Does an ordinary person know about such a plant as amaranth, medicinal properties, recipes for dishes from it? Of course not. In most cases, this herb is deprived of attention. But in vain! Indeed, amaranth has recently become very popular throughout the world. First of all, thanks to its unique abilities, it prevents the development of cancer and more. It turns out that amaranth is useful for problems with the heart, liver, female genital organs and the common cold. Interesting? Read it!
Amaranth plant: a brief description
Another name for the above plant is shiritsa. The word "amaranth" is translated from Latin as "unfading." This plant received this name thanks to a long flowering cycle - more than two months.
Amaranth has the following features:
- perennial or annual plant;
- the maximum height of the bushes is up to two meters;
- has red flowers ;
- inflorescence is large, spike-shaped;
- fruits - a rounded capsule, inside of which about 2000 seeds.
Today, more than 15 species of this plant are known, which grows mainly in the Caucasus.
Amaranth is a medicinal plant that is unpretentious and does not require special conditions for growth and care. It does not give in to frost and tolerates drought well. This plant is highly fertile: up to 10 crops can be harvested per year.
Brief historical background about the plant
For more than 8 thousand years, amaranth has been cultivated. A photo of this plant always looks very impressive. Therefore, amaranth was used as a decorative decoration. Studying the culture of the Mayan tribe and the Aztecs, experts came to the conclusion: it turns out that these peoples used this plant also in the process of cooking.
The above plant was first brought into Russia at the end of the 15th century. At first it was considered a weed and was not used in cooking.
The spread of this cereal culture was facilitated by scientists from the botanical gardens of Voronezh and Kazan State Universities. These specialists carefully studied this plant, held conferences and seminars on the use of amaranth in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
The chemical composition of amaranth
This cereal plant has a very useful composition. It contains:
- serotonin;
- xanthines;
- bile acids;
- steroids;
- squalene;
- choline;
- B vitamins;
- pantothenic acid;
- Vitamin Tocopherol Acetate and D.
In alternative medicine, a whole plant such as amaranth is used entirely. Any part of it has healing properties: leaves, seeds, and stem.
For example, plant seeds are also characterized by a rather healing composition:
- squalene antioxidant;
- 16% protein;
- unsaturated fats (about 6%);
- vitamins E, rutin, D, group B;
- trace elements phosphorus, calcium, magnesium;
- pectin;
- gluten.
Amaranth: application
This plant is used in many fields. Interestingly, back in the days of the Aztec tribe it was used for cooking and as a fuel. Nowadays, amaranth is intensively used in such areas as:
- Cooking - from it prepare the first and second courses, as well as drinks. In addition, bakery products are enriched with amaranth seeds, and they are also added to baby food.
- Perfumes - oils of this plant are used for the production of perfumes.
- As an element of decor, amaranth is often planted in suburban areas, since this plant looks quite interesting.
- As animal feed. Experts say that if amaranth is introduced into the feed, the animals will grow twice as fast.
It should be noted that this plant is widely used in pharmaceuticals for the production of therapeutic agents. Alternative medicine also does not forget amaranth: healers recommend recipes for various tinctures and lotions from the above herbs for the treatment of many diseases.
Amaranth: healing properties, photo
This plant has the following beneficial properties:
- due to the high content of squalene, amaranth is a powerful tool against malignant tumors;
- promotes rapid recovery of the body after chemotherapy;
- strengthens the immune system;
- eliminates hormonal imbalance;
- cleanses the body of toxins, toxins and other diseases.
In addition, scientists argue that such a new substance as amaranthine contains amaranth grass. Its healing properties are that it helps to accelerate the work of the human body.
The above plant is also characterized by antioxidant properties.
But these are not all the advantages that amaranth has healing. Plant seeds contain very valuable oil. This product is not cheap and extremely useful. Amaranth oil is a powerful immunostimulating, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent.
Thanks to the above product, amaranth is extremely healing. The healing properties of the oil of this plant are as follows:
- normalization of the functioning of the human reproductive system;
- cell regeneration and anti-aging effect;
- improving the condition of the skin, increasing its elasticity and firmness;
- active weight loss with symptoms of obesity;
- prevention of cancer, heart disease and its system;
- strengthening immunity.
