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Amaranth or amaranth upturned - medicinal properties and applications. Application and medicinal properties

Meanwhile, it has a huge list of useful properties that our ancestors always knew about and successfully used them.

The chemical composition of the plant

In their composition, the leaves and amaranth are truly unique. First of all, it should be noted that the amount of vegetable protein and fiber in them is greater than in wheat and other cereals.

Amaranth leaves are rich in amino acids, including lysine, tannins, and carotene. The ground parts of the plant contain vitamins A, C, D, E, as well as rutin, which is able to replenish vitamin P. Of the valuable minerals, this plant contains magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and iron.

Did you know?In Sweden in the 17th century there was the Order of Amaranth, the presence of which distinguished the nobility from ordinary people.

Useful properties of amaranth upturned

Although not included in the list of medicinal herbs, people have known about its benefits for a long time.

In folk medicine, its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative properties are often used. A weed called amaranth found its place in the manufacture of cosmetics and in the preparation of various dishes.

Decoctions and infusions

As decoctions and infusions, amaranth helps to strengthen the body, increase potency, and get rid of worms.

The cardiovascular, genitourinary and circulatory systems respond well to their use. Infusions from the stems of amaranth have a positive effect on the liver, kidneys, and stomach. Amaranth tea helps to normalize blood glucose levels and is useful for diabetes.

Infusions are prepared both on alcohol and on water - their beneficial properties do not change from this.

Oil

Amaranth oil is rich in vitamin E and a carbohydrate compound called squalene. Vitamin E helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and remove excess cholesterol. Due to its high content, the oil is used in food for the prevention of thrombosis.

Did you know? The Indians used amaranth seeds during rituals, and therefore in Europe it was long considered the “devil's plant” and was forbidden to grow.

Squalene promotes the release of oxygen from body fluids, which is so necessary for all organs and tissues, and it is also involved in the synthesis of vitamin D and hormones, which is very important for the endocrine and immune systems.

Without vitamin A contained in large quantities in amaranth oil, it is difficult to maintain normal health of the eyes, skin, and teeth. Also, this tool helps to cope with insomnia, depression, get rid of headaches.
It is recommended to add this product to your diet for people suffering from osteochondrosis, arthritis, arthrosis, muscle cramps. In general, the oil has a rejuvenating and strengthening effect on the human body.

Where is amaranth used

Treatment

There are many recipes for the treatment of various diseases. Here are some of them:

For medicinal purposes, the oil should be taken inside only in its pure form or added to various dishes. Usually it is prescribed according to the scheme: 1 dessert spoon 30 minutes before meals for a month. The course is repeated every 5-6 months.

For those who do not tolerate the aftertaste, it can be advised to rinse your mouth with acidified lemon juice or apple cider vinegar water.

To lower cholesterol, you need to take 2 teaspoons with meals.
Joint diseases and skin diseases are treated with rubbing or compresses, which are applied for 20-30 minutes twice a day. For recovery in the postoperative period, as well as for anemia, you can prepare an aqueous infusion from the leaves of the plant: take 3-4 tbsp. l. dry leaves, pour them with 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 4 hours. Take three times a day half an hour before meals. Single dosage - 0.5 cups.

Important! Amaranth has a very pleasant smell, which is liked not only by people, but also by rodents. Therefore, in the house it must be stored in closed containers so that the smell does not spread.

Prevention

For those who care about the state of the body and believe that it is better to take preventive measures than to be treated, amaranth is just a godsend.

For the purpose of prevention, to strengthen immunity and as an additional source of vitamins, amaranth oil is taken twice a year, as a rule, in spring and autumn, 1 teaspoon 20 minutes before meals in the morning and evening.
You can also season it and add to cereals. For one course you can use no more than 200 ml.

To rejuvenate the body and keep it in good shape, you can drink tea from dried amaranth leaves - 1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water, infused for 15 minutes.

Cosmetology

Amaranth has found its use in cosmetology in the form of oil, which many manufacturers introduce into the composition of hand and face creams, shampoos, masks and hair balms.

