Shchiritsa is a herbaceous plant, has small red flowers that can be collected in an inflorescence - long, dense, spicate-paniculate. Flowers last for several months. There are other names for this plant - velvet, amaranth, cockscombs, axamite. This type of plant is considered ancient; it began to be grown a long time ago; at first it was distributed in the South of America as a grain crop, it was considered corn. In Spain, they said that this plant was of evil spirits, which is why it was prohibited there. In Europe, shiritsa appeared only in the 16th century, in Russia in the 19th century. In Sweden, a special order appeared for this plant.

Description of shiritsa

A lot of types of this plant can be found in Pakistan, India, China and the American South. The wild species of the plant is distributed almost everywhere, it is only absent in Antarctica and areas where the area is warm and dry.

Experts predict that soon this type of plant will occupy an important place in human nutrition, because it is rich in yield and nutritional value.

Application of shiritsa

Some countries in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia classify ashiritsa as a cereal crop, fodder plant, vegetable and medicine. The grains are used to make confectionery, flour products and drinks. Because it is rich in fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and has a pleasant nutty taste and aroma.

Traditional medicine uses sprouted grains as medicine and a means to strengthen the body. The leaves, when dry and fresh, can be fried, steamed and canned. They should also be used in Asian cuisine as a vitamin and flavor additive in salads, meat, and fish.

Greek cuisine adds olive oil and lemon juice to shiritsa shoots and consumes them with fish.

Chinese medicine oil with the help of acorn seeds fights tumors, thus you can slow down the aging process. Ashiritsa oil is rich in squalene, which is a unique substance, has wound-healing properties, with its help you can restore the skin and rejuvenate internal organs. It is very good to use this type of oil after radiotherapy, this way you can recover faster after radiation.

Russia grows plants as decoration and animal feed. When it gets into a field or garden, it is considered a malicious weed.

Useful properties of shiritsa

Seeds from this plant are valued because they contain large quantity protein, more than soy or wheat. They are also rich in amino acids, which is why they are most often used by vegetarians. The leaves and shoots of amaranth contain vitamins B6, C, A, as well as valuable minerals - zinc, manganese, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium. Shchiritsa contains many biologically active substances and fiber.

The plant is healthier than corn and rice, because their composition includes lysine, amino acids and methionine. With its help you can protect yourself from cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, and hemorrhoids. Shchiritsa is rich in fiber; this type of plant, unlike other cereals, never causes allergies.

But those who are individually intolerant to gluten should not eat ashiritsa, because it contains a lot of this substance.

With the help of shiritsa you can get rid of excess cholesterol in the blood, because its composition is similar to cereals and pectin. The plant is rich in protein, so it is useful for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as for children. To ensure that the seeds are well preserved, they must be placed in a dry container.

They produce healthy flour from shiritsa, which contains a huge amount of flour; it makes a tasty flour product.

In Belarus, agaricum is one of the most common plants that grows in gardens and vegetable gardens, which is why it is classified as a weed.

The leaves of the plant are rich in vitamin C, zinc, tannin, carotene, manganese, potassium,.

Medicinal recipes based on shiritsa

1. If you are worried about strong symptoms, you need to brew an infusion from fresh leaves of the herb. To make it, you need to take one tablespoon of acorn grass, a glass of boiling water, and leave for 30 minutes. Drink up to 4 times a day.

2. Juice squeezed from acorn leaves helps with gastritis, liver diseases, and diabetes. To prepare it, you need to thoroughly wash the leaves, chop them well and squeeze the juice out of them. Add cream to it, consume one tablespoon 3 times a day.

3. Ashiritsa oil is rich in squalene; it is extracted from the seeds of the plant. It contains vitamin D, which must be consumed for the full synthesis of the hormone. It is also very beneficial for human skin and has many medicinal properties. Amaranth seeds are rich in vitamin E - this is the best antioxidant. They contain phospholipids, lecithin, phytosterols.

4. Alcohol tincture based on shiritsa is used for enuresis, hypotension, if the human body is exhausted, also in cases of underweight, weakness in old age, also after a person long time was sick.

5. An infusion based on acorn leaves should be used for anemia; it can also be used to treat cystitis and pyelonephritis. The course must last at least 10 days.

Thus, shiritsa is a healthy plant, rich in mineral salts, vitamins and balanced protein. The seeds are most valued because they contain many microelements and vitamins, which is why they are the best vitamin-containing plant. Shchiritsa greens also have beneficial properties, which is why leaves from the herb are added to salads and first courses for a reason. Amaranth sprouts are used for preventive purposes; with their help you can protect yourself from cardiovascular disease, oncology, establish lipid metabolism, and prevent the development of endocrinological diseases. When using ashiritsa oil, it is very important to take into account contraindications so as not to cause even greater harm to the body.

Meanwhile, it has a huge list of useful properties that our ancestors always knew about and successfully used them.

Chemical composition of the plant

The leaves and acorns are truly unique in their composition. First of all, it should be noted that the amount of vegetable protein and fiber in them is greater than in wheat and other cereals.

Amaranth leaves are rich in amino acids, including lysine, tannins, and carotene. The above-ground parts of the plant contain vitamins A, C, D, E, as well as rutin, which can replenish vitamin P reserves. Of the valuable minerals, this plant contains magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and iron.Did you know?

In Sweden in the 17th century there was an Order of Amaranth, the presence of which distinguished the nobility from ordinary people.

Beneficial properties of amaranth upturned

In folk medicine, its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and laxative properties are often used. The weed called agarica has found its place in the manufacture of cosmetics and in the preparation of various dishes.

Decoctions and infusions

As decoctions and infusions, amaranth helps to generally strengthen the body, increase potency, and get rid of worms.

Infusions are prepared with both alcohol and water - they are beneficial features this does not change.

Oil

Amaranth oil is rich in vitamin E and a carbohydrate compound called squalene. Vitamin E helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and remove excess cholesterol. Due to its high content, the oil is used in food to prevent thrombosis.

Amaranth leaves are rich in amino acids, including lysine, tannins, and carotene. The above-ground parts of the plant contain vitamins A, C, D, E, as well as rutin, which can replenish vitamin P reserves. Of the valuable minerals, this plant contains magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and iron. The Indians used amaranth seeds during rituals, and therefore in Europe it was long considered the “plant of the devil” and was forbidden to grow.

Squalene promotes the release of oxygen from fluids in the body, which is so necessary for all organs and tissues, and it is also involved in the synthesis of vitamin D and hormones, which is very important for the endocrine and immune systems.

Without vitamin A, which is contained in large quantities in amaranth oil, it is difficult to maintain normal health of eyes, skin, and teeth. This remedy also helps to cope with insomnia, depression, and get rid of headaches.
It is recommended to add this product to your diet for people suffering from osteochondrosis, arthritis, arthrosis, and muscle cramps. In general, the oil has a rejuvenating and strengthening effect on the human body.

Where is amaranth used?

Treatment

There are many recipes for the treatment of various diseases. Here are some of them:

For medicinal purposes, the oil should be taken orally only in its pure form or added to various dishes. It is usually prescribed according to the following scheme: 1 dessert spoon 30 minutes before meals for a month. The course is repeated every 5-6 months.

