Mouse pea is a perennial plant, it has a strongly developed rhizome, the central root can penetrate the ground to a depth of 2 m, and the entire main root system is located at a depth of 15 centimeters. Mouse peas have thin stems that are attached to nearby objects or plants with the help of antennae, they can reach a length of up to 2.5 meters. The mouse pea has fruits in the form of beans, which reach up to 3 cm in length and up to 0.5 cm in thickness. Seeds of a dark color have a spherical shape.
Perennial peas are most widespread in Asia, Europe and North Africa, and it was also brought to North America, where it acclimatized well. The main habitats are meadows and glades, also found on the edges and among shrubs, in the mountains it can grow at heights of up to 3000 meters above sea level.
If the soil is rich, then the mouse pea develops very well and can even dominate the rest of the plants, and, conversely, on poor soils it develops poorly and is often inhibited by neighboring plants. This plant tolerates excess and lack of moisture well, and can also easily withstand flooding for a long period, up to two months.
Mouse hyacinth can reproduce both seed and vegetative ways. Flowering begins only in the 4th-5th year of life, and with industrial cultivation it can occur in the 2nd-3rd year. Flowering occurs from May, lasts until the end of summer. Pollination is carried out by insects. Reproduction by seeds is not very productive, since a small amount of them is tied, about 5-15%, therefore, mainly propagation occurs by the vegetative path, in which a very developed rhizome plays the main role.
Mouse pea is a good fodder plant, almost all herbivores eat it well . It also has high nutritional qualities, as it contains about 30% protein, as well as a high content of vitamin C. After mowing, it grows together quickly and easily. Also, this plant is an excellent honey plant.
The chemical composition of this plant is not fully understood to date and it is practically not used in scientific medicine. But some observations show that poultices made with the use of this plant are good at resolving and softening benign tumors. They also help in the treatment of swollen lymph nodes. Poultice from mouse pea grass are effective in treating inflamed hemorrhoidal nodes and prolapse of the rectum. Infusions and decoctions of herbs are used during the treatment of viral hepatitis, and is also used in ascites as a diuretic.
To treat viral hepatitis, take 1 teaspoon of dried roots of mouse peas and pour it with a glass of water, after which the mixture is brought to a boil, which is carried out for 5 minutes. Infusion takes about 2 hours and is taken in a quarter cup three times a day.
In the treatment of various edema and ascites, take 2 tablespoons of grass and pour water in the amount of one glass, after which they boil for 5-6 minutes. Take the decoction from one to three times during the day.
When treating cough or bleeding, 3 tablespoons of dried mouse peas are poured with two glasses of water, after which they insist for about 2 hours. Take the resulting liquid three times a day for half a cup. Also, this infusion is used as an external agent that helps in healing wounds.
Contraindications for the use of mouse peas are any violations of salt metabolism, as well as dehydration, which may occur due to diarrhea or dysentery. Also, preparations containing this plant are contraindicated in obesity and atherosclerosis.