• Chick pea, chickling pea, chickling vetch, grass pea, grass-pea, green grass pea, khesari, kollo (Amharic), Lathyrus lectins, Lathyrus ochrus, Lathyrus odoratus, Lathyrus odoratus L., Lathyrus sativa, Lathyrus sativus, Lathyrus sativus L., Lathyrus sativus Linn., Lathyrus sativus flour extract, Lathyrus silvestris L., Lathyrus tingitanus lectin, legume, Fabaceae (family), lectin lath-O, nifiro (Amharic), shiro (Amharic), sweet pea, vetchling.

• Lathyrus is a genus in the pea family and contains species such as Lathyrus savitus (grass pea) and Lathyrus odorata (sweet pea). Grass pea is used as a famine food, especially in India, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, because the plants are extremely hardy and the seeds are high in protein. However, chronic consumption of large quantities of the seeds can cause neurolathyrism, osteolathyrism, or angiolathyrism. Lathyrism is thought to be one of the oldest neurotoxic diseases and was well-described in India 2,000 years ago and again in France in 1829. It used to be prevalent throughout Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia. Today, lathyrism is found primarily in India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, primarily during famine crises or droughts.
• There is currently insufficient evidence available in humans to support the use of Lathyrus spp. for any medical indication.

• Food uses.

Adults (18 years and older):

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for lathyrus in adults.

Children (younger than 18 years):

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for lathyrus in children.

Allergies

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to Lathyrus spp., their constituents, or members of the Fabaceae family. Lathyrus odoratus has caused occupational asthma. Exposure to Lathyrus sativus flour has caused rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma, including rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching, tears, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Lathyrus is likely safe when the seeds or leaves are eaten in moderate food amounts for short periods.
• Lathyrus is likely unsafe when the seeds or leaves are chronically eaten in high amounts, especially in patients exhibiting beginning symptoms of neurolathyrism (neurological condition characterized by severe muscular rigidity and paralysis of the lower limbs) or osteolathyrism (a collagen crosslinking deficiency characterized by bone pain and skeletal deformities).
• Use cautiously in patients with coagulation disorders as Lathyrus spp. may decrease coagulation time.
• Use cautiously in patients with osteoporosis, those with abnormal calcium levels or those prone to kidney stones. Avoid high doses in growing patients, due to the possibility of skeletal deformations.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Lathyrus is not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding due to possible toxic effects.

Interactions with Drugs

• Lathyrus may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).
• Ingestion of Lathyrus sativus leaves or seeds may cause a disease called osteolathyrism, which includes bone pain and skeletal deformities, such as fusion failure in both vertebral and iliac epiphyses. In some humans taking lathyrus, urinary oxalate is very high. Caution is advised in patients taking osteoporosis agents.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Lathyrus may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.
• Ingestion of Lathyrus sativus leaves or seeds may cause a disease called osteolathyrism, which includes bone pain and skeletal deformities, such as fusion failure in both vertebral and iliac epiphyses. In some humans taking lathyrus, urinary oxalate is very high. Caution is advised in patients taking osteoporosis herbs or supplements, including calcium.
• Adequate zinc intake may reduce the risk of toxicity due to chronically high doses of Lathyrus sativus seeds.

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

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