Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial plants collectively known as amaranths. Some amaranth species are cultivated as leaf vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental plants. Most of the Amaranthus species are summer annual weeds and are commonly referred to as pigweeds.^[rx] Catkin-like cymes of densely packed flowers grow in summer or autumn. Amaranth varies in flower, leaf, and stem color with a range of striking pigments from the spectrum of maroon to crimson and can grow longitudinally from 1 to 2.5 meters (3 to 8 feet) tall with a cylindrical, succulent, fibrous stem that is hollow with grooves and bracteoles when mature.^[rx] There are approximately 75 species in the genus, 10 of which are dioecious and native to North America with the remaining 65 monoecious species endemic to every continent (except Antarctica) from tropical lowlands to the Himalayas.^[rx] Members of this genus share many characteristics and uses with members of the closely related genus Celosia. Amaranth grain is collected from the genus. The leaves of some species are also eaten.^[rx]

OTHER NAME(S):

Alegría, Amarante, Amarante-Grain, Amarante-Grain Géante, Amaranthus blitum, Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus; synonym Amaranthus paniculatus, Amaranthus dubius, Amaranthus frumentaceus, Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus leucocarpus, Amaranthus roxburghianus, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus tricolor, Amaranto, Chua, Huantli, Huatlí, Khaddar-Chaulai, Lady Bleeding, Love-Lies-Bleeding, Lovely Bleeding, Pilewort, Prickly Amaranth, Prince’s Feather, Rajgira, Ramdana, Red Cockscomb, Red Spinach, Rhamdana, Royal Grain, Smooth Amaranth, Tandulja, Velvet Flower

Amaranth, the scientific name Amaranthus, is a member of the Amaranthaceae family which is related to and resembles Quinoa. Native to Central America and South America, it is also cultivated in countries having warm climates. Amaranth possesses various vernacular names such as Hindi: Lal sag, Thotakura Chaulai; Marathi: Shavrani math, Rajgira; Tamil: Punkirai; Telegu: Chilaka thotakoora etc. It is also known as Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus frumentaceous, Amaranto, Chua, Amaranthus leucocarpus, Red Cockscomb, Velvet Flower.

Amaranth Facts

Amaranths are broad-leaved plants that have rhombic or egg-shaped leaves which are smooth and covered in tiny hairs. The leaves possess prominent veins either green or red with long petioles. The plants yield red to purple flowers. Amaranth is grown as an annual plant. Amaranth is also considered as Chinese spinach.

Plant and Seeds

Amaranth is an annual, large and bushy plant usually about 90-130 cm high. It has oblong-lanceolate pointed green leaves normally arranged alternately in 2-4 inches long. The stems are erect branched. The plant yields flowers at summer or autumn (August and October) which are pink or white in color. The seeds are yellow, white, red, brown, pink, or black in a spherical or flattened lenticular shape. It prefers a warm climate and thrives in well-drained soils. As the plant is annual, it has got a lifespan of one year.

How to Eat

The younger greens and small varieties are consumed as a salad and older greens are used as a substitute for spinach. Amaranth is added as an ingredient in pasta, bread, instant drinks, baby food, etc. It could be added to soups or stews and also taken as a cereal for breakfast. Popped Amaranth is added to bread, tofu, or meat. Amaranth flour could be mixed with wheat flour to make bread or other foods. The seed could be cooked or roasted like germ vegetables.

Health Benefits of Amaranth

Amaranth is rich in antioxidants, proteins, vitamins, and minerals which make it a healthy food by preventing chronic diseases enhancing the immune system stimulating repair and growth, lowering inflammation and blood pressure, lessening varicose veins, and promoting the strength of bones and others. It could be consumed either as a leaf vegetable, grain flour, or cereal grain.

1. High protein

Amaranth possesses a huge amount of protein which the body breaks the plant protein into usable amino acids and can be reformed into usable proteins. Protein is vital for the development and growth of new tissues and cells, energy, and functions of metabolism. Even the leaves also possess beneficial proteins in it. (1)

2. Antioxidant properties

The research shows that the peptide in Amaranth helps to lower inflammation and prevents the free radicals damage of mutating the healthy cells to cancerous cells. The anti-inflammatory activities eliminate the health conditions such as gout, arthritis, and inflammation. (2)

3. Develop bones

The leaves of Amaranth possess various minerals such as calcium. Amaranth enhances the strength of bones and also prevents osteoporosis. Calcium is essential to prevent bone demineralization. (3)

4. Facilitates digestion

Amaranth is high in fiber content which assists in digestion and promotes minerals uptake. It is gluten-free which provides an alternative grain source for the gluten intolerance or Celiac disease patients. (4)

5. Heart health

The dietary fiber assists to balance the cholesterol by reducing the bad cholesterol from the cardiovascular system. Amaranth possesses a high amount of Vitamin K which enhances heart health. The potassium reduces blood pressure by lessening the strain on the cardiovascular system and dilating the blood vessels. It also reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. The high concentration of phytosterols also assists in the reduction of bad cholesterol. (5)

6. Reduce varicose veins

Amaranth possesses the flavonoids such as rutin which eradicates the varicose veins by enhancing the capillary walls. It is also rich in Vitamin C which is essential for collagen production, strengthens and repairs the walls of blood vessels. (6)

7. Eye health

An adequate amount of Vitamin A and carotenoids in the leaves of Amaranth helps to enhance eye health. These antioxidants eliminate the chances of macular degeneration and cataracts. It lowers the oxidative stress in the ocular system that leads to healthy and strong vision. (7)

8. Prevent birth defects

Folate is vital for pregnant mothers because the deficiency in folate leads to neural tube defects in newborns. One should add Amaranth grains or leaves to the diet because it provides adequate folate. (8)

9. Helps to lose weight

The leaves and grains of Amaranth assist in losing weight by releasing the sated hormone from the appetite. The dietary fiber makes to feel for a long time which eliminates the snack between the meals. (9)

10. Maintains hair health

Amaranth possesses lysine which is a rare amino acid that cannot be produced by the body. It raises the efficiency of calcium uptake and strengthens follicles which help to prevent baldness. The application of leaves juice after shampoo prevents hair loss by strengthening hair.

Traditional uses

This herb is used by practitioners to obstruct bleeding. Amaranth is used as an astringent and as a treatment for diarrhea, mouth ulcers, and excessive menstrual flow. Gargling with this herb assists to alleviate pharynx tenderness and assist the mouth ulcer treatment. This herb is used externally helps to cure vaginal discharges, nose bleeding, and other abrasions. Amaranth greens are used to enhance eyesight.

Precautions 

Raw Amaranth possesses some toxic or undesirable components so; Amaranth should be consumed by cooking. Children are intolerant to lysinuric protein which may cause stomach pain and diarrhea. Lysine increases the absorption of calcium in the body which leads to the damage-causing amount of calcium in the body. So one should avoid huge intake of calcium and lysine at the same time. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid Amaranth in order to be on the safe side.

References

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