To nourish the skin of the hands, the easiest way is to simply rub them well with oil, put on natural mittens and sit for an hour or two. You can add some of this product to your usual hand cream.

Dry skin will be given additional nutrition by a simple mask: mix 1 egg yolk with a teaspoon of natural liquid and pour in 2 teaspoons of amaranth oil. This mask should be held on the face for 15 minutes and washed off with warm water. Its use once a week will make the skin supple and toned, relieve dryness and tightness.

Instead of a purchased hair conditioner, an infusion of amaranth leaves will be useful: 4 tbsp. l. dry raw materials or 8 fresh leaves put in a liter thermos and pour boiling water. Leave for 24 hours, strain and dilute with water 1:1, rinse hair 2 times a week.

How to prepare medicinal raw materials

The easiest way to prepare amaranth leaves for the winter is to dry them. They do this in two ways:

The plucked leaves are washed, allowed to dry, cut and laid out on paper in a single layer in a well-ventilated room or outdoors in special dryers that are closed with glass. You need to dry in the shade, periodically checking and mixing the raw materials. When it will be rubbed with your fingers into powder - then it's ready.
Another way is to form bundles and hang them in the attic (or balcony).

Stems and leaves can also be frozen - just washed and dried bundles are packaged in bags and put in a chamber.

The leaves of amaranth are also good for making green soups, for this they are salted. You can put them in a jar separately, or together with,

The herb amaranth, the beneficial properties of which will be discussed in this article, has the ability to reduce inflammation, prevent a number of chronic diseases, improve the condition of the skeletal system, and lower blood pressure. This plant is used to improve immunity, with varicose veins, and using amaranth herb cereals, you can part with a few extra pounds.

It is not uncommon when, at the mention of the name of the herb amaranth, some people associate with some unknown, but definitely existing gemstone.

But biologists only look at their interlocutor in surprise, knowing that amaranth is nothing more than a plant.

True, from the point of view of a medicinal plant, it was forgotten for a long time. And only today, doctors and nutritionists not only remember the ancient plant culture, but also strongly recommend it for inclusion in the daily diet.

Grass amaranth description

Amaranth is a predominantly annual herbaceous plant belonging to the amaranth family. Amaranth is also known as shiritsa, smooth gauze.

This is a plant with a tall, thick stem that can reach a height of 1 meter or more with alternate oblong-lanceolate pointed leaves with purple-red spots. The plant blooms, starting in August, with small flowers, which are collected in a spicate paniculate inflorescence. Flowering can continue almost until frost. Seeds are small shiny black.

In total, about 100 plant species from this family are known, growing in warm and moderately warm regions. Most types of amaranth are considered weeds.

Some types of amaranth, on the contrary, belong to a valuable food crop and are grown as a vegetable plant. Many ornamental plants with this name have been bred, which become a real decoration of the garden in the fall. Dried amaranth flowers can bring joy and pleasant memories of summer and winter. Not without reason, translated from Greek, amaranth means "unfading flower."

Among the people, amaranth is also called cockscomb, or fox's tail, velvet.

South America is considered the birthplace of amaranth, from where it was brought to North America and spread further. Now in the wild, this plant can be found in India and China.

In Europe, amaranth was first grown as an ornamental plant. But soon, starting from the 18th century, it became a fodder crop. It is also grown for cereals.

Useful properties of amaranth

Although amaranth is considered a weed and for the most part was first used for livestock feed, people soon noticed its beneficial properties for the human body and began to use it for their health.

Each particle of bread is the owner of a particularly rich biological and chemical composition. Therefore, biologists note in the composition of both the plant itself and the products from it such components:

fats (7 g);
proteins (14 g), including globulins and albumins;
carbohydrates (58 g);
dietary fiber (fiber);
the tocotrienol form of the well-known fat-soluble vitamin E;
fatty acids: stearic, palmitic, linoleic (accounts for 77% of the total amount of oil substances), oleic, arachidonic;
amino acid lysine;
rare substance squalene;
phospholipids;
flavonoids in the form of rutin, quercetin and trefolin;
vitamins of group B (from B1 to B9);
ascorbic acid;
niacin;
retinol (or vitamin A);
pectins;
a huge content of such micro- and macroelements, represented by potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, fluorine, iron, zinc, selenium, copper.

