Herb & supplement monograph

Lathyrus Drug Interactions, Uses, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated July 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Lathyrus interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Lathyrus is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Lathyrus is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

Check Lathyrus against your medication

Add one medication
Lathyrus
+
Start typing any prescription or over-the-counter drug name.
Reviewed by licensed pharmacists Sourced from Natural Medicines
On this page
Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Lathyrus

0 medications have a known interaction with Lathyrus, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Lathyrus. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Lathyrus combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Lathyrus: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Lathyrus most often refers to the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), a hardy legume eaten as food in parts of Asia and Africa. While it is nutritious, heavy or prolonged consumption is linked to a serious neurological disorder called lathyrism, so it is not recommended as a dietary supplement. There is no good evidence supporting Lathyrus for any specific health condition.

Scientific name
Lathyrus sativus
Family
Fabaceae
Part used
Seeds (grass pea / chickling pea); occasionally other plant parts
Common forms
Dried seeds, flour, cooked legume dishes; not commonly sold as a standardized supplement
People commonly use it for
  • Food and famine crop in some regions
  • Source of dietary protein
  • Traditional folk remedies
  • Animal fodder

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Heavy or prolonged intake of grass pea is linked to a serious nerve disorder called lathyrism.

PregnancyLikely Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingLikely Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Lathyrus is a genus of legume plants in the pea family. The most well-known species used by people is Lathyrus sativus, often called grass pea, chickling pea, or khesari. It is a tough, drought-resistant plant that grows even in poor soil and harsh conditions.

Because it can survive when other crops fail, grass pea has long been an important food and famine crop in parts of South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. People eat the seeds whole, ground into flour, or cooked in stews, and the plant is also used as fodder for animals.

Although grass pea is a food rather than a typical herbal supplement, it sometimes appears in discussions of traditional remedies. It is important to understand both its nutritional value and its known safety risks.

Uses & effectiveness

Grass pea is mainly valued as an inexpensive, protein-rich food, especially in areas where food is scarce. It is not a proven treatment for any medical condition.

The scientific evidence for using Lathyrus as a health supplement is very limited. Most of what is known comes from studies of its nutrition and, importantly, from research into the harm caused by eating too much of it. We are not aware of strong human clinical trials showing it treats or prevents any disease.

In short, while grass pea is a useful food crop, there is not enough reliable evidence to recommend it as a supplement for any specific health benefit.

How it works

Grass pea seeds provide protein, carbohydrates, and some vitamins and minerals, which is why they work as a food source.

The plant also contains a compound called β-ODAP (beta-N-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine), sometimes written as BOAA. This is a natural toxin that can damage nerve cells. Based mostly on laboratory and population research, scientists believe β-ODAP can overstimulate certain nerve signals, which may explain the nerve damage seen with heavy, long-term consumption.

Because of this toxin, the way Lathyrus "works" in the body is mostly a story about potential harm rather than benefit. Soaking, boiling, and discarding the cooking water can lower the toxin level in the seeds.

Safety & precautions

The main safety concern with grass pea is a disease called lathyrism (more specifically neurolathyrism). It can develop when people eat large amounts of grass pea over weeks to months, often during famines when little else is available. Lathyrism can cause permanent weakness, stiffness, and paralysis of the legs.

People who are malnourished, as well as children and young adults, may be at higher risk. Eating grass pea as a small part of a varied, balanced diet is far less risky than relying on it as a main food source.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is not enough safety information, and the known nerve toxin makes use unwise. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid grass pea as a supplement or major part of the diet.

If you are considering using any Lathyrus product, talk with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially if you have a medical condition or take other medicines.

Side effects

Eaten in small amounts as an occasional food, grass pea is generally tolerated by most people. Like other legumes, it may cause gas, bloating, or stomach upset in some people.

The most serious risk is neurolathyrism from heavy, prolonged intake. Early warning signs can include leg weakness, muscle cramps, and stiffness. Nerve damage from lathyrism can become permanent, so any new leg weakness in someone eating a lot of grass pea should be taken seriously and checked by a doctor.

