “chemical messenger” which our nerve cells need for relaying messages from one to the other.

Dopamine plays a big role in how we feel pleasure. It affects our ability to think and helps us to strive, focus and find things interesting. Our brain also needs it to function properly. When our dopamine levels are depleted (by stress, stimulants and alcohol), this negatively impacts our quality of sleep, mental health, memory and sex drive. What is also interesting is that L-dopa is known to be the most important nutrient for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Let’s look at what it does for the body

Mucuna pruriens as a supplement has noticeable effects on the nervous system. Traditional, as well as scientific evidence, suggests that an active compound in the bean called L-dopa has the potential to:

• increase focus and improve memory
• reduce stress and anxiety
• naturally stimulate the production of more dopamine
• enhance libido
• strengthen the reproductive system in both men and women
• support blood sugar levels
• soothe the digestive system
• improve sleep

Other health benefits of Mucuna include

• neuroprotective – enhances cognition and memory
• mood-boosting and antidepressant properties – improves mood and motivation
• high in nootropic compound L-dopa – boosts dopamine production and assists brain function relating to memory, cognition and happiness
• stimulates libido and testosterone production
• anti-diabetic effects
• boosts antioxidant activity

How to use Mucuna

he taste of mucuna is somewhat bland, as one can expect from a bean. Having said that the medicinal benefits are far from bland or uninspiring! Since mucuna is essentially a legume, which often contains trypsin inhibitors that can reduce its protein absorption, it helps to heat the powder to improve its digestibility.

By using mucuna powder in hot chocolate, hot drinks or baking these inhibitors will be reduced. It also appears that L-dopa is not destroyed through heating of it in this way, so you’re still getting all the mood-elevating potency this super bean has to offer.

Try adding it to lattes, coffee, tea, tonics, and baking. It pairs well with Ashwagandha, cacao, and maca to make powerful, adaptogenic, mood-enhancing combinations.

• Maintenance:  Use 1 – 2 teaspoons (5-10ml) at least once daily for a powerful nutritional boost.
• Therapeutic use: Up to 3 tablespoons (15ml) daily (or as advised by a healthcare professional).

Tip: Mucuna is better digested when heated and its anti-depressant properties are enhanced when used with raw cacao. Beautiful synergies exist when combining raw cacao and mucuna for mental support. Take a look at this amazing recipe to make an effective aphrodisiac, mood-enhancer Mucuna hot chocolate.

Disclaimer

Always check with your healthcare practitioner before using medicinal foods/superfoods such as Mucuna on prescribed medication. Not for use by pregnant women.

Ingredients

100% certified organic Mucuna pruriens powder
77g powder

Product of India

Packaging

Comes in a reusable eco tub which can be added to your compost at the end of its lifespan. The plant-based plastic bag inside the tube is 100% biodegradable. Please add to your compost heap or bokashi bin.