For those who do not tolerate the aftertaste well, it is advisable to rinse your mouth with water acidified with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.

To lower cholesterol, you need to take 2 teaspoons with meals.
Joint diseases and skin diseases are treated by rubbing or compresses, which are applied for 20-30 minutes twice a day.

For recovery in the postoperative period, as well as for anemia, you can prepare a water infusion from the leaves of the plant: take 3-4 tbsp. l. dry leaves, pour 1 liter of boiling water over them and leave for 4 hours. Take three times a day half an hour before meals. Single dosage - 0.5 cups. Important!

Amaranth has a very pleasant smell, which is liked not only by people, but also by rodents. Therefore, it should be stored in closed containers in the house so that the smell does not spread.

Prevention For those who care about the condition of the body and believe that it is better to preventive measures

, how to treat, amaranth is just a godsend.
For the purpose of prevention, to strengthen the immune system and as an additional source of vitamins, acorn oil is taken twice a year, usually in spring and autumn, 1 teaspoon 20 minutes before meals in the morning and evening.

You can also season it and add it to porridge. You can consume no more than 200 ml per course.

To rejuvenate the body and keep it in good shape, you can drink tea from dried acorn leaves - 1 tablespoon per glass of boiling water, steep for 15 minutes.

Cosmetology

simple mask: mix 1 egg yolk with a teaspoon of natural liquid and pour in 2 teaspoons of amaranth oil. This mask should be kept on the face for 15 minutes and washed off with warm water. Its use once a week will make the skin elastic and tightened, and relieve dryness and tightness.

Instead of store-bought hair conditioner, an infusion of acorn leaves will be useful: 4 tbsp. l. put dry raw materials or 8 fresh leaves in a liter thermos and pour boiling water. Leave for 24 hours, strain and dilute with water 1:1, rinse your hair 2 times a week.

How to prepare medicinal raw materials

1. The picked leaves are washed, allowed to dry, cut and laid out on paper in one layer in a well-ventilated room or outside in special dryers covered with glass. You need to dry it in the shade, periodically checking and stirring the raw materials. When it is rubbed into powder with your fingers, then it is ready.
2. Another way is to form bunches and hang them in the attic (or balcony).

Chiritsa leaves are also good for making green soups; for this purpose they are pickled. You can put them in a jar separately, or together with,

SHIRITSIA REFLECTED (COMMON)- Amaranthus retroflexus L.
Amaranth family - Amaranthaceae Juss.

Schiritsa upturned or common is an annual herbaceous plant 20-80 cm high. The stem is erect, branched, slightly angular, covered with short hairs. The leaves are quite large, long-petiolate, ovate or oblong-ovate, obtuse or somewhat notched at the apex, with short down. Flower balls are collected at the end of the stem into a very dense, more or less lobed, paniculate inflorescence. Perianth of 5 leaflets.

Blooms in summer.

Distributed in Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, in the European part of Russia (Lower Don region), in Western Siberia (all regions except Ob), in Eastern Siberia(all districts except Leno-Kolyma), in the south Far East(Amur region, Primorye), in the Caucasus (all regions), in Central Asia. Grows in vegetable gardens, melon fields, orchards, in garbage areas, wastelands, along roads, irrigation ditches, often in crops on irrigated and rainfed lands, from the lowlands to the mid-mountain zone, up to an altitude of 2200 m above sea level, in groups or singly, often forming thickets . Weedy. Introduced from North America. Herbs (stems, leaves, flowers), roots, leaves are used for medicinal purposes.

The plant contains alkaloids, betaine.

Betacyanins (amaranthine, isoamarantine, betanin, isobetanin) were found in the roots, and the nitrogen-containing compound betaine 0.96%, fatty oil, and acids (bound) in its composition were found in the leaves.

The Indians of the United States consider grass to be a means of causing obesity. In various countries, an infusion of the herb is taken for chronic inflammation of the uterus, and a decoction of the flowering tops is taken for the treatment of goiter.

An aqueous infusion of the acorn herb is used in folk medicine for colitis, intestinal colic, constipation as a laxative, as a hemostatic agent for hemoptysis, heavy menstruation and hemorrhoidal bleeding. An aqueous extract from plants collected in the flowering phase and dried has protistocidal and bactericidal properties. A decoction of the roots of the acorn plant is used against guinea worm and jaundice.

An infusion of leaves is a weak diuretic.

A decoction of the leaves is used in folk medicine for headaches and tumors; when roasted, the seeds replace cereals and poultry feed for dysentery.

Young shoots are used as spinach greens and a vitamin product.

Methods of preparation and use:

1. Add 1-2 tablespoons of chopped acorn herb to 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 1/3-1/2 cup before meals 3 times a day.

2 1 tablespoon of dry crushed leaves per 1 glass of water, boil for 2-3 minutes, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day before meals.

Random fact:

Modified starch is harmless and has nothing to do with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) —

Article added by user Natalya K.
13.03.2015

Amaranth - edible agaric

Amaranth- a weed or an extremely useful plant.##Schiritsa - Amaranthus retroflexus L. Homeland - central and eastern regions of the USA. It is currently one of the most common weeds in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It infests crops of most agricultural crops, including grains. The reduction in yield from common acorn grass can be 5-50%. During the flowering period it is a strong allergen. The common acorn is an annual plant that reproduces only by seeds. The maximum fertility of one plant is 1 million 70 thousand seeds. The number of seeds depends on the presence of light; in the shade, its fertility is much lower. Seed germination is stimulated by intense light and high temperature. The optimal depth is 1 cm. Seed germination directly depends on the level of damage to the shell; the more damaged the shell, the higher the percentage of germination. In the soil, seeds can remain viable for more than 20 years, on the soil surface - only 20 months. The germination period of acorn grass extends from early spring to the second half of summer. The fruits of the common acorn are capsules, the shape of the fruit is ovoid, slightly elongated. The box is compressed and opens with a lid. The color of the fruit is usually gray-green. The seeds are round, compressed from the sides. The surface of the seeds is smooth, shiny; at high magnification, a shallow mesh pattern is visible, which is formed by shallow wrinkles. The color of the seeds is intensely black, and if the seeds are immature, they are ruby ​​red. The diameter of one seed is 1-1.25 mm, the width does not exceed 1 mm, and the thickness is 0.5-0.75 mm. Weight of 1000 seeds - 0.3-0.4 g.

Shchiritsa is an indispensable food for animals.

Shchiritsa has a beneficial effect on the life and growth of domestic animals and poultry. They don't get sick. Bulls gain 1 kg of weight per day, pigs - 450 grams. In cows, not only milk yield increases, but also the fat content of milk. Chickens fed with amaranth seeds grow 6 times faster than those fed with millet and get sick less. So, if you do not allow the acorn to grow to the point of seeding, then the red amaranth (amaranth) should be grown in your garden as it is nutritious and healing product, capable of replacing meat for us. And for fattening pigs and poultry there is no more profitable feed. Amaranth is unpretentious and can grow in saline and alkaline soils. It does not wither in the driest soil, where not a drop of rain falls during the entire summer period. He owes this endurance unusual property absorb moisture from the air. Amaranth does not require treatment with pesticides (it is not affected by any insects) and the application of chemical and natural fertilizers to the soil, that is, it is grown as an environmentally friendly product.