Lathyrus: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Lathyrus from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Orally, consuming a diet high in lathyrus can cause neurotoxic manifestations including muscular rigidity, spasticity, weakness, paralysis, weak pulse, shallow breathing, convulsions, or death. Consumption of lathyrus can also result in problems with collagen crosslinking. This results in weak blood vessels, known as angiolathyrism, or skeletal deformities, known as osteolathyrism.

When inhaled, lathyrus flour or pollen has caused allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in case reports.

  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Spencer, P. S. Food toxins, ampa receptors, and motor neuron diseases. Drug Metab Rev 1999;31(3):561-587.
  3. Drory, V. E., Rabey, M. J., and Cohn, D. F. Electrophysiologic features in patients with chronic neurolathyrism. Acta Neurol.Scand 1992;85(6):401-403.
  4. Krogsgaard-Larsen, P. and Hansen, J. J. Naturally-occurring excitatory amino acids as neurotoxins and leads in drug design. Toxicol Lett 1992;64-65 Spec No:409-416.
  5. Pratap Rudra, M. P., Singh, M. R., Junaid, M. A., Jyothi, P., and Rao, S. L. Metabolism of dietary ODAP in humans may be responsible for the low incidence of neurolathyrism. Clin Biochem 2004;37(4):318-322.
  6. Yan, Z. Y., Spencer, P. S., Li, Z. X., Liang, Y. M., Wang, Y. F., Wang, C. Y., and Li, F. M. Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and its neurotoxin ODAP. Phytochemistry 2006;67(2):107-121.
  7. Spencer, P. S., Roy, D. N., Ludolph, A., Hugon, J., Dwivedi, M. P., and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: evidence for role of the neuroexcitatory aminoacid BOAA. Lancet 11-8-1986;2(8515):1066-1067.
  8. Ludolph, A. C., Hugon, J., Dwivedi, M. P., Schaumburg, H. H., and Spencer, P. S. Studies on the aetiology and pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases. 1. Lathyrism: clinical findings in established cases. Brain 1987;110 ( Pt 1):149-165.
  9. Striefler, M., Cohn, D. F., Hirano, A., and Schujman, E. The central nervous system in a case of neurolathyrism. Neurology 1977;27(12):1176-1178.
  10. Spencer, P. S. and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: a neurotoxic disease. Neurobehav.Toxicol Teratol. 1983;5(6):625-629.
  11. Lambein, F., Haque, R., Khan, J. K., Kebede, N., and Kuo, Y. H. From soil to brain: zinc deficiency increases the neurotoxicity of Lathyrus sativus and may affect the susceptibility for the motorneurone disease neurolathyrism. Toxicon 1994;32(4):461-466.
  12. Hugon, J., Ludolph, A. C., Spencer, P. S., Gimenez, Roldan S., and Dumas, J. L. Studies of the etiology and pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases. III. Magnetic cortical stimulation in patients with lathyrism. Acta Neurol.Scand 1993;88(6):412-416.
  13. Misra, U. K., Sharma, V. P., and Singh, V. P. Clinical aspects of neurolathyrism in Unnao, India. Paraplegia 1993;31(4):249-254.
  14. Haque, A., Hossain, M., Lambein, F., and Bell, E. A. Evidence of osteolathyrism among patients suffering from neurolathyrism in Bangladesh. Nat Toxins. 1997;5(1):43-46.
  15. Cohn, D. F. and Streifler, M. Intoxication by the chickling pea (Lathyrus sativus): nervous system and skeletal findings. Arch.Toxicol.Suppl 1983;6:190-193.
  16. Weintroub, S., Cohen, D. F., Salama, R., Streifler, M., and Weissman, S. L. Skeletal findings in human neutrolethyrism. Is there a human osteolathyrism? Eur Neurol. 1980;19(2):121-127.
  17. Porcel, S., Leon, F., Valero, A. M., Calderin, P. M., Cuevas, M., and Cuesta, E. A. Occupational rhinitis and asthma by Lathyrus sativus flour: characterization of allergens. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 2001;107(4):743-744.
  18. Anton, Girones M., de la Hoz, Caballer B., Munoz, Martin T., Cuevas, Agustin M., and Sanchez-Cano, M. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma by exposure to Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergol.Immunopathol.(Madr.) 2005;33(6):326-328.
  19. Valdivieso, R., Quirce, S., and Sainz, T. Bronchial asthma caused by Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergy 1988;43(7):536-539.
  20. Lieberman, P. Preventing fatalities from anaphylaxis: an allergist-immunologist's perspective. Allergy Proc 1995;16(3):109-111.
Reports by condition
Asthma Immunologic

