College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Kapikacchu Herbal Powder (Mucuna pruriens)

Nutritive reproductive tonic & warming aphrodisiac. Calms nerves & reduces tremors.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

The name Kapi Kacchu means 'itchy monkey'. As an aphrodisiac Kapikacchu supports sexual potency, stamina, and control. It builds reproductive fluids. It is one of the most popular medicine in India.

Kapikacchu is a nutritive tonic commonly used in Ayurveda as an aphrodisiac and to support proper function of the reproductive system. It increases sexual energy and strengthens and tones the reproductive organs. In men, kapikacchu supports potency, stamina and control. In women it promotes a healthy libido and fertility. The vitality bestowed by kapikacchu nourishes the entire body and calms the nerves making it an excellent rejuvenative for Vata.

As a nerve tonic and antispasmodic it relaxes all Vata disorders in majja dhatu. Kapikacchu is a natural source of levodopa (L-dopa) which is an essential precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Gokshura is given as a MAO-inhibitor to enhance this effect.

Metabolic Nature of KapiKacchu

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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HEAVY

ABOUT HEAVY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

OILY

ABOUT OILY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

In Ayurveda, oily refers to anything moistening. More specifically, oily refers to building substances that increases fat, or are themselves fatty. For example, sugar is Oily.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OILY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Anti Aging

ANTI-AGING

Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS

, Mind Stress Sleep, Reproductive Health

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of KapiKacchu
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

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Purgative

PURGATIVE

Where general laxatives target the colon, purgatives are strong laxatives that target complete elimination of the small intestine. Use only sporadically as it can be habit forming.

SEE ALL 'PURGATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Nervine

STRONG NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

SEE ALL 'NERVINE' FOODS / HERBS

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Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

SEE ALL 'BRAIN-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Serotonergic

SEROTONERGIC

The feel-good hormone. Also includes serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).

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Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Aphrodisiac

APHRODISIAC

Herbs that increase sexual arousal through various actions including increased circulation, relaxation, stimulation, or tonics that strengthen glandular health.

SEE ALL 'APHRODISIAC' FOODS / HERBS

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Builds Semen

BUILDS-SEMEN

Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.

SEE ALL 'BUILDS-SEMEN' FOODS / HERBS

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Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

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Promotes Fertility

PROMOTES-FERTILITY

An herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).

SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-FERTILITY' FOODS / HERBS

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Testosteronic

TESTOSTERONIC

Androgenic. Stimulates testosterone.

SEE ALL 'TESTOSTERONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Muscle Relaxant

MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

SEE ALL 'MUSCLE-RELAXANT' FOODS / HERBS

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Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

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Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to KapiKacchu

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Purgative, Antispasmodic, Emmenagogue, Relieves-tension, Carminative, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy, Diuretic, Purgative, Antispasmodic, Emmenagogue, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Purgative, Antispasmodic, Emmenagogue, Relieves-tension, Carminative, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Almonds

    Almonds has these Actions in Common

    Builds-semen, Nervine, Aphrodisiac, General-laxative, Stimulates-energy, Brain-tonic, Muscle-relaxant

    LEARN MORE

  • Saffron

    Saffron has these Actions in Common

    Aphrodisiac, Emmenagogue, Carminative, Nervine, Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Nervine, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Aphrodisiac, Emmenagogue, Testosteronic

    LEARN MORE

  • Chocolate (Cacao)

    Chocolate (Cacao) has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Anxiolytic, Nervine, Aphrodisiac, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Emmenagogue, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Carminative, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Brain-tonic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Grape

    Grape has these Actions in Common

    Brain-tonic, General-laxative, Builds-semen, Nervine, Aphrodisiac, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Muscle-relaxant, Brain-tonic, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to KapiKacchu

  • Ashwagandha

    Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Testosteronic, Aphrodisiac, Brain-tonic, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Gokshura

    Gokshura has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Testosteronic, Aphrodisiac, Builds-semen, Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Chastetree Berry

    Chastetree Berry has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Relieves-tension, Serotonergic, Antispasmodic, Aphrodisiac

    LEARN MORE

  • Yogaraj Guggulu

    Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Oats, Fresh Milky Seed

    Oats, Fresh Milky Seed has these Actions in Common

    Brain-tonic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Promotes-fertility, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic

    LEARN MORE

  • Pennyroyal

    Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Lemon Balm

    Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Brain-tonic, Carminative, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Eleuthero Ginseng

    Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Relieves-tension, Stimulates-energy, Testosteronic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Muscle-relaxant, Nervine, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1/4-1/2tsp 2x/day with warm water or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

KapiKacchu may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

KapiKacchu may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with KapiKacchu. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.