Amaranth is a cultivated amaranth.

Starting from the 86th and 90s, when cultivated species of amaranth, amaranth, multiplied in botanical gardens, you could read about it in any newspaper about health and gardening. After such popularization, colorful dark red garden and ornamental amaranths appeared in gardens. Red amaranths - paniculata and caudate - are slightly less prolific - half a million seeds, and only those decorative look- squat cockscombs - 100-200 thousand seeds per plant. During the reforms carried out by Peter I, the cultivation of amaranth and the consumption of amaranth bread, which was previously the main food of Russian people, was prohibited, which led to the destruction of longevity on Earth (according to legend, the elders in Russia lived for a very long time, up to 300 years). Agricultural farms do not want to engage in it because our agricultural technology is not adapted to its large-scale cultivation. Its cleaning is not amenable to mechanization. Seed collection requires self made, when done by machine, the seeds fall off. That's why farm agronomists prefer corn, wheat, and barley - it's not so troublesome. If you want to collect acorn seeds from own plot, then you need to choose the strongest plants and not cut off their leaves. They are collected when lower leaves dry out and fall off, and the stem becomes whitish. You need to harvest in dry weather, you need to start cutting the inflorescences from the bottom, the seeds can easily spill out of them, so they need to be cut off a little unripe and dried. Then, mature inflorescences are ground by hand and sifted through a fine sieve. From one plant you can get up to half a million seeds, and their weight can be a kilogram or more. These seeds can be stored for up to five years. And the UN Food Commission elevated amaranth to product No. 1, which will satiate peoples and save humanity from hunger and recognized amaranth as a culture of the 21st century. Many countries grow amaranth: USA, India, China, Japan, etc. This product is included in dozens of vegetable, confectionery and bread products: salads, cookies, pasta, bread, flour, butter, starch and this is not full list where it is used.

The healing properties of amaranth have been known since ancient times.

In ancient Chinese medicine, amaranth was used as an anti-aging agent. It was known to both the ancient Greeks and the peoples of Central America - the Incas and Aztecs. Amaranth bread, according to legend, was called the bread of the Aztecs. Among the ancient Greeks, it was a symbol of immortality, since amaranth inflorescences never fade. The word AMARANTH literally means the bestower of immortality. Mara is the goddess of death, and the prefix “A” means negation in the language (for example, moral-immoral). Seeds of cultivated amaranths can be various colors. It is noteworthy that light seeds yield more vegetable oil, while dark seeds contain squalene and some other biologically active components in higher concentrations. In terms of the content of useful substances, this plant is many times superior to wheat and other traditional cereals. Amaranth seeds are rich in vitamins, macro- and microelements and contain up to 18% high-quality protein. Leaves and seeds contain all amino acids - essential and essential. Characteristic of amaranth is Aspartic acid, which plays important role in the synthesis of lysine - an essential amino acid. The most important amino acid - lysine in amaranth is 2.5 times more than in wheat and 3.5 times more than in corn. The Japanese compare amaranth greens to squid meat. Oil obtained from amaranth grains is superior to sea buckthorn oil in all respects. The special value of amaranth lies in the presence in its seeds of a substance such as squalene, which has a strong antioxidant effect and is recommended for atherosclerosis and coronary disease heart, lowers cholesterol levels, improves the condition of the coronary arteries, helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer, significantly strengthens the immune system, helps remove toxins, radionuclides and heavy metal salts from the body. Amaranth seeds are recommended to be used as additives in many dietary products: cereals, baked goods, pasta and confectionery in an amount of 5-20%, preferably daily. Amaranth flour has a high biological value, serves as a rich source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and PP. Amaranth flour does not contain gluten and can become the basis for creating products for patients with celiac disease (gluten enteropathy), without the addition of wheat flour. Iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and a rich set of vitamins B1, B2, E, vitamins D, phospholipids, and phytosterols give it healing properties. The rich content of essential amino acids - valine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine and tryptophan - makes it a truly medicinal product. Unique chemical composition amaranth determined the limitlessness of its use as a remedy. The ancient Aztecs used amaranth to feed newborn children; warriors took amaranth grains with them on difficult campaigns as a source of strength and health. A veritable pharmacy, amaranth was used to treat royalty in ancient India and China. Scientists have found that amaranth removes radionuclides from the body. Amaranth helps with many diseases: inflammatory processes genitourinary system in women and men, hemorrhoids, diabetes, obesity, neuroses, anemia and weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, impotence with serious illnesses, kidney disease, liver disease, gastrointestinal tract, various skin diseases and burns, stomatitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, atherosclerosis. Urinary incontinence in children can be cured in just a week by drinking a decoction of the seeds as tea.

Amaranth plant: photos, types, medicinal properties, cultivation and use. Amaranth was a staple crop of the ancient Aztecs, who grew it for food and considered it a sacred crop. The statues, made from amaranth seed and honey, were worshiped, torn apart and eaten in religious ceremonies. Conquistadors, trying to destroy Aztec culture, banned the cultivation of Amaranth, threatening severe punishment for those who broke the rules and grew the sacred seeds. Seeds Amaranth They could not completely destroy it, and the plants continue to grow like weeds.

Amaranth is recognized as a culture of the 21st century by the UN Food Commission for its nutritional and medicinal qualities. All parts of the plant are useful. The name “amaranth” is translated from Greek as “unfading flower.” Otherwise the plant is called: agaricum, aksamitnik, cockscombs, velvet, cat's tail

Amaranth plant represents a whole genus of cultures, completely different in their characteristics. Among them there are weeds, species of obvious decorative purpose with foliage flaming bright colors, no less impressive panicles and “tails” of flowers, and even grains used as food by the inhabitants of Mexico and America. In Russia, decorative ones are much more popular - deciduous, beautifully flowering Amaranth species, and not food ones, because they look very impressive and are grown simply.

Types and varieties of Amaranth

Amaranth Elena Rojo(Elena's Rojo Amaranth) To A bubbly-flowering amaranth from Guatemala, where amaranth has been a staple for many centuries. This grain-type amaranth has recently been revived in the Mayan communities of Baja Verapaz after being nearly lost during the civil war. Named after Helen, the indigenous farmer who was primarily responsible for the restoration of this rare local variety.

Amaranth Pygmy torch(Pygmy Torch Amaranth) This amazing dwarf amaranth offers all the vibrant colors of ornamental amaranth, but at a reasonable size! The cute little plants reach a height of around 90cm, making them ideal for small gardens. Rich crimson flowers offer an unexpected ensemble. Colors green with burgundy leaves and shiny black seeds are edible and delicious!

A grain and ornamental variety that originally grew in Mexico and then spread throughout the world. It is actively grown as a grain crop in equatorial zones: in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Zambia, and Ethiopia. It is found in Australia, where it is used to obtain oil. As an ornamental variety, it is grown in southern Europe, northern Africa, and Australia.

