(Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.

Local name(s): ຕຳ ​ແຍ (tam yay)

Medicinal use(s): cough 

Part(s) used: root

Field Characters: Vine, trifoliate, leaves with obvious stipules, fruits are hairy pods that cause severe itching.

Locality: Champasak Province, Sanasomboune District, Nong Hoy Village; Bachieng District, Nohn Sai Village

Habitat: Disturbed areas, sandy red soil, partial shade.

Altitude: 110-140 m asl 

Collector(s): B. Elkington, O. Souliya, S. Nheunphonsavath

Collection number(s): BGE 94, BGE 116

Collection Date: August 10, 2007; April 21, 2009

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2284995, 2301569.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 

Plants of the World onlineFlora of China Vol. 10 Page 208, 210, 217, 218Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Useful references:


Fothergill-Misbah N, Maroo H, Cham M, et al. Could Mucuna pruriens be the answer to Parkinson's disease management in sub-Saharan Africa and other low-income countries worldwide?. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2020 Mar 10;73:3-7. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.03.002. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32179240.
Pinto IR, Chaves HV, Vasconcelos AS, et al. Gastropathy: Involvement of Alpha-2 Adrenoceptors and Prostaglandins. Curr Pharm Des. 201;25(12):1430-1439. doi: 10.2174/1381612825666190524081433. 
Ulu R, Gozel N, Tuzcu M, et al. The effects of Mucuna pruriens on the renal oxidative stress and transcription factors in high-fructose-fed rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018 Aug;118:526-531. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.05.061. Epub 2018 May 31. PubMed PMID: 29860019.