The efficacy and function of wild amaranth

Speaking of wild amaranth, we are all familiar with it. Wild amaranth is not only edible but also has very high medicinal effects. Eating wild amaranth regularly can have very good health-preserving and health-care effects.

[Other names] Amaranth seeds, Amaranthus seeds, West Wind Valley

[Source] Medicinal material source: The seeds of Amaranthus retroflexus or Amaranthus retroflexus, plants of the Amaranthaceae family.

[Original form] 1. Annual herb, 10-30cm tall. The stem is obliquely upward, branched at the base, slightly ribbed, glabrous, light green to dark purple, dark red with green on the upper part, and procumbent. Simple leaves are alternate; petiole is 1-3.5cm long; leaf blade is ovate or rhombus-ovate, 1.5-4.5cm long, 1-3cm wide, with concave or obtuse tip, broad cuneate base, entire or slightly wavy margin. Flowers are unisexual or polygamous, small; clustered in leaf axils or in terminal spikes or panicles; bracts are membranous and oblong; tepals are 3, slender and oblong, with obtuse and slightly pointed tips, curved inwards; stamens are 3; stigmas are 3 or 2, linear, and fall off when the fruit is ripe. The utricle is flat-ovate, indehiscent, nearly smooth or slightly wrinkled. The seeds are annular, black to dark brown, with an annular edge. The flowering period is July-August, and the fruiting period is August-September.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: 1. Grown in gardens, roadsides, etc.

[Properties] Characteristics identification: The seeds are ring-shaped (Amaranthus concave-headed) or nearly spherical (Amaranthus retroflexus), with a diameter of 0.8-1.5mm. The surface of the former is red-black to dark brown, with a ring-shaped edge. The latter are brown or black, with blunt edges and a slightly shiny finish. Slight odor, light taste.

【Chemical composition】 The seed oil contains myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet; Cool

【Meridian】 Liver; Bladder

【Functions and indications】 Clears the liver and improves eyesight; diuretic. It is used for liver heat, red eyes, cataracts, and difficulty urinating.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 6-12g.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the effects of wild amaranth. When using it, you can do so according to the needs mentioned above. Wild amaranth is also very helpful in treating certain diseases.