When inhaled, lathyrus flour or pollen has caused allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma in case reports.

  1. Porcel, S., Leon, F., Valero, A. M., Calderin, P. M., Cuevas, M., and Cuesta, E. A. Occupational rhinitis and asthma by Lathyrus sativus flour: characterization of allergens. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 2001;107(4):743-744.
  2. Anton, Girones M., de la Hoz, Caballer B., Munoz, Martin T., Cuevas, Agustin M., and Sanchez-Cano, M. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma by exposure to Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergol.Immunopathol.(Madr.) 2005;33(6):326-328.
  3. Valdivieso, R., Quirce, S., and Sainz, T. Bronchial asthma caused by Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergy 1988;43(7):536-539.
  4. Lieberman, P. Preventing fatalities from anaphylaxis: an allergist-immunologist's perspective. Allergy Proc 1995;16(3):109-111.
Pain Musculoskeletal

Orally, lathyrus consumption is associated with the disease lathyrism. Collagen crosslinking deficiency is part of this disorder. This can result in bone pain and skeletal deformities, a condition known as osteolathyrism. In two patients, osteolathyrism resulted in a fusion failure of the vertebral and iliac epiphyses. Other findings related to osteolathyrism include an absence of ossification centers of the iliac crests, ischial tuberosities, and vertebrae, and a bowing with thickening of the femoral shaft.

  1. Cohn, D. F. and Streifler, M. Intoxication by the chickling pea (Lathyrus sativus): nervous system and skeletal findings. Arch.Toxicol.Suppl 1983;6:190-193.
  2. Weintroub, S., Cohen, D. F., Salama, R., Streifler, M., and Weissman, S. L. Skeletal findings in human neutrolethyrism. Is there a human osteolathyrism? Eur Neurol. 1980;19(2):121-127.
  3. Haque, A., Hossain, M., Lambein, F., and Bell, E. A. Evidence of osteolathyrism among patients suffering from neurolathyrism in Bangladesh. Nat Toxins. 1997;5(1):43-46.
Spasticity Neurologic/CNS

Orally, lathyrus consumption is associated with the disease lathyrism. Neurological symptoms are known as neurolathyrism. Symptoms of neurolathyrism include muscular rigidity, spasticity, weakness, paralysis of leg muscles, weak pulse, shallow breathing, convulsions, or death. Prolonged neurotoxicity is characterized by poor central motor coordination and reduced nerve conduction in the lower limbs. Other symptoms include increased micturition and neurogenic bladder. In parts of Ethiopia, the prevalence of neurolathyrism was found to be between 1/10,000 to 7.5/1,000, although the prevalence has been as high as 2.9% of the population after an epidemic in 1976-1977.

