Sweet pea leaves is a flowering plant. It has a unique appearance and appealing fragrance. It is commonly found in Italy. This plant is native to Sicily, Cyprus, Southern Italy. The sweet pea is a plant with medicinal properties. It is used in traditional medicine as a home remedy for many different conditions. Many people are familiar with the benefits of a sweet pea but on the other hand, many people do not know about this plant. The scientific name of sweet pea is Lathyrus odaratus.
Also, sweet pea leaves can be found in the Aegean Islands. There are some varieties of sweet peas and each variety has its own signature color from the shades of pink, blue up to purple. There are some studies in which are said that sweet pea is toxic. The seeds of a sweet pea should be dried under the sun to reduce the levels of toxicity. The risk of toxicity can increase when it is consumed by mothers during pregnancy or breastfeeding so you should talk with your doctor if you should add sweet pea in your diet.
It can cause side effects in your body and in your baby so you should not risk by adding sweet pea leaves in your diet. Also, the consumption of sweet pea leaves in high dosages can lead to kidney problems because the urinary oxalate is very high which is increasing the risk of kidney problems. The direct exposure of the flour of sweet pea leaves can increase the risk of asthma symptoms.
Here are some health benefits of sweet pea leaves:
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Rich in antioxidant properties:
We know that antioxidants are very important for our health. They can help in the fight against free radicals and preventing oxidative stress in the cells. The best way to prevent some type of cancer is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. Sweet pea leaves are having toxic effects but also they have antioxidants so you should consult with your doctor before you start using them as your natural treatment against cancer. [1]
Source of plant-based protein:
There are many different plants that are an excellent source of plant-based protein. We know that animal protein is good for our health. But you should know that the animal-based protein is also a source of cholesterol. In the plant-based protein, the cholesterol level is relatively low. This is a reason why the sweet pea plant is used as a famine food.
Potent antifungal properties:
There are some studies in which are said that the sweet pea leaves may have potent antifungal properties. You can use this plant to fight externally against fungi. Also, you can use it to fight against skin problems which are caused by fungi but you should be careful if you are allergic to sweet pea. You should talk with your doctor about the possibility of being allergic to this plant. [2]
Used as famine food:
In some countries, especially the poor regions of India, the sweet pea leaves are consumed as a famine food, especially during the drought season when the food source becomes limited. The reason why the sweet pea leaves are used as famine food is due to their rich protein content.
The protein content is eligible to fight against hunger problems and malnutrition, especially in children. Also, the seeds and flowers of sweet pea are edible and not just the leaves of this plant. [3]
Natural fragrances:
In traditional medicine, the sweet pea flowering plant was used as an ornamental plant in the gardens or in a vase. It has a beautiful appearance but also has natural fragrances. The flowers of a sweet pea can be used as an aromatic herb and also it has many health benefits which are amazing for people. You can use the fresh flowers and leaves as a natural air freshener because it has a strong and sweet smell combined. [4,5]
Also, the dried flowers and leaves can be used because they offer a more spicy and herbal fragrance to the room. Also, there are some perfumes that are using the extract of sweet pea flowers and leaves as their main signature of aroma. Also, in the cosmetic products are used sweet pea plants. The toxic effect of this plant is less when it is used externally.
References:
[1] Rungruangmaitree R, Jiraungkoorskul W. Pea, Pisum sativum, and its anticancer activity. Pharmacognosy Review. 2017;11(21):39–42.
[2] Arabi Z, Sardari S. An investigation into the antifungal property of fabaceae using bioinformatics tools. Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology – AJMB. 2010;2(2):93–100.
[3] Heart UK. Cholesterol lowering foods. Retrieved from www.heartuk.org.uk/healthy-living/cholesterol-lowering-foods
[4] Sexton R, Stopford AP, Moodie WT, Porter AEA. Aroma production from cut sweet pea flowers (Lathyrus odoratus): The role of ethylene. Physiologia Plantarum. 2005;124(3):381-9.
[5] Nakamura K, Sugita T, Tanaka H, Akashi R. Genetic relationship among sweetpea cultivars and related species by AFLP analysis. Journal of the Japanese Society for Horticultural Science. 2010;79(4):360-6.