Due to the high energy value and rich vitamin and mineral composition, folk healers, and today doctors of official medicine, actively use the amaranth plant in their practice. His whole secret lies in the fact that thanks to him:

Treatment of inflammation of the genitourinary system;
You can reduce the manifestations of children's nocturnal enuresis;
There is a restoration of the body with a breakdown, anemia and beriberi;
Pain and manifestations of hemorrhoids are reduced;
Atherosclerosis is effectively prevented;
There is a decrease in body weight and, as a result, obesity is treated;
Serves as a preventive measure for the development of diabetes;
The symptoms of neurosis are removed;
Burns, skin lesions and dental diseases (for example, stomatitis and periodontal disease) are treated externally;
Ulcers of the gastrointestinal system heal;
There is saturation of tissues and organs with oxygen;
The development of cancerous tumor conditions is prevented;
The immune system is stimulated to resist viruses;
There is a purification of the blood from harmful infections;
Toxins and substances of heavy metals are removed;
A person receives a fungicidal, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic natural remedy without making any effort and without spending a lot of money;
Improves and maintains visual acuity;
There is an activation of regenerative functions;
Accelerates recovery after a protracted illness and especially radiation therapy;
The intestinal microflora is restored;
The correct development of the child is established (juice or oil is added to complementary foods) with dystrophy, chronic colitis, psycho-emotional disorders;
Men for a long time will not remember prostate diseases;
During pregnancy, the effects of toxicosis will decrease.

A substance called squalene deserves great attention. This hydrocarbon of the triterpene series belongs to the group of carotenoids. Its main feature is to help oxygenate the cells of our body with oxygen. Taking a direct part in the metabolism, it affects the level of cholesterol. In addition, it reduces the effects of radioactive exposure and has antimicrobial properties.

Squalene is often used in cosmetics. Its pronounced anti-aging properties are widely used in the manufacture of anti-aging cosmetics.

In medical practice, all parts of the plant are used: seeds, leaves, flowers and stems.

The main medicinal properties of amaranth are:

Tonic;

Hemostatic;

Fortifying.

Amaranth grass can be used to treat diseases:

stomach and intestines;

Psoriasis;

Dermatitis;

endometriosis;

Urogenital system;

Diabetes.

It is also used for fungal infections.

Amaranth leaves are used to treat diarrhea and stop bleeding. They are also used to treat eczema.

Recognize the beneficial and healing properties of amaranth and dermatologists. This herb is good for oily skin, blackheads, acne scars.

A decoction of amaranth leaves can cope with bleeding gums. You can squeeze fresh juice from the plant and mix 1 part of the juice with 1 part of water.

The same mixture with juice in a ratio of 1 part juice to 5 parts water is useful for severe sore throats as a gargle.

For balding people, amaranth is an excellent home remedy for hair loss. Its healing properties will help slow down this process.

A tea made from a tablespoon of crushed amaranth leaves will help soothe stomach pains. They also take decoctions of amaranth for diseases such as gastroenteritis, hemorrhoidal inflammation, influenza, and colitis.

A handful of dried leaves steeped in a liter of water is a good douche for vaginal itching and inflammation.

The roots of the plant are an excellent remedy for jaundice and guinea worm.

Juice and tincture of the plant is used as an antitumor agent inside and out.

Seeds and roots are used as an astringent for dysentery, externally for eczema, childhood diathesis, rashes. In this case, take baths with a decoction of the plant.

Amaranth oil also has healing properties, which is used in the treatment of burns, scars, bedsores, and insect bites.

Amaranth use in folk medicine

The use of amaranth in folk medicine as a medicine has been around for several centuries. From it prepare infusions and decoctions, alcohol or vodka tincture, make oil.

Decoction of amaranth roots

To prepare a decoction, take 15 grams of crushed dry raw materials and brew 200 ml of boiling water. Put in a water bath and boil for half an hour. Cool 10 minutes and strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals.