The height of the plant ranges from 170-200 cm. The green part is small, less than 1 m, the stems and leaves have a reddish tint, but the main color is green. The candle is dark burgundy, almost black, erect, dense, reaching 30 cm in height. The grain is light brown, about 5 mm in diameter. Ripens in 80-90 days.

The variety is valued for its high grain yield for equatorial zones - about 35 c/ha. This obviously explains its low popularity in the south of the northern hemisphere, where amaranth often produces a larger yield. The fat content in the “Pygmy Torch” amaranth grain is 8%, the squalene content in the oil is 6-7%. It is practically not used for the production of squalene; it is rarely used for the production of oil; the grain is mainly used for the production of flour, cereals, cereals and similar food products.

Speaking about high-oil amaranth varieties, it is also worth mentioning Amaranthus caudatus mantegazzianus (more than 7% fat) and another variety of caudate amaranth, bred in the USA and grown in Ecuador. The latter contains 9-10% fat and is currently experimental.

Amaranth Opopeo(Opopeo - Amaranth) native to Opopeo, Mexico. Amaranth (Opopeo) is distinguished by its very juicy and tasty bronze-green leaves, which are widely used for making soups and salads. The inflorescences of the plant are spike-shaped, erect, and red. Beautiful, large, red, upright flower spikes and bronze-green foliage make this Mexican heirloom a real knockout in the vegetable garden. Plants reach a height of 50 cm to 2 meters. The leaves are tasty and tender when picked young. Easily grown from seeds.

Amaranth Aurelia Verde (Aurelia's Verde Amaranth) is a light green plant, mainly used for grains rich in vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin E and iron. Amaranth is native to Guatemala. This variety was revived in the Mayan communities of Baja Verapaz after being lost during the civil war, named after Aurelia, the woman whose family revived and saved the seeds of this amaranth.

Amaranth Orange giant(Orange Giant Amaranth) is one of the oldest, but very productive varieties of amaranth. The plant grows up to 2 meters and produces giant golden-orange heads as well as powerful arched golden stems. Amaranth is native to Central and South America. Currently cultivated in America, Europe, Asia, Africa. Breeders have developed zoned varieties of amaranth, adapted to specific cultivation conditions. From the seeds of this plant, flour is obtained that has a characteristic nutty flavor. A beautiful variety that is delicious and productive.

Huge orange spikelets. From one spikelet comes up to 500 grams of grains, which can be used to feed chickens, as well as make Amaranth oil, containing a lot of squalent, which enriches cells with oxygen, helps fight any disease and boost immunity.

Amaranth Golden Giant(Golden Giant Amaranth) universal, productive variety. Its characteristics are identical to the Kharkovsky-1 variety. Plus it has high decorative properties. The attractive golden colored heads produce up to 500 grams of white seed per plant, making it a very heavy producer. Plants grow easily and reach a height of up to 90cm.

Used to obtain grain (light colored seeds). It can also serve as a source of green protein to feed farm animals and poultry. The yield of both seeds and greens is high. The Golden Giant amaranth plant is also suitable as a decorative decoration personal plot, orange-brown panicles will become a bright decoration of the garden and flower garden.

Amaranth Dreadlox(Dreadlocks Amaranth) flowers are an attractive purple-burgundy color. Amaranth Dreadlox is the most unusual variety of amaranth. Instead of erect or drooping inflorescences, it has fancy velvety hanging inflorescences that bloom from mid-summer until frost. If you plant Dreadlox as background to a flowerbed or low mixed border, it will look super decorative, and your guests will not even immediately understand what plant was used. Amaranth looks very expressive. It can also be planted in containers or low flowerpots, as well as cut for bouquets or to create floral compositions. At the same time, Dreadlox is often used as a dried flower.

Dreadlox can be planted directly in open ground in May, when the soil warms up to an average of +10°C. In this case, flowering will begin in July. Or use the seedling method by sowing the seeds in early April. Amaranth seeds are very small, so you will sprout a lot of sprouts at once, which should be weeded periodically, leaving the strongest ones. It is planted in a permanent place according to the 40*40cm pattern. If you want amaranth to grow as strong and tall as possible, then the distance between them needs to be made even greater.

Amaranth Dreadlox prefers a sunny location, protected from the wind. It is unpretentious to soils, although it develops faster on lighter soils. The variety is drought-resistant, although only for a short time. Watering should be regular, but not frequent, so that upper layer the soil had time to dry out. Plant amaranth next to yarrow, asters, iberis, castor beans, geraniums and other similar plants.

Popular green amaranth (Green Calaloo Amaranth) in many countries, including many Caribbean islands, where this plant is famous for Calaloo seafood soup. The light green leaves are great in stews, stir-fries and soups, which have a tangy, spinach-like flavor. Easy to grow in warm weather.

Amaranth Elephant(Elephant Head Amaranth) This plant was brought to the United States from Germany in the 1880s and is so named because the huge flower heads often take on a trunk-like appearance. The plants produce flowers with a reddish-purple color. Bright variety, which is one of the most unique of its kind.

Amaranth Two-color mixture– an excellent option for garden plantings when you don’t want to plant many small plants, but want to get by with one large one. Exotic look amaranth in burgundy and green tones, is perfect for areas that seem empty and you always wanted to plant something interesting there. It is also used for the background of a large low flower bed.

Bicolor Blend amaranth has very strong stems, so they do not bend to the ground even without support. The height of amaranth is 120 cm - 140 cm. Flowering continues until frost, so by planting the plant at the beginning of the season, you no longer have to worry about the appearance of the composition.

Amaranth Two-color mixture is usually immediately planted in open ground in May, when the soil warms up to +8°C +12°C. Flowering will begin from the end of June - beginning of July. However, if you want earlier flowering, you can plant amaranth seedlings about a month before planting in the ground. Since the seeds of the plant are very small, just during the period of development of seedlings in pots, you can remove the weakest shoots. As a result, 1-2 of the strongest seedlings should remain in each pot. Amaranths should be planted keeping the distance between plants. At a minimum, this is 30 cm, but it is better to take 50 cm. After all, for amaranth to grow to the required size, it needs enough space. It is not picky about soils and loves the sun.

- an exquisite fast-growing annual with brightly colored leaves: noble purple, turning into scarlet and golden yellow. The plant is medium-sized (about 60 cm), branched, forming a luxurious bush by the end of summer. It looks super decorative in flower beds, so you should look for a special place for it in the garden. Can be used in discounts, as a background for a miniature flower garden (in warm colors: orange, yellow, purple, pink), in high borders.

Amaranth Illumination tricolor, planted in mid-May, becomes decorative from mid-June until frost. It blooms in July, if planted immediately in open ground, or at the end of June, if it was developed in seedlings. Seedlings are sown in early April. The many sprouts that have emerged are periodically weeded out, leaving the strongest ones. You can also carry out one pick in the phase of 2-3 true leaves. Then in May the sprouts are planted in the ground. Before planting, water the pot with amaranth thoroughly so that the sprout can be better pulled out with a clod of earth. Be as careful as possible with the roots: amaranth has a tap root system, so the main root determines the growth of the entire plant. Plant it slightly obliquely, deepening it down to the first true leaf. In the first month, amaranth Illumination tricolor develops slowly, but then growth will be very rapid.

