The Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens), also called Cowitch, Cowhage, Bengal Velvet Bean, or Monkey Tamarind, is a remarkable tropical legume native to Africa and Asia. This fast-growing climbing vine, reaching up to 15 m (50 ft) in length, is admired for its vigorous growth, ornamental beauty, and multifunctional agricultural benefits. Known for its soft velvet-like pods that can cause intense itching on contact (due to the compound mucunain), Mucuna pruriens has long held significance in both farming and traditional medicine.
🌿 Type: Annual climbing vine
🌸 Flowers: White, lavender, or purple, arranged in long panicles
🌾 Pods: 10 cm long, covered in orange hairs, each containing up to 7 seeds
⚖️ Seed Weight: 55–85 g per 100 seeds
🌍 Origin: Africa, South & Southeast Asia
When young, the plant is covered in fine fuzzy hairs, which disappear as it matures. Its large tripinnate leaves and long vines make it ideal for trellises, fences, or natural shade structures.
Mucuna pruriens is widely used as a green manure and cover crop thanks to its ability to fix nitrogen and enrich soil. Farmers use it for forage, silage, and hay, as it provides 20–35 % crude protein in dried beans and up to 23 % protein in silage. It helps suppress invasive grasses such as Imperata cylindrica and improves soil fertility naturally.
In Indonesia (Java), the beans are fermented into a traditional food called Tempe Benguk, a nutritious soy alternative. Cooked shoots and seeds are also eaten after thorough boiling, which removes most of the natural L-DOPA compounds.
Used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for centuries, Velvet Bean seeds are valued for their high L-DOPA content (3–6 %), a natural precursor to dopamine. They have been studied as a natural supplement supporting Parkinson’s disease management and nervous system health. The plant is also used in rural communities as a snakebite antidote and tonic.
However, due to its potency, proper preparation (soaking and boiling) is required before any consumption.
The pod hairs of Mucuna pruriens were once used in itching powder formulations for their strong irritant properties. Locally, it’s even called “Devil Bean” or “Mad Bean” for this reason!
📅 Sowing Time: Spring or early summer
🌡️ Temperature: 20–30 °C
☀️ Light: Full sun
🌱 Spacing: 60–100 cm
💧 Watering: Regular, avoid waterlogging
⏳ Germination: 7–14 days
Velvet Bean thrives in warm, humid environments and requires a sturdy support structure for climbing. Ideal for tropical and subtropical gardens, permaculture systems, or soil regeneration projects.
✅ Tip: Pair with Cacao Tree Seeds or Griffonia simplicifolia Seeds for a collection of natural, dopamine-enhancing plants.
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| Type of Delivery | Processing Time | Insured | Possible Delays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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