The annual plant amaranth is a weed that many have seen in gardens and fields, on roadsides. Not everyone knows that traditional healers consider this herb to be a medicinal plant containing many useful substances necessary for a person.
Description
Common shiritsa, candleflower, rubella, amaranth - all these are the names of one plant that are used in different regions of our country. And that's not all: the plant is known as velvet, cockscombs, axamitnik. It refers to herbaceous plants with small red flowers, which are collected in inflorescences - dense, spike-paniculate, rather long. Common amaranth flowers remain on the plant for several months.
This is an ancient plant that began to be cultivated in South America as a grain crop. In Spain, it was considered a flower of evil spirits, because it was forbidden there. Common amaranth appeared in Europe in the 16th century, and in Russia in the 19th. Sweden even establishedspecial order for shiritsa.
This is an annual herbaceous plant with a tall thick stem up to one meter high with oblong-lanceolate, alternate, pointed leaves covered with purple-red spots. Flowering begins in August with small flowers that gather in paniculate spike-shaped inflorescences. Common amaranth blooms until frost.
The seeds of the plant are shiny small black grains. To date, about a hundred species of plants belonging to this family are known, which grow in moderately warm regions. Most of them are weeds.
Some types of amaranth are a valuable food crop. Today, ornamental varieties have been bred that adorn garden plots in the fall. Dried flowers of this plant evoke pleasant memories of summer in a long cold winter. Translated from Greek, amaranth is translated as "unfading flower". Under natural conditions, amaranth can be found in China and India.
Using shiritsa
In many countries of Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, amaranth is considered a fodder and medicinal plant. Flour and confectionery products, drinks are made from grains. Fresh and dried leaves are fried, steamed and canned. In Asian cuisine, common amaranth herb is used as a delicious vitamin supplement for salads, fish, and meat. In Greek cuisine, amaranth shoots are poured with olive oil, lemon juice is added and used as a side dish with fish dishes.dishes.
In folk medicine sprouted grains are used as a means to strengthen the body. Chinese healers use amaranth seed oil to treat tumors and fight aging. The amaranth oil contains a unique element, squalene (we will talk about it in more detail below). Common amaranth seeds are recommended for use as additives in dietary products: bakery products, cereals, confectionery and pasta.
Apricot flour has biological value, is a source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins C and PP. It does not contain gluten and may well become the basis of the diet for patients with celiac disease, without the addition of wheat flour. In Russia, this plant is grown as an ornamental and for animal feed. Getting into the garden, field, common amaranth, the photo of which you can see in this article, is growing rapidly. It is considered a weed that is very difficult to control.
Common shiritsa: useful properties
Despite the fact that amaranth, or amaranth, is a weed plant, and earlier it was most often used for livestock feed, people eventually noticed its beneficial properties and began to use it for treatment. Each part of common amaranth has a rich biological and chemical composition:
- proteins, including albumins and globulins;
- fats;
- dietary fiber (fiber);
- carbs;
- tocotrienol form of vitamin E;
- carbs;
- squalene;
- amino acid lysine;
- flavonoids (rutin,quercetin and trefolin);
- phospholipids;
- ascorbic acid;
- B vitamins;
- retinol (vitamin A);
- niacin;
- pectins.
The plant contains a huge amount of micro and macro elements: calcium and potassium, manganese and magnesium, fluorine and sodium, zinc and iron, copper and selenium. Leaves and seeds of common amaranth contain a fatty oil saturated with associated acids (oleic, stearic, linoleic, palmitic). The roots contain:
- amaranthine;
- isoamaranthine;
- isobetanine;
- betanine;
- alkaloids.
Squalene
It is especially necessary to dwell on this substance, which is part of the plant. Squalene is a triterpene hydrocarbon belonging to the group of carotenoids. Its peculiarity lies in helping to saturate the cells of the body with oxygen.
Being active in metabolism, squalene affects cholesterol levels. Moreover, it has antimicrobial properties. This substance is often used in cosmetology. Its pronounced anti-aging properties are used in the production of anti-aging cosmetics.
