Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa): Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta)
Quality (Guna): Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
Potency (Virya): Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka): Sweet (Madhura)
Key Constituents: L-DOPA, Mucunine, Prurienine, Fat-splitting enzyme, Alkaloids
Also Known As: English: Cowhage, Cowitch, Velvet Bean
Sanskrit: कपिकच्छु, आत्मगुप्ता, मर्कटी, शूकशिम्बी, कण्डुरा, प्रावृषायणी
Hindi: केवाँच, कौंच

What is Cowhage / Kapikacchu (कपिकच्छु)?

Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens) is a well-known climbing plant whose seeds are highly valued as an aphrodisiac (Vrishya) and Vata-alleviating remedy. The plant is covered with stinging hairs on its pods that cause intense itching (Kandu). The seeds are the main part used medicinally. It is described in all Vaishajya names as a premier Vata-shamaka and Vrishya drug. The seeds nourish all Dhatus and increase Shukra (reproductive tissue). The plant has trifoliate leaves and produces characteristic curved pods covered with irritating trichomes. Seeds are used in Parkinsonism (due to L-DOPA content), nervous debility, seminal weakness, and general tonic. The hair of pods is traditionally used as an anthelmintic - mixed with honey it expels roundworms. The roots are also used medicinally as Vrishya. Multiple species including M. pruriens and M. utilis are used. Dose: seed powder 3-6 masha; root powder 1 karsha.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

Vrishya (aphrodisiac)
Balya (strengthening)
Vatahara (alleviates Vata)
Brumhana (nourishing)
Grahi (absorbent/binding)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

How to Use Kapikacchu by Condition

Explore how Kapikacchu is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

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Kapikacchu for Weakness & Debility

▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)

References in Charaka Samhita

One pala of each of tvak-kshiri, shravani (munditika), draksha, murva, rushabhaka, jivaka, vira (vidarikanda), riddhi, kshirakakoli, brihati, kapikacchu, fruit of kharjura and meda should be made into paste by triturating with milk.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा)

(Haritaki, bibhitaki, amalaki), draksa,kasmarya,kharjura,parusaka,patha,kantakari,goksura,bala,mahabala,truti(smaller cardamom), tamalaki, kapikacchu, meda, mahameda, madhuka, madhuka, salaparni, satavari, jivaka, prsniparni.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

The 640 grams ghee and four times of milk, 10gm paste of each jivanti, triphala, meda, mridvika, rddhi, parusaka, samanga,chavika, bharangi, devadaru, kapikacchu, mahameda, talamastaka, kharjuramustaka, bisa,shaluka, shringi, jivaka, padmaka, shatavari, vidari, ikshu, brihati, two types of sariva, murva, gokshura, rishabhaka, shringataka, kasheruka, rasna, shalaparni, tamalaki, sukshmaila, shati, pushkaramula, punarnava, tugakshiri, kakoli, dhanvayasa, kharjura, akshota, vatama,munjata, abhishuk
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Later add 512 tolas (60144 l) of sesame oil and equal quantity of milk in this decoction, along with paste of 1 tola (12 gm) each of cardamom, ela, mamsi, nata, ushira, sariva, kushtha, chandana, bala, tamalaki, meda, shatapushpa, riddhi, jeevaka, kakoli, ksheerakakoli, shravani, atibala, nakha, mahashravani, jeevanti,vidari, kapikacchu, shatavari, mahameda, karkata, harenu, vacha, gokshura, eranda, rasna, kala, sahachara, bala, veera, shallaki, musta, tvak, patra, rishabhaka, balaka, ela, kunku
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)

References in Sharangadhara Samhita

That substance from which sexual desire toward women is aroused is called Vajikarana (aphrodisiac), like Nagabala (Grewia hirsuta) and the seed of Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)

Also add: Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Gaja Pippali (Scindapsus officinalis), Bala (Sida cordifolia), and Pushkaramoola (Inula racemosa) — each in two Palas (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

The Kalka (paste) ingredients are: Mridvika/Draksha (Vitis vinifera — raisins), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Pippali (Piper longum), Raktachandana (Pterocarpus santalinus — red sandalwood), Patraka (Cinnamomum tamala), Nagapushpa (Mesua ferrea), and Atmagupta/Kapikacchu fruits (Mucuna pruriens).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)

Also: Murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), Madhurasa/Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra — licorice), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Pushkara Moola (Inula racemosa), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), and Trikantaka/Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.