  1. Spencer, P. S. Food toxins, ampa receptors, and motor neuron diseases. Drug Metab Rev 1999;31(3):561-587.
  2. Krogsgaard-Larsen, P. and Hansen, J. J. Naturally-occurring excitatory amino acids as neurotoxins and leads in drug design. Toxicol Lett 1992;64-65 Spec No:409-416.
  3. Pratap Rudra, M. P., Singh, M. R., Junaid, M. A., Jyothi, P., and Rao, S. L. Metabolism of dietary ODAP in humans may be responsible for the low incidence of neurolathyrism. Clin Biochem 2004;37(4):318-322.
  4. Yan, Z. Y., Spencer, P. S., Li, Z. X., Liang, Y. M., Wang, Y. F., Wang, C. Y., and Li, F. M. Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and its neurotoxin ODAP. Phytochemistry 2006;67(2):107-121.
  5. Spencer, P. S., Roy, D. N., Ludolph, A., Hugon, J., Dwivedi, M. P., and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: evidence for role of the neuroexcitatory aminoacid BOAA. Lancet 11-8-1986;2(8515):1066-1067.
  6. Spencer, P. S. and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: a neurotoxic disease. Neurobehav.Toxicol Teratol. 1983;5(6):625-629.
  7. Lambein, F., Haque, R., Khan, J. K., Kebede, N., and Kuo, Y. H. From soil to brain: zinc deficiency increases the neurotoxicity of Lathyrus sativus and may affect the susceptibility for the motorneurone disease neurolathyrism. Toxicon 1994;32(4):461-466.
  8. Hugon, J., Ludolph, A. C., Spencer, P. S., Gimenez, Roldan S., and Dumas, J. L. Studies of the etiology and pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases. III. Magnetic cortical stimulation in patients with lathyrism. Acta Neurol.Scand 1993;88(6):412-416.
  9. Haque, A., Hossain, M., Lambein, F., and Bell, E. A. Evidence of osteolathyrism among patients suffering from neurolathyrism in Bangladesh. Nat Toxins. 1997;5(1):43-46.
  10. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  11. Drory, V. E., Rabey, M. J., and Cohn, D. F. Electrophysiologic features in patients with chronic neurolathyrism. Acta Neurol.Scand 1992;85(6):401-403.
  12. Ludolph, A. C., Hugon, J., Dwivedi, M. P., Schaumburg, H. H., and Spencer, P. S. Studies on the aetiology and pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases. 1. Lathyrism: clinical findings in established cases. Brain 1987;110 ( Pt 1):149-165.
  13. Striefler, M., Cohn, D. F., Hirano, A., and Schujman, E. The central nervous system in a case of neurolathyrism. Neurology 1977;27(12):1176-1178.
  14. Misra, U. K., Sharma, V. P., and Singh, V. P. Clinical aspects of neurolathyrism in Unnao, India. Paraplegia 1993;31(4):249-254.
  15. Haimanot, R. T., Kidane, Y., Wuhib, E., Kalissa, A., Alemu, T., Zein, Z. A., and Spencer, P. S. Lathyrism in rural northwestern Ethiopia: a highly prevalent neurotoxic disorder. Int J Epidemiol. 1990;19(3):664-672.
  16. Haimanot, R. T., Kidane, Y., Wuhib, E., Kassina, A., Endeshaw, Y., Alemu, T., and Spencer, P. S. The epidemiology of lathyrism in north and central Ethiopia. Ethiop.Med J 1993;31(1):15-24.
Substance use disorder Cardiovascular

Orally, lathyrus consumption is associated with the disease lathyrism. Collagen crosslinking deficiency is part of this disorder. This can result in weak blood vessels, a condition known as angiolathyrism.

  1. Spencer, P. S. and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: a neurotoxic disease. Neurobehav.Toxicol Teratol. 1983;5(6):625-629.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no established or standardized supplement dose for Lathyrus, and it is not recommended as a supplement. Because of the toxin it contains, larger and more frequent intake increases the risk of harm.

If grass pea is part of your traditional diet, it is safest to eat it in moderation as one of many foods, and to prepare it by soaking and boiling. Do not rely on it as a main protein source. Always check with a pharmacist or doctor before using any Lathyrus product for health purposes.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Lathyrus & Pregnancy

Likely Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

Lathyrus & Breastfeeding

Likely Unsafe

When used orally; avoid using.

