AMARANTH

Latin: Amaranthus retroflexus L.

Latvian: amarants

DESCRIPTION

Annual, depending on the place of growth, very different sizes (ga 10-100 cm),

annual plant of the amaranth family. The plant is pale or yellowish green. Stem erect,

stiff, simple or with short branches, hairy. The leaves are rhombic-ovate (ga 4-10 cm,

width 2-7 cm), with a stem. The edge of the plate is smooth or wavy, the tip is blunt,

rarely short-pointed, with a barbed tip. Flowers at the end of the stem and branches

are pyramidal, egg-shaped, dense and yellowish. Usually the inflorescence at the

top of the stem is the largest. There are also often small tuft-like inflorescences in

leafy sedges. Petals long pointed, twice as long as the inflorescence. Male flower

from 5 lanceolate perianth leaves. Also in the female flower 5 perianth leaves; they

are linear, membranous, wider at the top. The tip of the leaves of the inflorescence

with a short spiny spike. Blooms from mid-June to August.

A tropical climate zone species from America, widely introduced throughout the

world. An introduced (adventive) plant in Europe. In Latvia, often throughout the

territory, the most common species of amaranth.

Individual specimens and small groups in various weeds, roadsides and railways.

Fairly easy to distinguish, but could sometimes be similar to blue amaranth (A.

lividus). It can be distinguished by its rhomboid-ovate leaves with a blunt or short

pointed tip. The stem is erect.

USE OF

Amaranth oil is a valuable product that is produced from amaranth seeds. It contains

67% polyunsaturated fatty acids (OMEGA-6), lecithin, vitamin E and a large amount

of squalene. Squalene was first extracted from the liver of deep-sea sharks. This

excellent compound saturates the body`s tissues and organs with oxygen.

Amaranth oil contains 8% squalene, and shark liver - 1.5%. Scientists believe that

squalene inhibits the formation of tumors. It strengthens the immune system.

Drink 1 teaspoon 2 times a day half an hour before meals, course 30-45 days.

https://www.fitoterapia.lv/plant/amarants-liektais-amaranthus-retroflexus-l/

Augu katalogs ir tapis ar Eiropas Savienības finansiālu atbalstu Pārrobežu sadarbības programmas 2014.–2020. gadam projekta LVIII-062 “Versts of Feelings 2” ietvaros