Amaranth leaf infusion

To prepare the infusion, take 20 grams of dried leaves of the plant and brew 200 ml of boiling water. Put in a water bath and boil for 15 minutes. Cool 45 minutes and strain. Take an infusion of 1/3 cup 2-3 times a day.

Infusion of fresh amaranth leaves

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of crushed fresh grass leaves and, wrapping, leave for half an hour. Strain and take with honey 1/4 cup 3-4 times a day for stomach pain.

Bath decoction

Brew 300-400 grams of chopped dry grass with 2 liters of boiling water and boil for another 15 minutes over low heat. Insist and pour into the bath. Baths are taken 2-3 times a week for skin diseases for 25-30 minutes.

Amaranth tincture

Dry leaves and flowers of amaranth pour vodka and leave for 2 weeks in a dark place. Strain and take 1 teaspoon diluted with 50 ml of water before meals for diseases of the genitourinary system.

Amaranth for the stomach

For gastritis, diabetes, pain in the liver, it is recommended to take amaranth juice mixed with cream or homemade sour cream. Prepare the remedy in this way.

Squeeze juice from fresh leaves by passing them through a meat grinder and then squeezing the juice. You can squeeze juice in a juicer. Mix the resulting juice with cream in equal proportions.

Take this remedy 3 times 1 tablespoon a day after meals.

Treatment of enuresis with amaranth

Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed amaranth inflorescences with seeds with a glass of boiling water and boil in a water bath for 15-20 minutes.

Remove and leave to cool completely. Then strain and take 1 teaspoon with 50 ml of water. Take 3 times half an hour before meals and at bedtime. The course of treatment lasts 2 weeks.

For diseases of the genitourinary system

3 tablespoons of chopped amaranth grass (leaves, inflorescences, stems), brew 1 liter of boiling water and insist. Take 1 glass before bed.

Rejuvenating blend with amaranth

This rejuvenating blend removes toxins and other harmful substances from the body. To prepare the mixture, you need to take 1 part of amaranth herb, St. John's wort, birch buds and chamomile.

Take 2 tablespoons of chopped collection and brew 500 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 2-3 hours and strain.

Take 1 glass in the morning on an empty stomach and at night, adding a teaspoon of honey to the infusion. Before taking, warm the infusion. Re-admission of the anti-aging mixture should be done after two, three years.

When bleeding

Pour 2 teaspoons of ground amaranth seeds with a small amount of water and boil for several minutes. Cool and strain.

Dilute this decoction with 750 ml of water and pour into Esmarch's mug. Do such enemas for internal bleeding, inflammation of the rectum and colon.

With oily skin, with acne, it is useful to wash with amaranth decoction.

Collection, drying and storage of amaranth

Harvesting of inflorescences is carried out during flowering. Cut panicles of the plant are tied into bunches and hung in the attic or other well-ventilated place protected from the sun's rays. Spread a cloth under the plant suspended for drying, as the seeds will crumble during drying.

The leaves and stem of amaranth are harvested immediately after flowering.

In addition to this standard drying method, there are other ways to harvest grass.

The collected fresh grass is cut and laid out in a thin layer on a table in a well-ventilated area. Periodically, the grass must be mixed for uniform drying.

Whether the raw material is ready or not is simply checked - by rubbing it in the palms: if the amaranth is poured, then the product is ready for use.

Freezing. This method is only suitable for the leafy part, which will retain its color. Cut leaves are laid out on a cutting board or tray, plate and frozen. Frozen leaves are placed in an airtight container and stored in the freezer.

In addition to drying the plant, it can be marinated in glass jars. To do this, grind the washed, dried and chopped plant with sugar and salt, put it in a jar and fill it with water. The product will retain all useful properties.

For those who are especially lazy, you can choose the so-called dry method, when crushed amaranth is placed in a glass container and only covered with salt.

Store prepared amaranth in a dark place.