  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 22 references that drive our Lathyrus monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Spencer, P. S. Food toxins, ampa receptors, and motor neuron diseases. Drug Metab Rev 1999;31(3):561-587. PubMed
  3. Porcel, S., Leon, F., Valero, A. M., Calderin, P. M., Cuevas, M., and Cuesta, E. A. Occupational rhinitis and asthma by Lathyrus sativus flour: characterization of allergens. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 2001;107(4):743-744. PubMed
  4. Drory, V. E., Rabey, M. J., and Cohn, D. F. Electrophysiologic features in patients with chronic neurolathyrism. Acta Neurol.Scand 1992;85(6):401-403. PubMed
  5. Krogsgaard-Larsen, P. and Hansen, J. J. Naturally-occurring excitatory amino acids as neurotoxins and leads in drug design. Toxicol Lett 1992;64-65 Spec No:409-416. PubMed
  6. Pratap Rudra, M. P., Singh, M. R., Junaid, M. A., Jyothi, P., and Rao, S. L. Metabolism of dietary ODAP in humans may be responsible for the low incidence of neurolathyrism. Clin Biochem 2004;37(4):318-322. PubMed
  7. Yan, Z. Y., Spencer, P. S., Li, Z. X., Liang, Y. M., Wang, Y. F., Wang, C. Y., and Li, F. M. Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and its neurotoxin ODAP. Phytochemistry 2006;67(2):107-121. PubMed
  8. Anton, Girones M., de la Hoz, Caballer B., Munoz, Martin T., Cuevas, Agustin M., and Sanchez-Cano, M. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma by exposure to Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergol.Immunopathol.(Madr.) 2005;33(6):326-328.
  9. Haimanot, R. T., Kidane, Y., Wuhib, E., Kalissa, A., Alemu, T., Zein, Z. A., and Spencer, P. S. Lathyrism in rural northwestern Ethiopia: a highly prevalent neurotoxic disorder. Int J Epidemiol. 1990;19(3):664-672. PubMed
  10. Spencer, P. S., Roy, D. N., Ludolph, A., Hugon, J., Dwivedi, M. P., and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: evidence for role of the neuroexcitatory aminoacid BOAA. Lancet 11-8-1986;2(8515):1066-1067. PubMed
  11. Valdivieso, R., Quirce, S., and Sainz, T. Bronchial asthma caused by Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergy 1988;43(7):536-539.
  12. Ludolph, A. C., Hugon, J., Dwivedi, M. P., Schaumburg, H. H., and Spencer, P. S. Studies on the aetiology and pathogenesis of motor neuron diseases. 1. Lathyrism: clinical findings in established cases. Brain 1987;110 ( Pt 1):149-165. PubMed
  13. Striefler, M., Cohn, D. F., Hirano, A., and Schujman, E. The central nervous system in a case of neurolathyrism. Neurology 1977;27(12):1176-1178.
  14. Spencer, P. S. and Schaumburg, H. H. Lathyrism: a neurotoxic disease. Neurobehav.Toxicol Teratol. 1983;5(6):625-629.
  15. Cohn, D. F. and Streifler, M. Intoxication by the chickling pea (Lathyrus sativus): nervous system and skeletal findings. Arch.Toxicol.Suppl 1983;6:190-193. PubMed
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Lathyrus: Common Questions

Does Lathyrus interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Lathyrus. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Lathyrus interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Lathyrus with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Lathyrus interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Lathyrus used for?
Lathyrus, usually meaning the grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), is mainly used as a food and animal fodder crop, especially in regions where it grows when other crops fail. It is not a proven treatment for any health condition.
Is Lathyrus safe to eat?
Eaten occasionally as a small part of a varied diet, grass pea is generally tolerated. However, eating large amounts over a long time can cause lathyrism, a serious and sometimes permanent nerve disorder, so it should not be a main food source.
What is lathyrism?
Lathyrism is a disease caused by eating too much grass pea over weeks or months. It can lead to leg weakness, stiffness, and paralysis that may not fully recover, due to a natural toxin in the seeds.
Can I take Lathyrus during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. There is not enough safety information, and the known nerve toxin makes it unwise. Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid grass pea as a supplement or major part of the diet.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next
Supplement interaction checkerCheck any supplement or product against your medications Drug–drug interactionsCheck two or more of your medications against each other Browse medications A–ZEvery drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements NDC & pricing lookupFind a drug’s NDCs, packaging and costs Ask a pharmacistFree, personal answer from our licensed team

Have a question about Lathyrus?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist