Serving size: 2 Vegi caps
Servings per container: 30
Each 500 mg capsule contains: Kapikachhu

Dosage: One to two Kapikachhu capsules, taken twice a day, daily, could help to improve fertility and libido.

Fertility in men is primarily determined by the quality, quantity and motility of the sperms. A fertile male should have more than 39 million sperms in the semen. A normal sperm features an oval head and a long tail. Fertility problems do not arise if more than four percent of the sperms in the semen have a normal structure and shape. You might experience fertility problems if less than 40 percent of the sperms are motile.

Fertility problems in men are triggered by hormonal imbalance, unhealthy lifestyle, emotional disorders or physical problems.

Infertility occurs when the endocrine system fails to perform its normal function, leading to hormonal imbalance. Disruption in testosterone secretion is usually linked to low sperm count and poor libido. Hormonal imbalance develops if the pituitary gland fails to produce sufficient luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones stimulate the testes to perform their testosterone and sperm producing functions.

Production of certain chemical compounds and hormones might interfere with the normal activities of the male sex hormones. In about 10 to 40% cases of male infertility, excess prolactin secretion is responsible for low sperm production and poor libido. Low libido might even occur if the thyroid gland fails to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism, triggered by underactive thyroid gland, reduces testicular function and reduces the quality of the sperm.

Sexual dysfunction might reduce fertility. Erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorders and low libido are common sexual dysfunctions that might affect men at any age.

Inability to attain or maintain penile erection inhibits intercourse. Although underlying health disorders or chronic ailments account for the majority of cases of impotency, one should not overlook the role of emotional stress in preventing erection. Even few episodes of erection failure might trigger stress, anxiety and depression, which would further worsen the sexual problem. Moreover, elevated level of the stress hormone might interfere with the activities of the hormones needed for maintaining sperm production.

Physical problems might affect the sperm production process or obstruct the movement of the sperms from the testes to the penis. Almost 40% male infertility cases are attributable to varicocele, a condition characterized by enlargement of veins that transport blood away from the testicles. Varicocele might reduce sperm production and cause abnormal changes in the parameters of the sperms.

Infertility develops if the sperms fail to reach the penis. It occurs if the sperm duct is damaged. Genetics might be responsible for this condition. In some cases, sexually transmitted diseases or tuberculosis might damage the sperm ducts. The sperm count and motility might be affected by infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, mumps, influenza, typhoid, small pox and sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, Chlamydia and syphilis.

Increase sperm count and motility

The positive affect of Mucuna pruriens on male fertility have been demonstrated in clinical trials. Treatment with Mucuna pruriens induces secretion of the male hormone testosterone, luteinizing hormone, adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine in infertile male. It also helps to improve fertility in men by suppressing production of prolactin. In addition, intake of Macuna pruriens is linked to higher sperm count and better sperm motility. (Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Shankhwar SN, Rajender S, Jaiswar SP. “Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.” Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1934-40).

Enhances sexual function in diabetics

Elevated blood sugar levels tend to impair sexual activities in diabetics. Experimental studies suggest the Mucuna pruriens could improve sexual behavior in diabetics. It enhances sperm count, improves the quality of sperms and corrects hormonal imbalance by stimulating secretion of luteinizing hormone and testosterone. (Suresh S, Prakash S. “Effect of Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) on Sexual Behavior and Sperm Parameters in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rat.” J Sex Med. 2010 Apr 26).

Reduces stress

Psychological stress is an important cause of poor sexual behavior. Elevated level of the stress hormone suppresses the activities of sex hormones, leading to sexual dysfunction. Studies suggest that Mucuna pruriens improves semen quality in infertile men suffering from psychological stress. Moreover, the aphrodisiac legume possesses antioxidant properties that help to restore the antioxidant defense system of the semen. (Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Jaiswar SP, Shankwar SN, Tiwari SC. “Mucuna pruriens Reduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men.” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2010 Mar;7(1):137-44).

Increase libido

According to ancient Indian medicinal science, Mucuna carries important properties to enhance the libido and therefore, the drug has been used as an aphrodisiac. Mucuna is still in use to increase libido in both men and women due to its dopamine inducing actions. Dopamine has a sound influence on sexual function.

There are many researches and clinical trials indicating Mucuna herb as a very effective nervine tonic and a mild aphrodisiac. Studies have evidenced its usefulness in maintaining optimal performance of the central nervous system in human beings. Mucuna has also been reported assisting normal nerve cell function. It contains active constituent alkaloids such as mucanine, pruridine, tannic acid, resin, lecithin and L-dopa.

