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Dietary supplement

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Samsara Herbs

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract label
See full label image
Powder Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Major
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract is a dietary supplement by Samsara Herbs with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for parkinson's disease symptoms, male fertility and libido, mood and stress support.Based on those ingredients, 193 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Mucuna. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product is a single-ingredient supplement: Mucuna (Cowhage), a concentrated extract at a 20:1 ratio. That means you're getting a potent dose of the plant.

Mucuna naturally contains levodopa, the same active compound used in Parkinson disease medications, so it's much more than a simple herbal extract — it's a drug-like substance and should be treated as such.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Cowhage's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: support healthy brain function, mood and energy.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Parkinson disease, mood support, energy support, cognitive function.
  • The closest evidence on file: Cowhage is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Cowhage is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Parkinson disease.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that this product works reliably for any condition. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate its use for anxiety, skin redness (erythema), high prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia), muscle pain (myalgia), Parkinson disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.

If you're considering it for a specific health reason, talk with your pharmacist or doctor about what the broader research actually shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Cowhage

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Mucuna is generally well tolerated by mouth, but it's an active compound and demands careful use under professional guidance. The most common side effects are digestive — diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach irritation — and some people report dry mouth or headaches.

At higher doses (the kind used in clinical trials), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal bloating have been reported, and insomnia occurred in about 3% of trial participants. During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, and because levodopa affects dopamine, it's best avoided.

While breastfeeding, levodopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so this supplement should not be used.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Cowhage

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Cowhage.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; Parkinson's medications.
  • For scale: 193 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this, check your medications against these categories: monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), methyldopa, levodopa, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, diabetes drugs, guanethidine, and any anesthetics you may need. These interactions are serious — some are Major severity — so don't skip this step.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This is a potent, drug-like extract — not a mild herbal supplement. If you're on psychiatric medications, blood pressure drugs, diabetes medication, or older antidepressants, you need to check your exact prescriptions before considering it.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about whether it's appropriate for you and what dose, if any, makes sense.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 24, 2021.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Samsara Herbs
Barcode (UPC) X000ZEN149
Net contents 8 Oz(s); 227 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 24, 2021
DSLD ID 255603
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
3000 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
3000 mg
Servings per container
75
UPC/BARCODE
X000ZEN149
IngredientAmount% DV
Mucuna3000 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Full Spectrum

Full Spectrum herbal extracts are made by concentrating the herb into an extract form, while maintaining all of its original compounds. The ideal choice for those wanting a more potent version of a complete herbal powder.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Seals/Symbols

GMP Good Manufacturing Practice

3rd party USA tested USA tested

General Statements

About Us At Samsara Herbs, we believe that all positive change in the world must first begin with positive change from within. We invite you to tap into your own infinite power through the use of our potent herbal extracts! We seek out only quality herbs from our trusted sources from around the world for use in our herbal extracts. Samsara Herbs, dedicated to empowering your life force!

Formula

Description Mucuna Pruriens, also known as Velvet Bean, has been used in ancient Ayurvedic practice, which has been used in India since 1500 BC. It is believed to support healthy brain function, mood and energy levels as well as helping to regulate the nervous system. Our water soluble, grade herbal extracts, are best mixed in juice or a smoothie, although mixing in water is perfectly fine if you can tolerate the taste.

Storage

Storage Cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: Take 1 scoop 1-3 times per day or as recommended by your health care professional.

Precautions

Caution: Persons with a known medical condition should consult a health care practitioner before using any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size3000 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container75 Amounts shown are per serving.

Mucuna

Interacts with
193 drugs
3000 mg per serving

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied...

Mucuna monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
193Drugs
17 Major 176 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Mucuna 193

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract interact with 193 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Mucuna

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Mucuna8 drug types · 193 drugs

Levodopa

Concomitant use can increase the risk of levodopa-related adverse effects.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Some cowhage products have been standardized to contain 75-400 mg of levodopa per dose.

Likelihood Likely Evidence D
Methyldopa (Aldomet)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and methyldopa might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with methyldopa might cause additive hypotension. In addition, methyldopa may inhibit peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa and increase levodopa levels in the central nervous system; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Maois)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and non-selective MAOIs might increase the risk of hypertensive crisis.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with non-selective MAOIs might cause hypertensive crisis. However, this interaction has not been reported with MAO-B selective inhibitors such as selegiline.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Anesthesia

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and anesthesia might increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthesia has led to arrhythmias. Other anesthetics have not been implicated. Use other anesthetics in patients taking cowhage or tell patients to stop taking cowhage at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Animal research shows that cowhage might have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antipsychotic Drugs

Theoretically, use of cowhage might decrease the clinical effects of antipsychotic drugs.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa might counteract the antidopaminergic effects of antipsychotic medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Guanethidine (Ismelin)

Theoretically, concomitant use of cowhage and guanethidine might increase the risk of hypotension.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of levodopa with guanethidine might cause additive hypotension; avoid using.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
Tricyclic Antidepressants (Tcas)

Theoretically, use of TCAs might reduce the levels and clinical effects of cowhage.
Cowhage contains levodopa. Use of TCAs might reduce the absorption of levodopa. Some case reports describe patients that developed hypertension and dyskinesia when taking both levodopa and TCAs.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Mucuna full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract, from the product label.

