Botanical name: Mucuna pruriens Other names: Cowhage, mucunu, kapikacchu, kawachbeej Family: fabaceae Part used: Bean Taste (rasa): Sweet, bitter Characteristic (guna): Heavy, unctuous Energy (veerya): Hot Post digestive effect (vipak): Sweet Dosha effect: VP-, K+ Action (karma): Improves fertility, intellect and digestion Dose: 5-15 g/day as a powder

Ref: ‘Ayurvedic Medicine’ by Sebastian Pole; ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants’ by Vaidya V.M. Gogte; ‘Yogi of Herbs’ by V. Lad & D. Frawley; ‘Herbs Are Special’ by Isabel Shipard.