Other names: Buffalo Bean, Cowage, Itchweed, Velvet Bean, Pois Pouillieux, Pois Velu, Pois à Gratter, Juckbohne, Fava-de-café, Ojo de Buey, Pica-pica, Baršunasti Grah, Cì Máo Lí Dòu, Jeukboontje

Cowhage is native to Africa and tropical Asia. Also called “velvet bean”, it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Cowhage contains the amino acid L-dopa, the most effective pharmacological therapy for the treatment of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. It also contains alkaloids, glycosides, reducing sugars, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, polyphenolic substances, protease inhibitor, and phytic acid.

Cowhage may be beneficial for Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, arthritis, parasitic infections, hyperprolactinemia, pain, fever, snakebites, scorpion bites, male infertility, nervous disorders, and as an aphrodisiac.

Compliance: cosmetics ingredient

Compliance varies from country to country. There is no harmonized botanical list of allowed botanicals in food or food supplements for all EU countries. Compliance for cosmetic ingredients is harmonized in EU.

Please check your local regulation.