Amaranth prefers almost any soil, but grows best in light sand and loam. Therefore, if your site has dense soil, add coarse sand before planting. Amaranth is drought-resistant and loves the sun.

Amaranth autumn colors- a mixture of varieties with a luxurious combination of cream and bronze erect inflorescences. Indescribable beauty, especially in the autumn garden, filled with yellow, orange and red colors! Large brushes that look like fluffy fox tails are an excellent autumn decoration that, in addition to the garden itself, can decorate your home. After all, amaranths are great for bouquets and dried flowers.

Amaranth Autumn colors grows less than 1m in height, so it can be planted both in flower beds and in containers. It will fit perfectly into warm colors. Nearby you can grow colchicums, asters, begonias, daisies, and bronze-colored terry lilies.

Amaranths have a taproot system, so they can withstand dry summers without frequent watering. However, if you grow amaranths in seedlings, be very careful when replanting the plants so as not to damage its main root. After all, the health of the entire plant depends on its safety! Amaranth reacts positively to fertilizing, so it is worth resorting to it at least once a season. In addition, as experience shows, flowering with fertilizing lasts longer.

In order for amaranths to develop well in flower beds, they should be provided with enough space: the distance between plants should be on average 40 cm. Also, when the amaranths are not yet too tall, the flower beds should be weeded regularly so that the weeds do not take away water and microelements, which during the period Active growth is so necessary for the plant. Otherwise, care is no different from other flowers.

Amaranth paniculata, or crimson Most often used for decorating flower beds and making bouquets, including winter ones. This is an annual plant with a height of 75 to 150 cm with elongated, ovate, red-brown leaves with a sharp, elongated tip. Small flowers red in color are collected in erect inflorescences. This species blooms in June and blooms until cold weather. In cultivation since 1798, it has several forms: nana - a low-growing form up to 50 cm high, cruentus - with drooping inflorescences of red flowers, sanguineus - vertical inflorescences with hanging ends. Most often, low-growing varieties with a height of 25-40 cm are used in floriculture:

• – Rother Dam And Rother Paris– varieties 50-60 cm high with dark red foliage and dark burgundy flowers;
• – Miniature torch And Grunefakel– varieties up to 35 cm high with purple and dark green inflorescences, respectively;
• – Hot Biscuit- most high grade, reaching a meter in height, with green foliage and red-orange inflorescences.

Amaranth dark or sad- a low-branched variety up to one and a half meters high with oblong-lanceolate pointed leaves of purple or purple-green color and vertical spike-shaped panicles of inflorescences of various colors, but most often dark red. In culture since 1548. There is a blood-red form - sanguineus, with hanging inflorescences.

Varieties:

• Pigmy Torch– amaranth 60 cm in height, the dark purple inflorescences of which turn chestnut in the fall, and the leaves become multi-colored;
• Green Thumb- a variety up to 40 cm high, painted in different emerald tones and often used by phytodesigners when composing dry bouquets.

Amaranth tricolor- an ornamental deciduous plant from 70 cm to one and a half meters high with erect stems forming a pyramidal bush. The leaves of tricolor amaranth are elongated, ovate or narrow, sometimes wavy, colored in combinations of yellow, green and red - young leaves are unusually bright and beautiful. Blooms from June until frost, has several varieties: willow (salicifolius) with narrow, bronze-green wavy leaves up to 20 cm long and half a centimeter wide; red-green (rubriviridis) with leaves of a ruby-violet hue with green spots; red (ruber) with blood-red leaves and bright (splendens), which has dark green leaves with brown spots.

Varieties:

• Amaranth Illumination– a powerful plant up to 70 cm high with spectacular large leaves. Young leaves are red-yellow, and older ones are red-orange, the lower leaves are bronze in color;
• Aurora– this variety has wavy apical leaves of a golden yellow hue;
• Early Splender– the apical leaves are a bright crimson hue, the lower ones are almost black with a purple-green tint.

Amaranth caudate– grows naturally in tropical Africa, Asia and South America. The stems are powerful, erect, up to one and a half meters high. The leaves are large, elongated-ovate, green or purple-green in color. Small dark red, yellowish-green or crimson flowers are collected in spherical balls, which in turn are arranged in long hanging paniculate inflorescences. This species blooms from June to October, in cultivation since 1568. It has several forms: white-flowered - with greenish-white flowers; green - this form with pale green inflorescences is in great demand among florists; bead-shaped - flowers of this shape are collected in a whorl and look like long beads strung on a stem.

Varieties:

• Rotschwanz– with red inflorescences;
• Grunschwantz- with light green inflorescences.

Both varieties reach a height of 75 cm and are powerful bushes that occupy a large space.

In Russia, flower-ornamental, silage and vegetable varieties have been bred and zoned. Vegetables were bred at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Selection and Seed Growing vegetable crops and there are only 3 varieties:

• Valentina;
• Sturdy;
• In memory of Kovas.

Note! Here we are talking only about cultivated species of amaranth. Wild species widespread not only in the world, but throughout the entire territory of our country called Shchiritsa. Only in the Central Russian region 7 species are known, and for example, in the Moscow region there are 3 species of shiritsa.

Amaranth variety Valentina. This is an early ripening food grade, but you will be able to collect the first harvest of greenery no earlier than in 1.5 - 2 months. Valued in everyday life because of wealth useful substances. The plant has a height of 100-170 cm. The seeds of the Valentina amaranth variety have a light red border along the edges. The leaves contain vitamins C, E, and carotene. There is also a whole storehouse of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. This is probably why the Valentina amaranth variety is always present in vegetable gardens - its stems and leaves are added to salads, soups, etc.

Variety Valentina belongs to the early ones, it needs 45 days to produce a ripe crop. Full ripening takes place in 110-120 days. Plants reach a height of 100–170 cm and have shoots on the sides, which are spaced evenly along the entire stem. The leaves resemble an ellipse in appearance, which has a red-violet color. The panicles are straight, of medium density. The yield is low, only 0.6 - 0.7 kg per square meter of seeds.

Amaranth variety Krepysh– an early ripening vegetable variety of amaranth. Plants 110-150 cm high. Inflorescence brown-green, with red spots. Seeds are light, yellow - brown tint. Young shoots and leaves are characterized by increased juiciness and high taste qualities, are used for food in fresh and processed form. The period from germination to consumer ripeness of leaves is 40-80 days. The leaves contain 14-15% high-quality protein. The yield of green mass is 2.5-3 kg/sq.m, dry mass - 0.25-0.3 kg/sq.m. Amaranth greens can be consumed fresh for preparing salads, okroshka, as well as boiled, stewed, dried, added to side dishes, soups, purees, etc. This variety is also capable of producing small amounts of food grain.

Amaranth variety In Memory of Covas– mid-season grain variety of amaranth. The plant is low, only 110 cm in height, decorated with delicate and juicy dark green leaves. Its inflorescences are erect, brown with a red tint, and are highly dense. The yield of this variety is 3.0-4.0 kilograms of seeds per square meter.

