Common Name:

General Information

Mucuna urens is a vigorous climbing shrub, climbing over tall trees[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, source of beads and fibre, and possibly also as a food.

Known Hazards

Mucuna species often possess irritant hairs on the seedpods and sometimes on the flowers and other parts. These hairs consist of 1-2 small basal cells and a large needle-like top cell. The top cell breaks off easily, piercing the skin and injecting chemical compounds that are present in the hairs. The proteolytic enzyme 'Mucunain' is said to be the active agent[].
The hairs can contaminate clothes or other objects, and remain active when dried, though they can be destroyed by heat[, , ]. Intense itching, with reddening of the skin and small papules or urticaria occur a few minutes after contact with the hairy parts of the plant. There is no serious danger, unless the hairs get into the eye, in which case, in extreme situations, they have caused blindness. To remove the hairs from the skin, adhesive tape and washing with water and soap are considered useful. Dermatitis can be treated with corticosteroid ointment. See a doctor immediately if hairs go into the eyes[].

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Guatemala; Caribbean - Trinidad to Cuba.

Habitat

Forests and thickets, usually at low elevations but sometimes ascending to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade. Mucuna species generally grow best in a shady position in a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Seed[]. The dried seeds are ground to produce a flour, which is used as food in times of famine caused by drought[].
The seeds are considered edible by some, poisonous by others[]. Even if it is edible, it is likely to require thorough cooking in order to destroy any harmful compounds[].

Medicinal

The root is mixed with honey and used to combat cholera[].

The hairs from the seedpod are mixed in molasses syrup and then drunk as a vermifuge to expel intestinal worms, with a chaser of rhubarb juice[].

A cataplasm of the bark and ground seeds is recommended for the treatment of inguinal hernia[].

The seed is used for the treatment of itches[].

A coldwater infusion of the crushed leaves is used as a wash to relieve abdominal pains[].

The sap from the cut stems is rubbed on sprains, rheumatic areas, contusions and sore muscles; and is used for the treatment of children's fevers[].

The plant contains physostigmine[].
The seeds contain the amino acid L-dopa (levodopa), which stimulates the formation of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain[].

Other Uses

The seeds are used in necklaces and ornaments[].

A fibre from the stems is used to make very strong ropes[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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