Mucuna pruriens’ seed powder contains high concentrations of levodopa. Levodopa is a direct precursor of the neurotransmitter called dopamine. The herb has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine system for various nervous diseases including today’s Parkinsonism. In a particular amount, it also shows mind-booster tonic and calming down the aggressive mind.

Another favorable benefit of Mucuna is that it can promote the production of human growth hormone (HCG), and extracts are commonly highlighted as body-building supplements. Mucuna has also been listed to have safer diuretic effects. It is considered to be an agent that increases tissue resiliency and hence improving coordination in a dull person.

Mucuna pruriens may feature advantages in the long-term management of Parkinson's disease (PD), according to the results of a double-blind, randomized trial published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, & Psychiatry. In a crossover-design trial, eight persons suffering from Parkinson's disease were challenged with single doses of 200/50 mg L-dopa/carbidopa (LD/CD), and 15 and 30 gm of Mucuna preparation in randomized order at weekly intervals. At baseline, patients have had a short-duration L-dopa response and on period dyskinesias. UPDRS (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) and tapping speed were measured at baseline and repeatedly during the 4 hr after drug ingestion.

Onset of effect was noticeably faster with the 30 gm Mucuna preparation as compared to that with standard LD/CD (34.6 vs 68.5 minutes; P = .021), reflected in shorter latencies to peak L-dopa plasma concentrations. Compared with LD/CD, mean on time with 30 gm Mucuna was 21.9% (37 minutes) longer (P = .021), peak L-dopa plasma concentrations were 110% higher, and the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve was 165.3% larger (P = .012). There were no significant differences between treatments in tolerability or in dyskinesias on the modified AIMS and Goetz scales.

In 15 psychiatric patients, Mucuna pruriens 15 gm of crude seed powder was found to drastically inhibit the prolactin response to chlorpromazine injection, as effectively as 0.5 g of L-dopa). No side or harmful effects were observed in those patients ( Vaidya, R. A., Neurology (India), 1978, 26, 177) .

60 patients with Parkinson's disease were treated with Mucuna pruriens in an open study for twelve weeks. Statistically significant reductions in Hoehn and Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale scores were seen form baseline to the end of twelve weeks treatment ( Manyam B.V. 1995, J. Altern. Completment Med. Fall. 1(3): 249-255.)

Seeds of the Mucuna pruriens plant are now established to contain L-DOPA, have long been used for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease in ancient Eastern Indian ethno therapeutics. Following validation of the intrastraital 6-OHDA injection with amphetamine in the parkinsonian mice model, the animals were fed synthetic L-DOPA (125 or 250 mg/kg) or Mucuna pruriens endocarp (MPE, 2.5 or 5.0 g/kg) mixed with mice chow (n =6, for each dose and drug). Controls received no drug. An additional dose of L-DOPA or MPE in the same doses plus carbidopa (50 mg/kg) were administered via gavage (controls received only carbidopa 50 mg/kg) an hour prior to testing with rotometer. Contralateral rotation (to the side of the 6-OHDA lesion) (CLR) was recorded for 240 minutes as a measure of anti-Parkinson activity. Results showed that dose for dose, MPE showed twice the anti-Parkinson action compared with synthetic L-DOPA in inducing CLR in the Parkinson animal model. This study suggests that MPE may contain unidentified anti-Parkinson compounds in addition to L-DOPA, or it may have adjuvants that enhance the efficacy of L-DOPA ( Mucuna pruriens proves more effective than L-DOPA in Parkinson's disease animal model Ghazala Hussian, Bala V. Manyam *Department of Neurology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PO Box 19230, Springfield, Illinois, USA .)

Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae), commonly known as cowhage plant or kapi- kacho or kevach in Hindi, is the most popular drug in the Ayurvedic system of medicine (Chopra, R. N., Nayar, S. L. and Chopra, I. C., Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR,New Delhi, 1956)

Its different preparations (from the seeds) are used for the management of several free radical-mediated diseases such as ageing, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, male infertility and nervous disorders. It is also used as an aphrodisiac and in the management of Parkinsonism, as it is good source of L dopa (Vaidya, R. A., Allorkar, S. D., Seth, A. R. and Panday, S. K., Neurology, 1978, 26, 179–186) The seeds of Mucuna pruriens show hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic acti- vity in experimental rats (Pant, M. C., Uddin, I., Bhardwaj, U. R. and Tewari, R. D., Indian J. Med. Res.,1968, 56, 1808)

Other parts of this plant are also in medicinal use, e.g. trichomes of pods are used for de-worming, decoction of root in delirium, root powder as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Similarly, the paste of fresh root is used in the treatment of lymphoedema.

