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Sometimes you sometimes come across a weed in the country, the look of which is familiar from childhood, but you don’t know its name. And then it turns out that this is a “chest” with health. A similar story came out with amaranth – a plant that I will tell you about in the article.
Amaranth: what is it
The age of this plant is 8000 years. Amaranth has a number of names: squid, cockscomb, fox’s tail, aksamitnik and velvet. Homeland – South America. The ancient tribes of the Aztecs and Incas cultivated amaranth, calling it “the second bread”. Leaves and stems were used to feed livestock.
From the south of America, the plant got to the north of the country, then appeared in the countries of Asia. It is easy to guess that the Spaniards brought amaranth seeds to Europe. At first, amaranth had the status of an ornamental plant, and in the XNUMXth century. they began to grow it as a fodder and cereal crop.
Chemical composition
In 100 gr. seeds (grains)
- calorie content – 370 kcal;
- protein – 13 gr.
- fiber – 6 gr.
- water – 11 g;
- fats – 7 gr;
- carbohydrates – 58 gr;
- starch;
- pectins;
- minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus;
- vitamins A, D, E, C, B vitamins;
- flavonoids;
- phospholipid;
- steroids and phytosteroids;
- antitumor substance (squalenado) – 10%;
- essential amino acids (lysine is 30 times higher than in other cereals);
- polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-6, oleic, linoleic, linolenic).
All parts of the plant are useful:
- Young spinach-like leaves are used in salads and soups.
- Seeds: cereals for porridge and oil.
- Stems or silage are animal feed.
Amaranth: useful properties and applications
The plant has medicinal properties:
- antitumor;
- tonic;
- hemostatic;
- restorative.
What is useful for the body:
- prevention of cardiovascular diseases;
- prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques and blood clots;
- increases immunity;
- protects cells from radiation;
- slows down skin aging;
- saturates the body with oxygen;
- restores the body after chemotherapy;
- lowers bad cholesterol;
- prevention of coronary heart disease;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- eliminates calcium deficiency in the body;
- ideal product for a gluten-free diet.
Amaranth oil: properties and uses
Amaranth oil is the most expensive vegetable oil. It is obtained in three ways:
- Extraction – the grains are squeezed out under high pressure of an inert gas.
- Direct pressing is a direct pressing method.
- Cold – pressing the germ of grains.
In the third option, useful substances are completely preserved in the oil.
The oil is used to treat gastritis, cholecystitis, varicose veins, colitis, stomach ulcers, cirrhosis and hepatic steatosis, pancreatitis. Provides assistance in the prevention of heart attack, stroke and a number of heart diseases. Effectively cares for the skin of the face:
- well absorbed;
- moisturizes dry skin, making it soft;
- prevention of age-related pigmentation;
- heals cracks;
- slows the aging process;
- reduces sensitivity to ultraviolet rays (replaces sunscreen);
- suitable for massage;
- for adding to the composition of masks for the face and hair.
The main “chip” of amaranth oil is an organic compound – squalene. This substance wins the fight against bad cholesterol. It is found in shark liver oil and vegetable oils. For comparison, in terms of squalene content:
- The first place is occupied by amaranth – up to 8%
- Shark liver fat – up to 1,5%
- Olive oil – 0,9%
Taking the oil internally will improve digestion, help cope with anemia, and prevent hair loss. The course of treatment is 1 month. Take in the morning and evening (1 teaspoon before meals or two hours after meals).
Противопоказания
- intolerance;
- in rare cases, nausea and dizziness are possible;
- a doctor’s consultation is necessary in the acute stages of chronic diseases.
😉 Friends, are you familiar with this plant? We are waiting in the comments for your opinion on the topic “Amaranth: benefits and harms to health”. Be healthy by all means! Subscribe to the newsletter of new articles on your e-mail.