Mucuna pruriens

Botanical name : Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC.
Family : Fabaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Atmagupta, Kapikacchu, Ajada, Markati, Kulakshaya

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Madhura, Tikta
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Madhura

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Common cowitch, Cowhage.
Hindi : Gonacha, Kaunch
Malayalam : Naikuruna, Naikkorana, Chorivalli

Distribution – Throughout India, growing wild, also cultivated.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
An annual or perennial climber with hairy branches. Leaves trifoliate, leaflets ovate or rhomboid ovate, membranous, pubescent above; flowers purple in axillary drooping pendulous racemes; fruits curved pods, densely clothed with pale brown irritant hairs, seeds black, ovoid, 4-6 per pod.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, constipation, impotency, Parkinsonism, kidney diseases, neuropathy, worm infestations, fever and general debility.
Useful part : Fruits, Leaves, Seeds, Hairs.