Sweet pea is one of the flowering plant with unique appearance and appealing fragrance commonly found in Italy because this plant is native to Southern Italy. Not only that, sweet pea flowering plant is also one of the plant with medicinal properties used as traditional herbs to treat several health conditions. Some people may be familiar with the benefits of flowers for health and happiness but fewer people know about the health benefits of sweet pea leaves.
Before discussing about the health benefits of sweet pea leaves is important for you to find out the information about what sweet pea is. Sweet pea is a flowering plant with scientific name Lathyrus odoratus which is native to Sicily, Cyprus, Southern Italy. This beautiful flowering plant is also able to be found in Aegean Islands. There are some varieties of sweet pea flowering, each variety has its own signature colour from the shades of pink, blue up to purple. To learn more about the health benefits of sweet pea leaves, you could see the list below for detail information.
There are a lot of plants which are excellent source of plant-based protein. Animal protein is good for human health but you should know that animal-based product is also source of cholesterol while cholesterol level is relatively low in plant-based product. This is also the reason why sweet pea plant is consumed as famine food.
There are a lot of health benefits of antioxidants for human health due to its amazing ability in fighting free radicals and preventing oxidative stress in cells. The best way of how to prevent cancers is by consuming foods high in antioxidants. Aside from the toxicity effect, sweet pea leaves are packed with potent antioxidants.
Some early studies about the health benefits of sweet pea leaves stated that this flowering plant may contain potent antifungal properties. However, if you want to use it externally to fight fungi but with one condition, you could use it to fight skin problems caused by fungus but only for those who are not allergic to sweet pea. Due to its high toxicity effect, allergic reaction may occur with symptoms similar to the signs of wheat allergy like rashes and swollen skin are possible to occur. That is why you have to ensure yourself first that you have no allergic problem against sweet pea plant.
Traditionally, people are using sweet pea flowering plant as ornamental plant to be planted in their garden or a vase, aside from that not only because of its beautiful appearance but also because of its natural fragrances. This flower is among aromatic herbs list and health benefits are amazing for human. The fresh flowers and leaves could be used as natural air refresher with strong and sweet smell combined. However, there are also some people who prefer to use the dried flowers and leaves, which offer more spicy and herbal fragrance to the room. Some perfume products are also using the extract of sweet pea flowers and leaves as their main signature of aroma.
There are some factors why sweet pea plants are commonly used as cosmetic ingredients, first is the natural fragrance which is really appealing though it is still depending on the varieties and second is the natural colour of the flower. Those two factors are perfect mixture of why this flowering plant is becoming one of the main cosmetic ingredients. The toxicity effect of this flower is fewer when it is used externally but the risk becomes higher when it is consumed internally. That is why this flowering plant is quite safe when used as cosmetic ingredients.
In some countries, in the poor regions of India, sweet pea leaves were consumed as famine food especially during drought season when some food sources become limited. The reason why sweet pea leaves were used as famine food is due to its rich protein content which is eligible to fight hunger problem and mal nutrients especially in children. Not only the leaves both the flowers and the seeds are also edible.
Studies about sweet pea flowering plant are still limited to claims made by the locals. In India, this flowering plant which is rich of protein is used as famine food to treat children who are suffering from hunger, especially during drought season.
Unfortunately, the scientific research about sweet pea leaves are still limited because scientists realize the risks offered from consuming this flowering plant is higher than the health benefits of sweet pea leaves obtained. Though in some countries like India where hunger problem becomes annual issue, sweet pea leaves could be the solution that could save their lives. Though, normally the flowers are used as natural fragrance and commonly used as part of cosmetic ingredients, still it is only for external use. If you are about to add it as part of daily supplement, consulting it with your doctor first is highly recommended.