Contraindications to the use of amaranth herb

The Chinese consider amaranth the herb of immortality. Despite all the useful and medicinal properties, there are some contraindications when you can not use this herb.

Firstly, there may be individual intolerance to this plant, which can manifest itself as an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes.

It is forbidden to take drugs with amaranth when:

pancreatitis;

cholecystitis;

Stones in the gallbladder and bladder.

True, the latter refers more to the use of amaranth oil.

Before using, be sure to consult a doctor. This is especially true for the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

On the beneficial and medicinal properties of grass and amaranth seeds

Currently, traditional medicine has a sufficient number of ways to cure various diseases and general strengthening of the human body. One of the most effective ways of healing in central Russia, the Far East and the Caucasus is the use of amaranth, an annual plant growing in grass and reaching a length of 100 cm in height. That is why we will now talk about how useful amaranth herb is, its medicinal properties, application, contraindications when using it. Let's start with the description and composition, which help to distinguish it from other representatives of the flora and explain the healing properties.

plant description

Amaranth spiky most often grows in open spaces in vegetable gardens and fields and has large oblong ovate leaves and small flowers of yellowish and grayish-green color, which eventually turn red and gather into balls and large broom-shaped inflorescences.

Such a plant has black small seeds and blooms for six months, - the whole summer and autumn. Many herbalists recommend collecting amaranth seeds and leaves in July and August. Amaranth is popularly called shiritsa.

Composition of amaranth

Its leaves contain 185 mg of vitamin C, starch, phosphorus and calcium salts, carotene, compounds containing nitrogen and 0.96% betaine, and fatty oil.

Amaranth seeds have a varied content, namely protein 20%, water - 8.7%, fiber - 10%, fatty oil - 7.5%, starch - 40%, sugar - 1.9%, ash - 4.4 %, and there is also a small amount of tannin in it.

Medical raw materials

All components of amaranth spiky are widely used by healers, namely stems, flowers, leaves and seeds.

Description of the healing properties of amaranth

The healing functions of amaranth include a general strengthening and tonic effect, as well as an increase in the resistance of the human body to various infections and viruses. It is known that amaranth lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood, frees the body from radionuclides, removes malignant tumors, heals wounds and cracks.

It should be noted that amaranth oil enhances the regeneration of tissues of both external and internal organs, and also harmonizes metabolism. The healing effect on the human body is expressed by an increase in immunity and a decrease in the number of myocardial infarctions and various heart diseases in patients.

The use of amaranth

Medicines from amaranth have an extended range of positive effects on the human body, namely, they eliminate pain in the stomach in the form of an infusion from one tablespoon of the leaves of the plant, filled with 100 ml of boiling water and infused for half an hour. This remedy is recommended to be used four times a day.

Patients suffering from a diseased liver, diabetes mellitus and gastritis should consume fresh amaranth leaves in the form of green smoothies mixed with homemade sour cream one tablespoon before meals 3 times a day.

In case of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat, freshly squeezed leaf juice is recommended in proportions of 1: 5, diluted with water in order to rinse the inside of the mouth.

A decoction of amaranth seeds has a beneficial effect on all kinds of inflammation of the rectum and colon, as well as internal bleeding in the form of an enema with a volume of 750 ml, in which you can dilute 2 teaspoons of crushed plant seeds, boiled over low heat for several minutes and infused for half an hour.

Regarding diseases associated with skin rashes, namely acne, psoriasis and eczema, it is recommended to wash with a decoction of seeds several times a day.

Inflammation of the urinary and reproductive systems also needs to be treated with an infusion of dry leaves and flowers of amaranth, soaked in vodka and infused for 2 weeks. This tincture is recommended to use one teaspoon diluted in the fourth part of a glass of water a few tens of minutes before meals.

It is important to note that menopausal problems in men and women are treated with amaranth oil, which is prepared as follows. Overripe seeds are recommended to grind and mix with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1:3. Heated to a temperature of 60 degrees, the mass is poured into a thermal mug and infused all night. This solution must be filtered and squeezed. It is recommended to repeat this extraction up to 5 times. The finished product is taken orally two teaspoons a couple of times a day before meals. One course of treatment needs 250 ml. oils.

