Kounch Beej कौचा बीज/ आत्मगुप्ता (Khada) - Mucuna pruriens (Leguminosae/ Fabaceae)

Kounch Beej/ Atmagupta (आत्मगुप्ता), Markati (मर्कटी), Kandura (कण्डुरा), Shukshimbi (शूकशिम्बी), Kewach (केवांच), Pravrushayani (प्रावृषायणी), Horase eye bean, Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु) Seeds, Cowhage/ Cowitch,

गुरु, स्निग्ध, मधुर, तिक्त, मधुर, उष्ण, वॄष्य Part Used: बीज, रोम, मूल

Kounch bean is also known as Velvet Beans is a widely used herb since ancient times for the management of male infertility, nervous disorder, Neurodegenerative -Parkinson's disease/ Kampavata (This disease occurs due to the damage of dopaminergic nerve cells in the brain). (Kounch beej churna has potential antiparkinson and neuroprotective effects due to its anti-oxidant activity (Does't cause drug-induced dyskinesias) Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by low dopamine level in the brain - Synthetic L Dopa Which is present in velvet bean naturally give good result and less side effects). It is considered a valuable source of dietary proteins 27%s (High protein concentration and easily digestible protein substance). Velvet beans contain L-Dopa (Levodopa) hallucinogenic tryptamines and anti-nutritional factors such as phenols and tannins. Velvet beans are well known for nematicidic effects and toxic supplements (to control parasitic worms such as roundworms and threadworms).

In Ayurveda, Kounch beej is processed for shodhan and then used. used as an aphrodisiac-Vrsya karma is defined as a therapy for getting sexual urges and augmenting the effect and toning up the body by restoring physiology used to treat arthritis, In scorpion stings paste is applied and it is thought to absorb the poison. Velvet beans have anti-epileptic and anti-neoplastic activity, antimicrobial agent, anti-helminthic activity, and excellent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.