Common shiritsa: medicinal properties
Due to the rich vitamin and mineral composition and high energy value, folk healers and traditional medicine doctors actively use this amazing plant in their practice. Preparations based on it are indicated for treatment:
- somediseases of the genitourinary system;
- children's nocturnal enuresis;
- recovery of the body with anemia, beriberi and loss of strength;
- hemorrhoid pain;
- atherosclerosis;
- overweight and obese;
- diabetes mellitus, as a prophylactic;
- neurosis.
How does recovery work?
Decoctions and infusions of the plant are used to treat skin lesions, dental diseases (periodontal disease, stomatitis), healing ulcers of the gastrointestinal system. Shiritsa stimulates:
- saturation of organs and tissues with oxygen;
- immune system to resist viruses;
- prevents the formation and development of cancer cells;
- blood is cleansed of infections;
- heavy metals and toxins are removed;
- improves visual acuity;
- accelerates recovery from serious illnesses and radiation therapy;
- regenerative functions are activated.
Recipes based on shiritsa
The healing properties of common amaranth are used in many preparations based on this plant. We will introduce you to some of them.
Decoction of roots
To prepare this remedy, you will need fifteen grams of dry crushed raw materials, which are brewed with boiling water (200 ml). Then the container with the grass is placed in a water bath and boiled for thirty minutes. Within ten minutes, the composition is allowed to cool and filter. acceptremedy for a third cup twice a day.
Infusion of leaves
Twenty grams of dry leaves pour 250 ml of hot boiled water. Boil in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. Forty-five minutes, the remedy should be infused, after which it should be filtered and you can take the composition of a third of a glass twice a day.
Infusion of leaves (fresh)
One tablespoon (tablespoon) of crushed grass leaves pour 200 ml of boiling water. Wrap the container and let the product brew for about forty minutes. Strain and take with honey a quarter cup for acute pain in the stomach three times a day.
Apricot oil
Derived from grains, this substance is rich in squalene. It contains vitamin D, which is necessary for the full synthesis of the hormone. In addition, it is useful for human skin, has many medicinal properties. The seeds of amaranth are rich in vitamin E, the best antioxidant. Oil from amaranth seeds surpasses sea buckthorn oil in all respects.
Bath decoction
Crushed dry grass (400 g) brew with two liters of boiling water and boil for another fifteen minutes over low heat. For half an hour, let the product brew and pour it into the bath. This therapeutic bath is recommended three times a week for skin diseases. The duration of the procedure is no more than half an hour.
Vodka tincture
Dry grass of common amaranth (flowers and leaves) pour vodka and put in a dark place for two weeks. Strain and take a spoon (tea) diluted in a smallthe amount of water before meals for diseases of the genitourinary system.
Apricot juice
For diabetes, gastritis, pain in the liver, folk healers recommend taking amaranth juice mixed with homemade sour cream and cream. Juice is prepared as follows. Juice is squeezed out of fresh leaves, after passing them through a meat grinder or chopping with a blender. You can use a juicer.
Juice is mixed in a 1:1 ratio with cream. It should be taken three times a day for a spoon (table) after meals.
Enuresis treatment
A tablespoon (tablespoon) of crushed amaranth inflorescences together with seeds must be poured with 250 ml of boiling water and put the container in a water bath for twenty minutes. After the specified time, leave the product to cool completely. Then strain and take a spoon (tea) with 50 ml of water. Take three times a day thirty minutes before meals and before bedtime. The course of treatment is designed for two weeks.
Rejuvenating Blend
This is a unique composition that removes toxins and other harmful substances from the body. To prepare it, you will need amaranth, St. John's wort, birch buds and chamomile, one spoon each (tablespoon). Brew two tablespoons of the collection with 500 ml of boiling water, let the composition brew for three hours and strain it. The mixture is taken twice a day, one glass each - in the morning on an empty stomach and at night, adding a spoonful of honey (tea). Before taking the infusion should be warmed up. Re-admission of this anti-aging mixture is carried out no earlier than two years later.
Contraindications
Like all medicinal plants, amaranth has limitations in taking drugs based on it. These include:
- cholelithiasis;
- pancreatitis;
- gluten enteropathy;
- urolithiasis;
- individual intolerance;
- cholecystitis.