Samsara Herbs

See all Samsara Herbs products
Name
Samsara Herbs Inc. by Aspen Copacking
Street Address
810 North 2800 West
City
Lindon
State
Utah
ZipCode
84042
Phone Number
1-844-972-6727
Web Address
www.SamaraHerbs.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs: Common Questions

Does Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract by Samsara Herbs interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract has a known interaction with 193 medications, including 17 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is Mucuna, and why does it interact with so many medications?
Mucuna (also called Cowhage) is a plant that naturally contains levodopa, the same active drug used in Parkinson disease treatment. Because it's an active compound, not just an herb, it behaves like a medication in your body and can interfere with how other drugs work — especially psychiatric, blood pressure, and diabetes medications.
Can I take this if I'm on an antidepressant?
It depends on which one. Older tricyclic antidepressants can reduce how well this product works and may raise blood pressure; MAOIs (an older psychiatric class) pose a serious risk of a dangerous blood pressure spike. Newer antidepressants aren't listed here, but you need to check your specific medication with us or your pharmacist before starting.
What are the side effects I should watch for?
Most commonly, digestive upset — diarrhea, gas, and stomach irritation. Some people get dry mouth or headaches. At higher doses, nausea, vomiting, and bloating can occur, and about 3% of trial participants reported insomnia.
Is this safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No. During pregnancy, there isn't enough safety data, and its dopamine effects make it best avoided. While breastfeeding, levodopa can lower prolactin and reduce milk supply, so it should not be used.
Does this actually work for Parkinson disease?
Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for Parkinson disease. If you're considering it for that or any other condition, talk with your doctor about what the research actually supports.
Why is this a concentrated extract, and does that matter?
A 20:1 concentration means you're getting a potent dose — 20 pounds of plant material condensed into 1 pound of extract. Yes, it matters: the higher the concentration, the stronger the effect and the greater the risk of interactions or side effects. This isn't a mild supplement.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Cowhage

Interacts with 193 drugs

Cowhage (Mucuna pruriens) is a tropical legume best known as a natural source of L-dopa, the compound the body turns into dopamine. It is most studied for Parkinson's disease symptoms and ma...

Read the full Cowhage monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Mucuna 20:1 Concentrated Extract's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 12 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Cowhage 12 references
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
  2. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  3. Anon. Epidemiological notes and reports: Mucuna pruriens-associated pruritus--New Jersey. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1985;34:732-3.
  4. HP-200 in Parkinson's Disease study group. An alternative medicine treatment for Parkinson's disease: Results of a multicenter clinical trial. J Alt Comp Med 1995;1:249-55. DOI
  5. Infante ME, Perez AM, Simao MR, et al. Outbreak of acute toxic psychosis attributed to Mucuna pruriens. Lancet 1990;336:1129. PubMed
  6. Vaidya AB, Rajagopalan TG, Mankodi NA, et al. Treatment of Parkinson's disease with the cowhage plant-Mucuna pruriens Bak. Neurol India 1978;26:171-6.
  7. Vadivel V, Janardhanan K. Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of velvet bean: an under-utilized food legume in south India. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2000;51:279-87. PubMed
  8. Akhtar MS, Qureshi AQ, Iqbal J. Antidiabetic evaluation of Mucuna pruriens, Linn seeds. J Pak Med Assoc 1990;40:147-50.
  9. Prakash, D., Niranjan, A., and Tewari, S. K. Some nutritional properties of the seeds of three Mucuna species. Int.J.Food Sci.Nutr. 2001;52(1):79-82.
  10. Vadivel, V. and Janardhanan, K. Nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of seven South Indian wild legumes. Plant Foods Hum.Nutr 2005;60(2):69-75. PubMed
  11. Creapure (Creatine Monohydrate). Toxicological Datasheet. Degussa BioActives. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/ohrms/DOCKETS/.../95s-0316-rpt0154-54-Ref-50-vol112.pdf.
  12. Pulikkalpura H, Kurup R, Mathew PJ, Baby S. Levodopa in Mucuna pruriens and its degradation. Sci Rep 2015;5:11078. PubMed

See these in context on the Cowhage monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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