Amaranthus (Amaranthus)

Do you like plants that don’t need to be planted, because they themselves do an excellent job of this? Starting in July, the memorial 100-year-old palm alley of the Lower Park of the Nikitsky Arboretum botanical garden decorated with beautiful amaranths, which no one has sown for a long time, but they persistently sprout, grow and bloom every summer. It is interesting that in 1653, the Swedish Queen Christina even established the Order of the Knights of Amaranth, and in America, before the advent of Europeans, amaranths were the second most important food crop after corn.

So what kind of plants are these - amaranths? We again cannot do without a botanical description. Amaranths, or amaranths ( Amaranthus) from the amaranth family of the same name - annual plants with an erect stem 70-150 cm high. The leaves are ovate or elongated-ovate. The flowers are collected in purple-red, dense spike-like paniculate inflorescences 20-50 cm high. They bloom in August-September. The fruits are capsules and ripen in September-October.

As vegetable plants in East Asia they use gangeticus mangostanus. Both in Ukraine and in Russia the following edible and decorative species are most common:

Amaranth paniculata(Amaranthus cruentus paniculatus) is distinguished by its brown-red leaves and drooping or vertical inflorescences with hanging ends. His homeland is unknown.

Decorative varieties:

• Zwergfackel 25-30 cm high, dark red inflorescences;
• Fackel 25-30 cm high, bright green inflorescences;
• Torch dwarf, chestnut inflorescences;
• Roter 80-85 cm high, dark burgundy inflorescences, dark purple leaves.

Amaranth tricolor, Chinese spinach(Amaranthus tricolor) is distinguished by narrower, sometimes wavy leaves of tricolor color (red, yellow and green), especially bright at a young age, and highly branched inflorescences directed upwards. Homeland: Indo-Malayan region.

Decorative varieties:

• Flaming Fountains drooping leaves, carmine-red, dark red, bronze;
• Illumination up to 45 cm high, leaves from oval to elliptical, the upper ones are light pink-red, the lower ones are copper-brown;
• Joseph Coat leaves are oval or elliptical, the upper leaves are golden and dark red, the lower leaves are mixed: green, yellow, chocolate-bronze.
• Viridis inflorescences are green, fading to cream.

Amaranth caudate(Amaranthus caudatus) is distinguished by hanging thin inflorescences similar to tails. Homeland: Tropical Africa, India, Peru.

Due to their large size and dense plant architecture, amaranths are used both in low (dwarf and low-growing varieties) and high borders or as curtain plants. They are good in group plantings, mixborders, in flower beds or against a lawn. They can be used as focal plants (especially red-leaved varieties that stand out throughout the growing season) or accompanying plants.

Amaranths are especially valuable for their late flowering. By this time, cabbage crops remain in the garden, with which the red-leaved forms of amaranth create bright contrasts, and beets, with which they form harmonious combinations.

It is better to sow in nests (3-5 seeds each) with a distance of 20-25 cm between them. Light, fertile soils are preferred.

White list is a low-growing vegetable variety that is excellently grown as indoor plant. By choosing the lightest windowsill for it, you can enjoy the greenery even in winter time. With a growth of twenty centimeters, you can already cut greens, which have excellent taste.

Giant- this variety belongs to forage grain crops. Its distinctive features are snow-white color seeds and yellow (and sometimes red) flowers. The height of the plant lives up to its name - about two meters. The ripening period lasts approximately four months.

Kizlyarets- this variety is grown for grain, which is used as animal feed. The average height of the plant is approximately one and a half meters. The young inflorescence is distinguished by a yellow-green tint, and as it matures it turns into a red panicle. The time for harvesting occurs in approximately one hundred to 120 days.

Helios- early ripening grain variety. The average height is about one meter and sixty centimeters. Harvesting can be done after three and a half months. The plant has its own individual characteristics: seeds – white, leaves – yellow, flowers – orange.

Kharkovsky-1- this is one of many universal varieties, which is considered the best in grain collection. Ripens very quickly - in about three months. The height of the plant is approaching the two-meter mark. It blooms with yellow inflorescences, has large dark green leaves and white seeds.

Voronezh- this variety early dates ripening is grown for grain. Harvesting takes place 3 months after emergence. The plant is small in height - about 1 meter.

Note! By the color of the seeds, you can determine the variety: light ones are vegetables and grains, and dark ones are decorative.

Growing and caring for the plant

Amaranth grows easily. Plants are best grown in moist, well-drained soil. Can be planted in rows or used as a natural trellis for beans or used in place of corn in the garden.

Amaranth is an annual plant from the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). The stem of vegetable varieties can reach a height of more than 3 meters depending on the variety. The entire length is covered with green succulent leaves (up to 200 pieces per plant) on numerous branches-stepchildren. The apex ends in a complex spike-shaped inflorescence (straight or drooping panicle). Forage or vegetable varieties have a long growing season and, in the conditions of the Non-Black Earth Region, grow only green mass and practically do not bloom. Amaranth seeds are small (about 1.4 mm), shiny, black, pinkish, yellow or greenish in color. This plant is drought-resistant, heat- and light-loving, self-pollinating and the ability to maintain fresh look inflorescences, it was respectfully nicknamed “here”, and translated from Greek “amaranthos” means an unfading flower. Amaranth flowers can decorate your home all winter.

It is an excellent sederat, significantly improves soil fertility, stimulating the activity of microorganisms that contribute to its enrichment with nitrogen. Amaranth produces good harvests after potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, legumes and green vegetables. The growing season, depending on conditions, is 90 - 150 days. Sowing is carried out with seeds at the end of May when the soil warms up to 10-12 degrees.

Helpful advice! To get an early seed and be guaranteed to provide yourself with seeds, it is better to grow seedlings. To do this, seeds for seedlings are sown in the second half of April (about a month before planting in open ground).

Video: landing of Amarat

The potting method is used to grow seedlings. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place after the threat of frost. If they occur, the plants must be covered. It has been noticed that young plants can easily tolerate replanting with damaged roots, but, naturally, it is better not to do this and replant seedlings with a clod of earth. For a family of 3-4 people, it is enough to grow 7-10 plants. Before sowing, add a garden mineral mixture (30 g per 1 square meter) or complex fertilizers in accordance with the instructions for their use.

Before sowing, level the soil surface. The seeding rate is 15 grams per hundred square meters, i.e. 100 grams of seeds is enough to sow 6 acres (seed germination rate is 85%.).

Sowing scheme:

• For greens - 20-25 cm between plants in a row, 60-70 cm between rows;
• for seeds - 50-60 cm and 60-70 cm, respectively.

Planting depth is 1-1.5 cm.

To distribute the seeds more evenly before sowing, they are mixed with sawdust or coarse river sand. After sowing, it is better to roll the soil. Shoots appear on 7-8 days.

Plants sown directly into the ground develop very slowly, so careful weeding is required in the first month. Subsequently, growth accelerates so that amaranth grows from 5 to 7 cm per day (fantastic!) and is itself capable of suppressing weeds around you.