Contraindications in the use of amaranth oil

The healing properties of amaranth are incomparably valuable for the human body, and can also pose a slight danger to patients with individual intolerance to tinctures and ointments. People suffering from pancreatitis, cholecystitis, amaranth oil is not recommended.

It is important to emphasize that gallstones and bladder stones also affect the dosage in the application of amaranth products, which causes slight nausea and slight dizziness. This is due to the saturation of the human body with a large amount of oxygen. The fatty acids contained in amaranth oil are recommended for people with normal cardiovascular function.

Marshmallow - Althaea officinalis L. Amaranth family - Amaranthaceae

Botanical characteristic

An annual herbaceous plant up to 1 m tall. It grows everywhere, like a weed in crops, gardens, orchards, in wastelands, along roads.

The root is spreading, penetrates far into the depths. Stem erect, branched, pubescent. The leaves are alternate, ovate-rhombic, elongated at the base into a petiole, with a notch at the apex. The fruit is lenticular black. Blooms from June to September. Fruits until late autumn.

Several species grow. More common than others are:

Shiritsa upturned- A. retroflorum - a pinkish-green plant, flower-bearing branches are collected in a compact panicle;
shiritsa tailed- A. cordatus - with purple hanging panicles.

All types of amaranth are medicinal, but the caudate amaranth has the most healing properties.

plant parts used

All parts of the plant serve as medicinal raw materials. Raw materials are harvested during the entire growing season of the plant: leaves - before flowering; flower panicles - during flowering; seeds - as they ripen; roots in autumn.

Amaranth as a valuable food crop attracts attention all over the world. In the US, the amaranth institute and research centers are studying this culture and introducing it into the food industry. This is due to the fact that the plant contains a large amount of biologically active substances, mainly in the seeds from which amaranth oil is obtained.

Chemical composition

All parts of the plant contain nitrogen-containing compounds, betacyanidins: amaranthine, betanin, organic acids, vitamins, dyes, trace elements.

In addition, amaranth seeds contain a wide range of amino acids, including essential ones, as well as protein with a high protein content (up to 18%). The protein of amaranth seeds is equated to the protein of human milk. In terms of nutritional value, amaranth protein is significantly superior to cow's milk protein and is almost 1.5 times superior to soy protein.

Amaranth seed oil contains a wide range of unsaturated acids and organic acids. The main component of seeds is squalene (more than 8%). Squalene is a component of human skin and is directly involved in the oxygen metabolism of tissues and organs, protects the body from radiation, and ensures the body's resistance to various diseases.

Application and medicinal properties

In the experiment, water extracts of the aerial part of amaranth have bactericidal, protistocidal and diuretic effects. Fatty oil has anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and antifungal effects. A decoction of the roots is effective in the treatment of jaundice and guinea worm. Fresh juice and infusion exhibit antitumor activity.

In folk medicine, amaranth in the form of infusions and decoctions is used in the treatment of tumors of various etiologies and localization inside and out; for the treatment of fungal diseases, as a hemostatic agent for various bleeding, liver and heart disease, gastrointestinal infections; externally - with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, erosion, endometriosis, colpitis.

A decoction of the roots and seeds is used for dysentery; in the form of baths - for various skin diseases, allergies, diathesis, rashes, often with string and chamomile.

Fresh juice in a dilution of 1:5 is used to rinse the mouth, with inflammation of the mucous membranes. The juice of a flowering plant is an effective, rejuvenating, cosmetic product that strengthens the hair roots and promotes their growth.

The oil is used for burns, bedsores, insect bites, scars.

Young leaves are eaten; seeds - as a seasoning for dishes.

Cooking

For decoction take 15 g of roots or aerial parts, grind, pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist on a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, filter. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals.
For getting infusion take 20 g of leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist on a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, filter. Take 2-3 times a day, 1/3 cup before meals.
For baths take 300-400 g of raw materials, pour 2 liters of boiling water, boil in a saucepan for 15 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, filter and add to 1/2 bath 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes.