there's an amazing PWP who lives in canada and contributes every once in a while to kathrynne holden's dietitian forum ([log in to unmask]).

i'm sure both would not mind if i forward ken allan's incredible report to this list...

happy new year! :)
ariela

----- Start Forwarded Message -----
Sent: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 12:48:45 -0500ask dietitian 
From: ask dietitian <[log in to unmask]>
To: "Ask the Parkinson Dietitian" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Fwd: growing fava beans

Hi Kathrynne

A report on my bean growing trials for the summer of 2006 is now posted at

http://home.cogeco.ca/~allan/medicinal_beans.html

This is not a success story but I think I learned enough to be able to do
much better next year.

KenA

*************

Ken, you have done a truly amazing job of documenting, photographing, and analyzing these crops.  I encourage all forum members to visit the site -- the pictures alone are well worth it!

Best regards,
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD

======================================================  

----- Start Original Message -----
Sent: Thu, 28 Dec 2006 07:21:41 -0700
From: "Scott E. Antes" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: "Dopa  Bean"

> Laureen has tried Mucuna pruriens.  She definitely had a response, but it was
> not positive (she developed hallucinations).  She was not on meds at the time.
>  I think she took 3 or 4 capsules several days in a row, which is far less
> than people who were in the clinical studies of this bean.  She's reluctant to
> try it again.  So, I am taking it, just to get rid of it--a capsule a day.
> No, I am not experiencing increased libido or anything else from it, that I
> notice.  What health practitioners (both natural and allopathic) warn against
> is the uncertaintly of how concentrated or pure the Mucuna p. in capsule form
> actually is.  Thus, one is never quite sure how much one is really ingesting.
> I've read a lot positive about this bean, in terms of PD control, and if I
> were the patient, I know that I'd give it a reasonable try.  Laureen is simply
> tired of experimenting on herself.  For what it's worth....  Scott
> 
> ===== 
> >Original Message From Parkinson's Information Exchange Network
> >[log in to unmask]>

> >Diane sent me this - I didn't write it nor do I know anything about it, Ray
> >
> >"Dopa Bean" - better than a chocolate binge..[Dec. 26th, 2006|04:15 pm]
> >
> >[Tags|magic beans...]
> >[mood| calm]
> >
> >This looks like a spam, but its not. I've discovered a nutritional
> >supplement that works on dopamine, and it works really well. I just thought
> >I'd share. The effect of taking a capsule or two is similar to the effect
> >you get from eating a bunch of chocolate, except without the caffiene.
> >
> >It's "Velvet Bean" a.k.a. Mucuna pruriens. So far I've seen two
> >"standardized" brands of it, one is called "DopaBean" by Solar Ray, and the
> >other is called "Mucuna" by Physicians Formulas. Both were approved by a
> >Parkinson's website as raising dopamine levels.
> >
> >Basically, it contains natural precursors to dopamine and norepinephrine
> >that your body makes anyway. The levels of these compounds in people drops
> >under stress and as people age. It's a rain forest plant. (Picture:
> >http://www.rain-tree.com/Plant-Images/velvetbean-pic.htm )
> >
> >The touted benefits (some of which I verified with a "yes") are as follows:
> >
> >* relieves pain (yes, somewhat. better than asprin.)
> >* increases testosterone ( How would I know? )
> >* increases libido (still evaluating)
> >* reduces inflammation (possibly - still evaluating)
> >* reduces spasms (yes, has helpd my back)
> >* calms nerves (yes, definitely. Verified by third parties - reduces
> >irritability)
> >* reduces fever (haven't had one)
> >* lowers blood pressure (not yet - mine was normal last Friday when I gave
> >blood)
> >* lowers cholesterol (haven't been tested)
> >* increases urination (not yet)
> >* assists with smoking cessation (I don't smoke)
> >
> >----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
> >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn
> 
> Scott E. Antes
> Department of Anthropology
> Northern Arizona University
> Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5200

----------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask]
In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn