Mucuna pruriens

Safety & Hazards

The seed pods are covered with reddish-orange irritant hairs that are readily dislodged and can contaminate clothes or other objects. The hairs act as a mechanical-chemical skin-irritant and, even Mucuna species in general possess irritant hairs on the leaves, seedpods etc. 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[ 1533 Title Notes on Malesian Fabaceae (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) 16. The genus Mucuna Publication Blumea 61, 2016: 90-124 Author Wiriadinata H.; Ohashi H.; Adema F. Website http://dx.doi.org/10.3767/000651916X692799 Publisher Year 2016 ISBN Description An excellent treatment ]. The hairs can contaminate clothes or other objects, and remain active when dried, though they can be destroyed by heat[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. , 374 Title Contact-Poisonous Plants of the World Publication Author Rohde. M. Website http://mic-ro.com/plants/ Publisher Year 2006 ISBN Description A document on the internet. Gives brief information on about 35 species of plants that can cause severe problems from a single contact with the skin. , 1309 Title The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation Publication Author Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. Publisher University of Wisconsin Year 1981 ISBN 0-333-32221-5 Description An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus. ]. 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[ 374 Title Contact-Poisonous Plants of the World Publication Author Rohde. M. Website http://mic-ro.com/plants/ Publisher Year 2006 ISBN Description A document on the internet. Gives brief information on about 35 species of plants that can cause severe problems from a single contact with the skin. ]. The seed contains a range of anti-nutritive substances and can be toxic for human and non-ruminant animal consumption. The most important toxic compounds are the non-protein amino acids L-dopa (content in seeds <2% - >7%) and hallucinogenic tryptamines[ 415 Title Tropical Forages Publication Author Website http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Mainly focussed on forage plants, the site gives a lot of information on the plant, with a good botanical description, details of cultivation, plant uses and a good selection of photographs. ]. Furthermore, trypsin-inhibiting activities have been detected in the seed[ 415 Title Tropical Forages Publication Author Website http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Mainly focussed on forage plants, the site gives a lot of information on the plant, with a good botanical description, details of cultivation, plant uses and a good selection of photographs. ].