The efficacy and function of Amaranthus retroflexus

Amaranth is a wild vegetable that exists around us, but many people are not familiar with it. It is mainly distributed in some humid and well-lit places. Amaranth has excellent effects in supplementing our body with many nutrients, such as carotene and vitamin C. But in addition to being a food, Amaranth also has many medicinal values. Let us learn about it together.

The stems of Amaranthus retroflexus are erect, sturdy, light green, and densely covered with short hairs; the leaves are rhombic-ovate or elliptic-ovate, cuneate at the base, and have soft hairs; the tepals are acute or concave at the apex, with a small protrusion. Amaranthus retroflexus is mainly distributed in Northeast China, North China, Northwest China, Shandong, Taiwan, Henan and other places. It grows mostly on hillsides, roadsides, wilderness, wasteland, field edges, ditches, river banks, etc.

Nutritional Benefits of Amaranthus retroflexus

Amaranth is rich in iron, calcium, carotene and vitamin C. 100 grams of tender stems and leaves contain 5.5 grams of protein, 0.6 grams of fat and 8 grams of carbohydrates.

Amaranthus retroflexus is cool in nature and sweet in taste. It has the effects of clearing away heat and improving eyesight, promoting urination and defecation, astringing and reducing swelling, detoxifying and treating dysentery, and anti-inflammatory and hemostatic. It can treat hematuria, internal hemorrhoid bleeding, tonsillitis, acute enteritis and other diseases.

How to eat Amaranthus retroflexus

Amaranthus retroflexus is collected in spring and summer. Its edible parts are the tender stems and leaves. After picking, wash them with clean water, then blanch them in boiling water for a while, and then take them out and eat them cold or stir-fry them. The calcium it contains is easily absorbed by the human body, and the rich iron can synthesize hemoglobin in cells, which plays the role of hematopoiesis and oxygen carrying. It is known as a "blood-replenishing vegetable." Amaranth contains a variety of amino acids, especially lysine, which is necessary for the human body. However, it is found in lower concentrations in grains such as corn, wheat, and rice. Therefore, eating amaranth regularly is very beneficial to human health.

In addition, because Amaranthus retroflexus is cold in nature, people with spleen deficiency and loose stools should use it with caution, and it should not be eaten with crabs.

The therapeutic effects of wild amaranth

1. Promote blood coagulation: Wild Amaranth is very rich in iron and calcium, which can promote blood coagulation function, improve hematopoietic function, and increase the amount of hemoglobin in the human body.

2. Increase calcium: Wild Amaranth is very rich in calcium, which is very beneficial for children's growth and development. The calcium in wild Amaranth is very easily absorbed by the human body and promotes the growth and development of teeth and bones. The elderly can also enhance bone health and prevent osteoporosis by eating wild amaranth.

3. Weight loss effect: Regular consumption of wild amaranth can promote the excretion of toxins in the body, prevent constipation, and achieve a weight loss effect.

4. Supplement iron: Regular consumption of wild amaranth can also prevent ischemia in the human body. People with anemia should especially eat more wild amaranth. The effect of iron supplementation is very obvious. This is because the iron contained in wild amaranth is easier to be absorbed by the human body.