Vetchling

Related Terms

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.

Background

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.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):
There is no proven safe or effective dose for lathyrus in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

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.

Attribution

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).

Bibliography

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Getahun H, Lambein F, Vanhoorne M, et al. Food-aid cereals to reduce neurolathyrism related to grass-pea preparations during famine. Lancet 11-29-2003;362(9398):1808-1810.
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Melka A, Tekle-Haimanot R, Lambien F. Symptomatic treatment of neurolathyrism with tolperisone HCL (Mydocalm): a randomized double blind and placebo controlled drug trial. Ethiop Med J 1997;35(2):77-91.
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Pratap Rudra MP, Singh MR, Junaid MA, et al. Metabolism of dietary ODAP in humans may be responsible for the low incidence of neurolathyrism. Clin Biochem 2004;37(4):318-322.
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Warren BA, Patel SA, Nunn PB, et al. The Lathyrus excitotoxin beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid is a substrate of the L-cystine/L-glutamate exchanger system xc-. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 10-15-2004;200(2):83-92.
Yan ZY, Spencer PS, Li ZX, et al. Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and its neurotoxin ODAP. Phytochemistry 2006;67(2):107-121.