Cowage seed (Mucuna pruriens), also known as velvet bean, has been used in various traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda and traditional African medicine, for a range of ailments. Its use to support or treat cholera is grounded primarily in traditional practice rather than modern scientific validation. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys indicate that cowage seeds were sometimes utilized in traditional remedies for gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea and dysentery, which are symptoms also seen in cholera. The seeds were believed to have purgative and anti-parasitic properties, which may have prompted their use in these contexts.

However, there is a lack of robust clinical or preclinical research specifically evaluating the efficacy of cowage seed in treating cholera. Modern pharmacological investigations have focused on other properties of Mucuna pruriens, such as its potential neuroprotective effects due to its high L-DOPA content, and its use in managing Parkinson’s disease and male infertility. There is no substantial evidence from controlled studies to support its use for cholera, and its inclusion in traditional cholera remedies likely stems from empirical use rather than proven efficacy. Therefore, while cowage seed has some historical precedent for use in gastrointestinal ailments, it should not be considered a validated or recommended treatment for cholera based on current scientific understanding.