Watering is carried out regularly, especially after sowing and during the period of initial growth.

Fertilizing is carried out 3-4 times per season with a solution of mullein (1:5) and ash (dilute 200 g per 10 liters of water).

Video: Amaranth plant, cultivation and care

The agricultural technology for growing amaranth for seeds is no different from the agricultural technology for growing it for greens. To obtain seeds, select several of the most strong plants. The leaves are not cut off from them. Harvesting time is determined by redness, drying and falling of the lower leaves and a change in the color of the stem from green to light and whitish. The ripening of crimson species is also characterized by the cream color of the leaves.

Note! If small birds start collecting Amaranth seeds, this is a good indicator that it is time to harvest :)!

Cleaning is carried out in dry weather. The seeds are collected starting from the lower panicles of the inflorescence. They easily fall out of the inflorescences, so the panicles are cut off slightly unripe and dried. The panicles are rubbed by hand and sifted through a fine sieve. One plant can produce up to half a million seeds, and the weight of one panicle can reach a kilogram or more. Seed germination lasts for 4-5 years.

Note! Amaranth seeds remain viable 5-7 years after harvest.

Features of amaranth vegetation

The plant is heat-loving, drought-resistant, but at the same time sufficient moisture in the first half of the growing season contributes to the greatest yield of both grain and green mass.

This crop is not very demanding on soil fertility - it grows even on salted soils and, according to some data, has the property of clearing salt from the soil.

Regions with hot, long summers are more suitable for obtaining grain. Wet weather with sufficient precipitation is favorable for obtaining green mass.

The period of growth and development of plants of this crop, depending on the variety, is 90-130 days.

One plant produces up to 500 thousand (about 300 grams) seeds from one specimen. This property puts amaranth in first place in terms of its ability to reproduce among agricultural crops. Amaranth seeds remain viable for up to 5 years.

This allows you to propagate amaranth seed from one hundred square meters to several hectares in one season.

Note! When breeding The ability of amaranth to cross-pollinate varieties should be taken into account.

How and when to collect amaranth seeds

If you want to collect amaranth seeds, select a few of the strongest plants and do not cut off the leaves. As soon as the lower leaves on the amaranth turn red, dry out and fall off, and the stem of the plant turns whitish, choose a dry, fine day, cut the inflorescences from the selected specimens, starting from the bottom of the stem, and place them to dry in a well-ventilated, dry room.

After a couple of weeks, when you rub the dried panicles with your hands, the mature seeds easily fall out of the boxes, then all that remains is to sift them through a fine sieve and store them in a box or paper bag. Amaranth seeds do not lose their viability for about five years.

Pests and diseases of amaranth

The amaranth plant is very resistant to pests and diseases. However, sometimes it is also affected by aphids or weevils and can be unpleasant for amaranth when the seedlings are still young and tender. Weevil larvae develop in plant stems, stunting their growth. Aphids can harm amaranth only at the beginning of its life, and, as a rule, this happens in a damp, rainy summer. Aphids are exterminated by treating amaranth with actellik or fufanon (karbofos). These same drugs give good result and in the fight against weevils.

Helpful advice! Cover young seedlings with a floating cover until the plants reach 20-40 cm in height and better cope with insect damage

If too much moisture accumulates in the soil, amaranth can develop fungal diseases, which can be treated by spraying the plants with fungicides - colloidal sulfur, copper sulfate, copper oxychloride and other similar preparations.

Keep an eye on weeding around young seedlings. Once the plants are well established, they will be able to compete with weeds.

Amaranth plant in the food industry

Amaranth grain is widely used throughout the world in Food Industry- in the production of bakery products, confectionery products, pasta, bread, baby food, cereal, popcorn, breakfast cereals, gingerbread, cookies and so on.

Amaranth grain is often used in the form of cereals for making porridges and as a basis for producing food sprouts. Amaranth products are in high demand and cost.

Compared to common cereal crops, amaranth grain has a number of advantages.

Traditional grain crops contain no more than 13% protein, and amaranth grain contains 18%. In addition, more than half of this amount of protein consists of useful amino acids - albumin and globulins, which are easily digestible.

Amaranth contains a lot of alkali-soluble proteins - glutenins, which gives amaranth grain products the ability to saturate the body with proteins. In terms of the content of the essential amino acid lysine, amaranth is 2 times higher than wheat and 3 times higher than corn.

If the ideal protein is taken to be 100 units, then the nutritional value according to the quality of the proteins included in the composition, it is distributed as follows:

• 1st place amaranth – 75 units;
• 2nd place soybean – 68 units;
• 3rd place barley – 62 units;
• 4th place wheat – 57 units;
• 5th place corn - 44 units.

How to use Amaranth

The seeds should be washed before cooking. Note that these are very small seeds and will fit through the holes of the finest sieve. You can also use fabric, as long as the holes are tiny. Then pour the seeds cold water twice their volume and cook, covered, for about twenty minutes. Boiled seeds have a sticky consistency. You can simply add some seeds to your soups, casseroles, pies, or make porridge mixed with other grains or legumes, adding them halfway through. The texture makes amaranth an interesting gelling herbal ingredient for cakes, snacks, creams and puddings.

Flour and cereals from seeds are used as valuable food additives (up to 20%) in the production of dietary food products:

• bakery;
• pasta;
• confectionery products;
• baby food.

When it is added to wheat flour (10%), baked bread and pastries acquire healing properties and they don’t go stale for a long time. Already now in different countries More than thirty types of amaranth-containing food products are produced worldwide:

• vermicelli;
• pasta;
• sauces;
• chips;
• biscuits;
• cupcakes;
• waffles;
• cookie;
• soft drinks and beer.

And this, in essence, is only the beginning of the great procession across the planet of the “golden grain of God,” called, according to N.I. Vavilov, to feed humanity. There is no doubt about one thing - amaranth simply must be included in our daily diet!

Young leaves taste similar to spinach. They are consumed fresh, dried and canned. They are used in salads, soups, meat and fish dishes, in the preparation of sauces, casseroles, as a filling for pies, teas are brewed and added to compotes, healing juice is obtained and syrups are made from it. Amaranth greens are prepared for future use by drying and freezing. You can also prepare a couple of jars of amaranth sauerkraut.

The seeds, first of all, are a source of oil with wonderful properties, more valuable than sea buckthorn. They can be eaten fried. When heated, the grains crack and acquire a pleasant nutty taste. Fried and raw, they are added to casseroles, pancakes, puddings, cakes, and baked goods.

It’s not at all difficult to invent salads with amaranth yourself, since it goes well with any salad vegetables. We can say that “you can’t ruin a salad with amaranth.” With traditional spring vitamin deficiency, any dishes and drinks with this extraordinary greenery will help to quickly eliminate vitamin deficiency.

Several recipes for amaranth dishes

Salad:

200 g of amaranth leaves and 200 g of nettle leaves, 50 g of wild garlic leaves (can be replaced with young leaves winter garlic) pour boiling water over, chop, salt, season vegetable oil or sour cream.