Hemostatic ability is another unique property of a plant such as amaranth. Also, thanks to vitamin P (rutin), it strengthens the walls of the capillaries, makes blood vessels less penetrating, and cleanses them of cholesterol.
Indications for use of the plant
Experts recommend using amaranth for symptoms of the following diseases:
- oncology;
- atherosclerosis;
- adenoma;
- hemorrhoids;
- vitamin deficiency (especially a lack of vitamin P);
- obesity;
- hypertension;
- radiation injuries;
- skin diseases (eczema, diathesis, rash, allergy);
- colds, flu;
- problems with the heart and its system;
- disorders of the nervous system;
- hormonal imbalance;
- hepatitis;
- female diseases (erosion, ovarian cysts, colpitis, inflammation of the appendages, endometriosis).
Traditional medicine and amaranth
Healers for the treatment of multiple diseases actively use infusions, lotions and baths based on the above plants. For this, in most cases, dry amaranth is used. The medicinal properties (recipes of folk remedies from the plant open them well, in contrast to the drugs of official medicine) contribute to a positive result in the first week of such therapy.
Amaranth infusion is prepared as follows: 15 g of a mixture of dry raw materials (stem, inflorescence, roots, seeds of a plant) is poured with a glass of boiling water, and then kept on a light fire or water bath for about 15 minutes. Since the taste of this medicine is somewhat astringent and sweet, traditional medicine experts advise adding lemon juice or a spoonful of honey to this infusion. This medicine is recommended by healers to use 50 ml daily for a crescent. After taking such a medicine, eating is allowed after 15-20 minutes.
An amaranth bath for the treatment of skin diseases is prepared as follows: approximately 350 g of a dry plant is steamed with two liters of boiling water. Allow to infuse, and then pour this product into the bath, adding a little water. This procedure should be carried out for 20 minutes a day.
A remedy based on amaranth for gastritis and pain in the liver is prepared as follows: the juice of a fresh plant is mixed with cream in a ratio of 1: 1. After eating, take a tablespoon of this medicine, but no more than three times a day.
Pain in the stomach relieves perfectly infusion of fresh leaves of the plant. To do this, you need to pour a tablespoon of amaranth in a cup of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes. A quarter cup of this infusion is mixed with a dessert spoon of honey and taken 3 times a day.
Amaranth: medicinal properties, recipes of dishes in which they appear
Alternative medicine for good health and the prevention of cardiovascular and oncological diseases recommends eating food enriched with the above plant. The Japanese, for example, must include this herb in their diet and compare its nutritional value with squids (greens) and milk (grains).
Chinese medicine actively uses anti-aging amaranth. The healing properties (recipes of dishes help to maximize their manifestation) are well disclosed when using not just plant-based preparations, but precisely when it is used in cooking.
For example, you can make porridge from amaranth. It is prepared from the seeds of a plant, a glass of which is boiled in three glasses of water for about 45 minutes, while thoroughly mixing them. Fruits or nuts can be added to the finished porridge if desired.
It should be noted that amaranth seeds crushed into flour are often used for baking bread. They perfectly enrich this product, give it a special taste.
How to prepare amaranth?
This plant is harvested only at the end of summer. Indeed, only then does the flowering period of amaranth end completely, and it ripens. But there are varieties that need to be harvested in the winter.
This process takes place manually at home and with the help of a combine if the plant is harvested on an industrial scale.
Amaranth stalks and flowers can be stewed, fermented or frozen.
It should be noted that the plant does not lose its properties in the freezer and can be stored for more than one year.
Contraindications to the use of plants
Alternative medicine does not recommend using amaranth for people with the following diseases:
- severe form of digestive system diseases;
- urolithiasis disease;
- individual intolerance to this substance.
In addition, it is allowed to give children amaranth. A plant whose medicinal properties for this category of patients show themselves very well, manufacturers add to baby food.
Patients suffering from pancreatitis and cholecystitis, before using amaranth, need to get advice from an experienced specialist about this.
Amaranth is a unique plant that copes with especially severe ailments, especially with cancer. But before embarking on a treatment with shiritsa, you must definitely discuss this issue with your doctor.