The Mucuna plant is an annual, climbing shrub with long vines, which can reach over 15 meter in length. The herb bears white, lavender, or purple flowers. Mucuna have pods that are covered in loose orange hairs that can cause a severe itching if come into the contact with the skin. The beans of Mucuna herb are shiny black or brown. The herb’s habitat is found in tropical Africa, India and the Caribbean.

Sperm count and motility could be improved through dietary intervention. Studies suggest that increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables might help to improve fertility. According to researches, almost 83% infertile men consume small amounts of fruits and vegetables, lower than the minimum recommended amount. The sperms might become sluggish by consuming less than five servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Health experts speculate that by negating the activities of free radicals in the semen, antioxidant compounds present in fruits and vegetables help to improve the quality and quantity of the sperms.

Men suffering from fertility problems should especially emphasize on consumption of leafy green vegetables, oranges, tomatoes and pepper. These vegetables and fruits are rich sources of the antioxidant cryptoxanthin and glutanthione that assist development of sperms.

Increasing consumption of beta-carotene rich fruits and vegetables could also improve your sperm count. This essential nutrient, which is converted into vitamin A in the human body, is found in yellow, orange and deep green colored vegetables and fruits. Carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato, apricots, mango, cantaloupe, spinach and leafy green colored vegetables are good sources of beta-carotene.

The antioxidant defense system of the semen could be reactivated by including vitamin E rich foods in your daily diet. Touted to be one of the most powerful antioxidants in nature, vitamin E could significantly enhance the quality and quantity of sperms. This antioxidant vitamin is present in whole grains, nuts, seeds, mango, corn, olive and soybean oils. For assisting optimal sperm production and for aiding absorption of vitamin E, you should add vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables to your meals. Enriching your meals with selenium rich foods might help to strengthen the antioxidant defense system of the semen.

Reduction of zinc in the seminal fluid is linked to male infertility. Zinc deficiency diminishes testosterone secretion. A zinc deficit diet might impair the sperm production process. Absence of zinc in the diet might slow down sperm movement. Oyster, shrimp, meat, spinach, asparagus, mushroom, broccoli, sesame seeds, leafy green vegetables and pumpkin seeds are common sources of zinc.

Magnesium and calcium are also needed for maintaining normal parameters of the sperm and augmenting sperm motility.

Men who are trying to become fathers should quit smoking. Tobacco smoke is harmful for the sperms. Substance abuse is also harmful for the health of the sperms. Exposing the scrotum to heat might inhibit sperm production. Soaking in hot baths for a long time might damage the sperms and reduce fertility. The sperm count would decrease significantly if you soak in water at 104-degree Fahrenheit temperature for more than 30 minutes. Saunas are also harmful for your reproductive health. Exposing the genital organs to electromagnetic field and heat generated by placing laptops on the lap might decrease sperm count and reduce sperm motility. The scrotal temperature might increase even by riding a bike for over 30 minutes. Wearing tight underwear might reduce sperm production by raising the scrotal temperature.

Fatigue and stress might reduce your sex drive. A balanced diet would help to reduce fatigue. Learning relaxation techniques would help to reduce stress and improve your sexual behavior. Fertility problems might worsen emotional stress, which would further lower your sex drive. Behavioral therapy might help to reduce emotional stress. Sharing your problems with your partner might alleviate your emotional difficulties.

Physical activities are beneficial for your overall health, including the health of your reproductive system. Regular exercises would help to improve blood circulation to the reproductive organs. Smooth flow of nutrients and oxygen to the testis and penis might help to sustain normal sperm production. However, high intensity workouts might harm your reproductive health. Too much physical activities tend to elevate the stress hormone level and causes exhaustion. It might temporarily disrupt the hormonal balance and reduce the quality of the sperm.

The excess body fat might suppress the activities of reproductive hormones, which would adversely affect the quality and quantity of the sperm. The quality of the sperms could be enhanced significantly by attaining the normal body mass index.