Amaranth: areas of application and tips for use
Amaranth in everyday life is called amaranth, velvet, fox tail, cockscomb and unfading color. Many of us are accustomed to seeing a plant in our gardens and household plots, not even realizing the mass of its useful qualities.
Description
Amaranth is considered an annual crop, which is common in areas with a temperate and warm climate. Grass, depending on the species, can have a thick stem, which reaches a height of one to two meters. The foliage of the plant is oblong, pointed, it is colored green, yellow, red or burgundy. The flowering period of the crop falls at the end of August and can continue until frost. Homeland vegetable amaranth - America.
The inflorescence can be brownish-red, crimson, purple and consists of a large number of small flowers. The seed is small, glossy, smooth, cream, brown or black in color. Of the frequently occurring species, one can single out the varieties "Valentina", "Krepysh", "Opopeo", "White Leaf" and "Oscar Blanco", which are beloved by gardeners.
Amaranth grows on soils of various types, not excluding stony and sandy ones. Planting can be carried out both with seeds and seedlings, but in a well-lit area. In the first month of growth, the plant needs abundant watering, loosening the soil, and mulching.
This variety of vegetable grass has a rich protein and vitamin composition, while it is quite high in calories.
Amaranth is saturated with iron, selenium, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, as well as vitamins B, PP, A, C and K. That is why it has a beneficial effect on the human body when consumed and is used in medicine, cooking and many other areas.
In cosmetology
The use of amaranth in cosmetology is gaining popularity in recent years. The oil produced from this plant contains squalene, which prevents the development of cancer. And also this element is able to maintain optimal skin moisture, slow down its aging, and enrich it with oxygen. It is a known fact that only amaranth oil contains the active form of vitamin E, while in other plants it is in a passive state.
This type of oil has an antibacterial and disinfectant effect on the skin. A preparation is used for rubbing the skin, it is considered especially effective for herpes and small burns. Amaranth oil can be used as a base for a homemade cream with glycerin and aromatic oils. A mask has a good effect on the skin of the face, you can do it with the addition of oatmeal. The use of this product has an exfoliating and moisturizing effect.
A woman can use vegetable oil at any age, it is suitable for different skin types.
In animal husbandry
Amaranth is used by the owners of livestock farms and livestock as feed. The use of this plant in food is the filling of the body of animals with proteins and carbohydrates in their optimal amount. This crop has a higher productivity compared to corn. Haylage and silage are prepared from green mass.
The popularity of amaranth is not only in its high protein content, but also in the presence of carotene, lysine, folic acid, which can increase appetite and accelerate the growth of animals.
For medicinal purposes
The composition of this type of vegetable crop is used in the treatment of various diseases and the normalization of the state of the body. The leaves of the plant are used to prepare extracts that can be taken even by children from the age of two. This is a good remedy for strengthening the immune system and raising the tone of the body. Thanks to the elements that are present in the leaves of amaranth, the following processes occur in the human body:
- the hormonal background is normalized;
- pain sensations are eliminated;
- heat and fever are eliminated;
- increased resistance to infectious diseases;
- vessels are strengthened;
- potency increases;
- the work of the respiratory tract is normalized;
- skin condition improves.
Amaranth grain is the basis for the preparation of flour, starch and bran. The use of these products stimulates the following processes in the body:
- normalization of sugar and cholesterol levels;
- acceleration of metabolism;
- optimization of bowel function;
- functioning of the liver and kidneys;
- improvement of the nervous system;
- normalization of blood pressure.
In folk medicine
Traditional healers use amaranth to improve the condition of a sick person in case of illness. Therefore, there are a large number of proven recipes, which are based on the seeds and leaves of the grass.
- Alcohol based tincture. To prepare the medicine, you need to pour two hundred grams of dry amaranth with one glass of vodka and leave for a week in a dark and cool place. The remedy is taken ten drops three times a day to strengthen the body's immunity.
- Healing baths. To prepare the drug, you will need to pour 0.5 kg of dry foliage and seeds with two liters of boiled water. After cooling down in the bath, you can lower your arms or legs, which are affected by skin diseases and wrinkles.
- Water tincture. Fifteen grams of the crushed substance is poured with one liter of boiling water and infused for fifteen minutes. After straining, lemon juice can be added to the tincture and taken three times a day in the amount of fifteen milliliters for two weeks. Such a tincture is able to normalize the renal and hepatic work.
- Germinated seed. Amaranth seeds that have been germinated should be taken a few hours before meals, this procedure gives a good anti-cancer effect.
In cooking
For hundreds of years, amaranth has been used in the food industry and home cooking. The seeds of the plant are used to make cereals, and the leaves are used for salads. The leaves can also be used as a stew or as the base for a wonderful sauce. A participant in many dishes is vegetable amaranth flour. It can be used for batters, breadings.
You can cook vegetable cutlets from amaranth. To do this, grass seeds are fried, mixed with mashed peas or potatoes, grated carrots and two eggs. Next, it is worth forming cutlets and frying. The result is not only tasty, but also a healthy dish.
And there are also reviews of the wonderful energy, which includes amaranth. For its preparation, tomatoes are ground through a sieve, mixed with kvass from bread, amaranth leaves and a spoonful of ground black pepper. Having drunk such a cocktail with a bang, you can feel full of strength and vigor throughout the day.
You will learn more about the beneficial properties and use of amaranth from the following video.