Mucuna pruriens or Kaunch beej is a climbing leguminous plant, that thrives in tropical environs of India, China as well as other warm locales in Asia, Africa, and America. It is a leguminous food crop that belongs to the Fabaceae plant family. The plant usually reaches a height of up to 15 meters, with long, flexible branches, vivid green leaves arranged alternately, and bearing white flowers. The most widely consumed part of the Kaunch Beej plant is the seed pods/legumes, covered by a thick, hairy layer and encompassing the four to six seeds, also edible, that are dark brown.

Kaunch beej, or cowhage, is widely known as “the magic velvet bean." It is a leguminous plant and is a good source of protein. Kaunch Beej increases sexual desire as well as the quality and quantity of sperm due to its aphrodisiac property. It helps in the management of nervous disorders like Parkinson's disease and controls the symptoms of arthritis. The most effective way of consuming Kauch Beej powder is with milk. It might also help reduce the risk of breast cancer. External exposure to the hair of the Kauch Beej pod or the seed itself can cause severe itching, burning, and rashes.

Kaunch Beej may be used for a variety of ailments due to its beneficial properties:

It may show anti-parasitic properties.

It may have anti-microbial properties.

It may have antioxidant properties.

It may have anti-inflammatory properties

It may show some anti-venom activity.

It may show anti-debility (physical weakness) activity.

It may show blood sugar-lowering properties.

Other benefits: 

Kaunch Beej for Parkinson’s Disease:

Levodopa has been the most widely used drug to treat Parkinson’s disease since the 1960s. However, low-income countries are at a disadvantage when making use of it due to its cost. Recently, Kaunch Beej with its L-dopa component may have shown potential to help with Parkinson’s disease. It may also exhibit fewer adverse effects than levodopa in studies. This may indicate the potential Kaunch Beej in Parkinson’s disease. However, it is a severe condition and needs proper medical intervention. Please consult your doctor for better advice.

Kaunch Beej for Diabetes:

In studies, the Kaunch Beej extract is found to have a strong ability to reduce blood glucose levels. Additionally, there may be weight loss in persons with diabetes due to muscle wasting. Kaunch Beej, research and observations demonstrated that the amount of weight loss due to diabetes was reduced due to Kaunch Beej. This may indicate some beneficial effects of Kaunch Beej in diabetic persons, but you must always consult a doctor for conditions like diabetes.

Side Effects of Kaunch Beej:

The most common side effects of Kaunch beej include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Abdominal bloating

Some of the other possible side effects may be:

Hallucination

Rapid heartbeat

Abnormal body movement

Insomnia

In India, Kaunch Beej, also known as Mucuna pruriens or Velvet Bean, is referred to by different names depending on the region:

Hindi: Kaunch Beej or Kaunch

Tamil: Pavala Kizhangu

Telugu: Kaunchu Pindi or Kaunchu Beej

Kannada: Kaunch Beej or Kaunchu

Malayalam: Kaunchi or Kaunchu

Marathi: Kaunch or Kaunch Beej

Gujarati: Kaunch or Kaunch Beej

Bengali: Kaunch or Kaunch Beej

For Detailed Benefits of Kaunch Seeds, Please read - Health Benefit of Kaunch Beej Safed

Other Names : Kaunch Seeds Black , Mucuna Pruriens Black , Cowhage, Kiwanch, Kauch, Kauch Beej Kala, Konch, Koch, Kouch, Kunch, Khaunch, Koonch, Kounch, Kapikachu, Kapikachhu, Kaunj, Kewanch, Conch Bij, Velvet Beans, Kawach Beej, Kali Kaunch, Velvet Bean Seed, Cauch kala, Kawcha, Kapikacchu, Kaucha, Konj, Alkushi, Coach Bij, Caunch, Counch, Kaounch, Coanch, Caonch, Kaonch, Koanch, Kabach, Kawach, Kavach, Dulagondi