Medieval weight loss Herb coming back

This might be useful to a lot of us who have trouble getting to and sustaining a healthier weight. Sooner or later some pharmaceutical company will extract the active ingredient to make it easier to find and take as pills or whatever form works best.

“A traditional herb used by King Charles II to help his mistresses lose weight could be used in the modern day battle against obesity. Heath pea, which is also known as bitter vetch, was used in medieval times as a hunger suppressant when the crops failed. It was also passed around the court of King Charles, who gave it to his lovers who had a propensity for plumpness. Monks used the plant to treat patients in the 14th century Soutra Aisle monastery near Edinburgh, which is currently being excavated. The tubers have a “leathery liquorice” taste with the effect of making people forget to eat. “If you ate one of these pea sized tubers you are meant to ‘not eat, not want to eat and not miss eating for weeks and even in to months’. “They were actually used as a measure to ward off hunger once crops had failed in the fields. Richard Swift, head of the project, said: “The tubers could help boxers and other athletes train down to a weight as well as helping dieters exercise and lose weight. “There could be a good long term market for the tubers.” Heath Pea (Lathyrus linifolius) is normally found in poor grazing and heath land. It sometimes grows alone, but it can also grow in clumps on banks and verges of roads and tracks. The plants take two or three years to mature but require very little looking after.” - Source