Amaranthus spinosus Linn. also known as Amaranth is a very popular food crop which is known for its medicinal properties throughout the world.It is believed to be the oldest food crops that have been cultivation since 6700 BC. It is commonly recognized as thorny amaranth, spiny pigweed, spiny amaranth, or prickly amaranth.
The matured form of Amaranth is also called as ‘Amaranth spleen’.
It is also one of the popular foods of India, in Hindi, Amaranth is known
as Kate wali Chaulai or Kanatabhaji and in Sanskrit, it is called tanduliyaka.Its
leaves once in a while look like spinach, and it is available in red, green,
and purple and golden color. It is believed that there are more than 70 species
of plants throughout the world. Amaranth is known for its amazing source of
medicines.
Where Does Amaranth Grow?
The evidence indicates that Amaranth’s origin is South
America towards Central America to Mexico.
It is believed that shikri (Hunter-gatherers) collected and ate
the seeds since pre-historic times; the seeds were also harvested by Aztec and
Inca tribes of Central and South America.
The evidence shows that its domestication took place as far back
as 4,000 or 5,000 BC. Today Amaranthus spinosus is distributed vastly
throughout the tropics and warm temperate regions of Asia.
It is cultivated throughout India, Sri Lanka, and found throughout
the tropical zone and warm temperate regions of Asia Indonesia to Japan to the
Pacific islands. In Australia, it is cultivated as a weed well and also found
in fallow lands.
How Does Amaranth Plant
Look Like?
Amaranth is a green herb that is often called vegetable amaranth
it looks like spinach in addition to tasting somewhat spinach like.
Stems: The stems are normally long upwards, narrow cut. The Grain amaranth plants dicotyledon plants with wide strong stems look similar to those of sunflowers. It can grow up to about 3 to 9 feet tall when mature.
Leaves: The leaves of Amaranthu’s plant are varying in size; they may be purple or green, with thin branches. They are usually simple with entire margins, with alternate and distinct marks relating to on species.
Flowers: The flowers are tiny green and are held up in dense generally towards the tips of the branches with elongated clusters. They have a long, soft feather look which is pink, green, white, or purplish in Colour.
Seed: The seeds are generally small and shiny black; it differs to those of grain types, which are yellowish white. The tiny round shape seeds are mostly pale in color, have up to 3000 seeds per gram.
Another Name For Amaranthus
English: Prickly Amaranth, Needle burr, Spiny amaranth, Thorny
amaranth
Hindi: Kanta
chaulai, Chaulai, lal sag
Gujarati: Kantalo
dhimdo, Kantanu dant
Manipuri: Chengkruk
Marathi: Kante
bhaji, kante math, Shavrani math
Tamil: Mullukkeerai
Malayalam: Kattumullenkeera
Telugu: Mullatotakura
Kannada: Mulluharive
soppu
Bengali: Kantanotya
Oriya: Kantaneutia
Sanskrit: Tanduliuyah
Kashmiri: Bustan
afroz, mawal
Punjabi: Taj
khurus
Urdu: Gulkesh
Tamil: Punkirai
Telegu: Chilaka
thotakoora
Uses Of Amaranthus Plant In
Ayurveda
§ Digestible
§ Laxative
§ Diuretic
§ Stomachic
§ Antipyretic
§ Improves
appetite
§ Biliousness
§ Blood
diseases
§ Burning
sensation
§ Leprosy
§ Bronchitis
§ Piles
§ Leucorrhoea
What is Amaranthus Extracted Used
For?
§ Anti-inflammatory
properties
§ Hematology
§ Immunomodulatory
activity
§ Anthelmintic
properties
§ Antidiabetic
§ Antihyperlipidemic
§ Spermatogenic
§ Immune-stimulating activity
Types of Amaranth Grown in
India
Presently, Amaranth are recognized in three subgenera with around
more than 70 species, although species numbers are doubtful, it is due to the
hybridizing of species in different climate and areas.
1.Amaranth Vridis: It is the most common varieties that are found all over India it is also called “green amaranth” and “slender amaranth.”
2.Amaranth Paniculatus: This type of plant is also called “autumn palette,” it is due to its gorgeous colors of gold with rust and delicate orange.
3.Amaranth Caudatus: It is also known as “love lies bleeding” it is due to its red color flower that looks beautiful overhanging inflorescences.
4.Amaranth Tricolor: This type is named “tricolor leaves” as it has leaves that are red, yellows, and green’s colors.
5.Amaranth Hypochondriacus: It is also known as “Prince of Wales Feather” it is due to its decorative look. It has tall, thin, spikyinflorescences. Mostly, this type of plant originates in Mexico, but it is found throughout the Himalayas region.
6.Amaranth Spinosus: This type of plant is also called “prickly amaranthus” and “spiky amaranthus” it is due to its small thorny bush on the stem.
7.Amaranth Cruentus: It is a green variety of
plants that may sometimes appear in beautiful shades of cinnamon, purple, red,
and ginger.
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