Description
Medicinal Parts
The entire plant is used medicinally
Flower and Fruit
The inflorescence is bifurcated, solitary, and oblong-spicate in dense spikelike terminal clusters with very short internodes, often composed of twigs. In some species they are all in the leaf axils. The plant is monoecious, dioecious, or mixed. Bracteoles are 4 to 6 mm, ovate, with a mucro that is about twice as long as the perianth. The perianth segments are narrowly ovate, usually acute and about as long as the fruit. The segments are dry-skinned, whitish- or reddish-green to red. The ovary is ovate. The fruit is one-seeded, ovate, dry-skinned, and forms a transversely dehiscing capsule. Seeds are lentil-shaped, erect, circular, smooth and usually black.
Leaves, Stem, and Root
The plant is a tall, glabrous annual, occasionally perennial, and grows up to 2 m tall. It is erect, glabrous or sparsely pubescent above. The leaves are rhomboid-ovate and alternate, with occasionally undulating or ruffled margins.
Habitat
Amaranth is common in temperate and warm climates.
Production
Amaranth is the complete plant in flower of Amaranthus hypochondriacus.
Other Names
Lady Bleeding, Lovely Bleeding, Love-Lies-Bleeding, Red Cockscomb, Velvet Flower, Pilewort, Prince's Feather
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds
Saponins
Betacyans
Protoalkaloids
Effects
The drug is said to have an astringent effect (possibly due to the saponins, betacyans, and protoalkaloids). There are no studies available on efficacy.
Indications & Usage
Unproven Uses
Amaranth has been used for diarrhea, ulcers, and inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
Dosage
Mode of Administration
Amaranth is administered orally as a liquid extract.
