Kounch Beej

Product information

Scientific Name: Mucuna pruriens

Seed Shape: Ovoid, Bean shaped

Seed Size: 1-1.5 cm long

Seed Colour: Black and White

Usage: For germination

Age: Fresh

Origin: India

Packing: In plastic bag

Seed availability: Throughout the year

General Details

Botanical Name: Mucuna pruriens

English Name: Cowitch, cowhage, Velvet Bean, Buffalo Bean

Hindi Name: Kaunch beej, Kawach beej, Kapikachhu

Family: Fabaceae

Propagation: By seeds

Medicinal Properties

Seeds: Hepatoprotective, Anti-viral, Anti-cancer, Anti-diabetic, Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Hypocholesterolemic, Analgesic/ antispasmodic, Androgenic.

General characteristics

Kaunch is one of the popular medicinal plants of India. It is widespread over most of the subcontinent and is found in bushes and hedges and dry-deciduous, low forests throughout the plains of India. It is an annual twinning, climbing shrub with long vines that can reach over 15 m in length. Leaves are trifoliate, gray-silky beneath; petioles are long and silky, 6.3–11.3 cm.

Leaflets are membranous, terminal leaflets are smaller, lateral very unequal sided. Dark purple flowers (6 to 30) occur in drooping racemes. Fruits are curved, 4–6 seeded. The longitudinally ribbed pod, is densely covered with persistent pale-brown or grey trichomes that cause irritating blisters. Seeds are black ovoid and 12 mm long.

Medicinal Uses

Kaunch being a strong aphrodisiac has been long used to increase the sexual libido in both men and women and especially to treat erectile dysfunction in men. The beans are being also used on sportspersons to increase their muscle mass. These seeds also help in improving the memory power and help to gain weight which is lost due to excessive exercise. 

Oral intake of seeds helps in promoting fertility and improves erection. People also use these seeds for treating intestinal gas, diarrhea, cough, rheumatic disorder, muscular pain, diabetes, menstrual pain and tuberculosis. It is used to stimulate growth of hormones.

It reduces spasms, relieves pain and lowers blood sugar and blood pressure. It increases urination, reduces fever and is a good cough suppressant. It calms nerves, reduces nerve pain, lowers cholesterol, acts as a weight loss aid and reduces inflammation.