Amaranth

The amaranth is a herbaceous plant from family amarantovy which has small flowers and kolosovidny inflorescences. Now there are more than 60 species of this plant.

The amaranth received positive reviews as the useful and vitaminized plant.

Broad use has an amaranth in medicine, cosmetology and cookery.

Biological features and distribution

Some types of an amaranth are ancient grain crops which grew up in East Asia. In modern time in the Southern Asia the amaranth is used as vegetable. It has the hanging-down inflorescences and the painted leaves.

The amaranth in Europe has branchy stalks, rhomboid leaves with an acute top, and also flowers which form bunches with tops – whisks. Usually color of a plant green, and in certain cases - red.

For the first time the amaranth is grown up in South America, and then delivered to India, China and North America. Some species of a plant removed in the artificial way grow in the countries of East Asia.

To Europe the plant was delivered in the 18th century by Spaniards and was used as fodder culture, but then became only a weed on fields with cereals. In Russia this plant appeared from the middle of the 19th century and at first was considered as weeds, and then began to be used in the decorative purposes. Applied an amaranth to creation of a "live" fence and department of economic constructions, and also to flower compositions.

Now the amaranth is grown up as an annual plant which begins to be sowed in the form of seedling since the beginning of April, and land in soil in the middle of May.

Useful properties of an amaranth

The advantage of an amaranth, thanks to its valuable structure, vitamin-rich and active agents is high. Leaves of a plant contain useful substances which are effective for prevention of osteoporosis, elimination of deficit of calcium in an organism, regulations of exchange processes and decrease in probability of developing of cardiovascular diseases.

Useful properties of an amaranth influence activity of removal from an organism of harmful substances, including radionuclides. As a part of an amaranth phytalbumins which are effective at treatment of eczema, small tortoiseshell and dermahemia.

The amarantovy oil made of a plant contains a set of microelements and useful substances which are effective prophylactic against formation of malignant tumors.

The amaranth received positive reviews for the content of squalene which oxygenates an organism, is antineoplastic means and an immunostimulator. Squalene is necessary for a human body for reduction in the rate of oxidizing processes in cells which cause aging of an organism.

The international medical researches showed that constant consumption of an amaranth positively influences functioning of a liver, promotes regeneration and performs functions of kroveostanavlivayushchy cure for hemorrhoids and internal bleedings.

Broad use has an amaranth in the form of tincture which is used as an antispasmodic at colitis, gastritises and locks.

Useful properties of an amaranth are shown at treatment of infectious diseases, dermatitis, endometriosis and fungal infections.

At an allergy and diathesis broth of roots and seeds of an amaranth well helps, and at burns and scars plant oil is effective.

Use and consumption of an amaranth

The amaranth is used not only fresh, but also in the form of tincture, broth and oil. Tincture prepares on the water bath and is applied within 14 days (in 30 minutes prior to food) at enuresis and other inflammations of urinogenital system.

Collecting a camomile, amaranth and St. John's Wort promotes rejuvenation and recovery of an organism, and also cell regeneration. From roots of an amaranth prepare special broth which is accepted on 1/3 glasses by 2 times a day.

For the refreshing and antiinflammatory bathtubs use the crushed amaranth leaves which boil within 20 minutes and pour in a bathtub. Juice from leaves of a plant is applied to rinsing of an oral cavity, and also to treatment of gastritis, disturbances of functioning of a liver and a diabetes mellitus.

Leaves of this plant to taste are similar to spinach and from them tasty salads, soups and borsches turn out. Leaves in a dry form are used as a vitamin supplement, and seeds of an amaranth are similar to hazelnuts and add them to teas, and also use at conservation of vegetables.

Contraindications

Despite a set of positive reviews, an amaranth has also contraindications.

Contraindications to the use of an amaranth are the individual intolerance and existence of allergic reactions. It is not necessary to use a plant at a serious illness of the alimentary system, cholecystitis, an urolithiasis and disorders of intestines.

Children should not eat often an amaranth, and also it is better to give it together with other vegetables and olive oil to avoid negative impact on the alimentary system.