Add 400 grams of amaranth leaves and 100 grams of sorrel leaves to 500 ml of meat or chicken broth with boiled potatoes (before immersing the leaves in boiling water for 3 minutes); cook for 10 minutes, remove from heat, break 2 raw eggs, lightly beat and pour into the broth, stirring continuously; When serving, add sour cream to taste.

Sauce:

In a deep bowl, bring 300 g of cream to a boil, put 200 g of finely chopped young leaves into the cream; Add 100 g of grated soft cheese and 5 g of ground black pepper to the hot mixture, put it back on low heat, stir until the cheese is completely melted.

Cutlets:

Fry 50 g of seeds, make a puree from boiled potatoes(100 g) and peas (100 g), grate carrots (50 g) on ​​a fine grater; mix all products thoroughly with the addition of 2 raw eggs; Make small cutlets, roll them in breadcrumbs or flour, fry in vegetable oil.

Green cutlets:

Prepare minced meat from 200 g of blanched amaranth leaves (dip in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, chop), 50 g of grated mild cheese with a clove of garlic and 50 g of white bread pulp, 2 tablespoons of wheat flour; add 2 raw eggs, ground black pepper and salt to taste to the minced meat; if necessary, dilute with a small amount of cream; Roll the cutlets in breadcrumbs and fry on olive oil.

Beats:

Prepare minced meat from 200 g of fried amaranth seeds or flour, 150 g of minced meat (beef, poultry), 2 eggs, salt to taste; roll the formed meatballs in wheat flour, lightly fry on high fire. Stew in tomato sauce with fried onions and carrots.

Tea:

Brew a tablespoon of fresh or dried leaves and flowers (can be replaced with ground seeds) and half a teaspoon of lemon balm or mint with 100 g of water heated to 70 degrees; hold in a closed container for 5-7 minutes, add boiling water to 200 g; sugar or honey - to taste.

Personally, I drink tea from amaranth and Ivan tea every day: 800 ml of boiling water (the capacity of a thermos with glass flask) add 2 tsp. dried and crushed amaranth leaves (Valentina variety) and 1 tsp. Koporye tea. I recommend adding not sugar, but a little honey (0.5 tsp per 150 ml of tea). The result is a truly delicious drink that also has a whole bunch of health benefits.

Drink "Cheerfulness":

4-5 large ripe tomatoes rub through a sieve (first remove the skin). Pour a glass of sour into the resulting puree bread kvass or fermented milk drink Tan (Ayran, Kumis), add 7-8 crushed amaranth leaves, a quarter of a dessert spoon of ground black pepper. Beat the mixture until smooth. The drink is ready to drink. It is especially recommended for the male population as a folk “green Viagra”.

Amaranth grain

Amaranth seeds have exceptional nutritional value: they contain lysine, an essential amino acid for humans and are not found in most grains, they are richer in protein than grains and these proteins are much better.

• calcium;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• copper;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• selenium and phosphorus.

Amaranth seeds contain lecithin, which is beneficial for the nervous system and brain. Its fats consist of 70% polyunsaturated fats, which makes it good for memory, good immunity and helps us fight inflammation. The seeds are high in fiber and do not contain gluten. Therefore, all amaranth products can be used in the diet.

The nutritional value of amaranth is indispensable for pregnant women, vegetarians, the elderly and children.

Note! Amaranth seeds, which have a dark shell, contain small amounts of toxic substances. Based on this fact, for food and medicinal purposes, in most cases, only varieties with light colored seeds are suitable.

Grains different varieties amaranth, may differ somewhat from each other not only in appearance (size, color), but also in the content of certain substances in them - squalene, starch, fatty acids and others. Grain size ranges from 0.8 to 1.3 mm.

The green part of the amaranth plant

Fresh, young amaranth greens also have beneficial, nutritious and medicinal properties, since the leaves of most varieties are rich in vitamins C, E, carotene, minerals– potassium, calcium, phosphorus, as well as magnesium, iron, proteins and amino acids.

The aerial part of some amaranth varieties contains biologically valuable active compounds– betacyanin pigments, namely the red-violet pigment – ​​amaranthine.

Leaves of such varieties as the vegetable variety Valentina (bright burgundy color) are the raw material for the production of healing herbal teas that saturate the body with vitamins and microelements, as well as food coloring. In their raw form, the leaves of vegetable amaranth varieties are used in salads, soups and other dishes. The presence of bitterness in the leaves of non-vegetable varieties makes it difficult to use them in cooking.

Amaranth as animal feed

Amaranth leaves and stems contain relatively a lot of high-quality protein. This makes it highly effective to use the green mass of this plant as feed in livestock farming. For these purposes, greens are used in fresh or processed form (silage, granules, grass meal), as well as in dried form (hay).

The grain can accordingly also be used in feeding poultry. At the same time, the egg production of laying hens increases, the growth of chickens accelerates, and the production of poultry meat increases. Amaranth grain is of particular interest as food for growing small birds (quails, parrots and other small birds).

The green mass of amaranth is a protein-rich feed for cattle and pigs, which gives a significant gain in raising beef stock, as well as in milk production. The vegetative mass of amaranth contains 1.8 times more protein and 3 times more lysine than corn. In terms of amino acid composition, the protein of amaranth leaves is one of the best for animals.

Granulated flour from amaranth leaves has a high protein content - up to 20% and can be successfully used in poultry farming, various types livestock and fish farming.

In production green feed of amaranth, excessive use should be avoided mineral fertilizers when growing plants.

Medicinal properties and contraindications of amaranth

Amaranth grains contain up to 16% protein; they contain the same amount of lysine as in whole cow's milk. The Japanese compare the nutritional value of its greens with squid meat. The Chinese use it to slow down aging. In Ancient Greece, it was a symbol of eternal life. The Incas and Aztecs recognized axamite as a sacred plant; it was used for magical rituals, used as a food product, and used to treat various diseases.

The plant contains vitamins and bioactive substances - rutin, amaranthine, vitamins C, E, group B, due to the influence of which it exhibits antioxidant properties. Traditional medicine Aksamitnik is used to treat:

• inflammatory processes;
• diseases of the urinary system;
• disorders of the digestive tract, including peptic ulcers;
• diabetes mellitus;
• dermatological diseases;
• anemia;
• hypertension;
• angina pectoris;
• atherosclerosis;
• obesity;
• vitamin deficiency

Besides Amaranth plant has regenerating properties, has a rejuvenating effect, strengthens the immune system, cleanses the body of toxins, helps increase hemoglobin content and the number of red blood cells.

Amaranth oil is considered especially valuable; it contains about 8% squalene, a powerful antioxidant.

Its healing properties:

• cell regeneration, saturation with oxygen;
• slowing down the aging process;
• maintaining fluid balance, moisturizing the skin;
• strengthening the immune system;
• preventing the formation of cancer cells.

Amaranth also contains other components beneficial to the body:

• xanthines;
• serotonin;
• pantothenic acid;
• steroids;
• choline

Use of Amaranth for treatment

For the overall health of the body, it is recommended to eat axamite sprouts. The seeds of the plant have a tendency to sour; to avoid this, you need to use boiled water. The emerging greens should be irrigated with water and soda at the rate of 1 tsp. soda per 1.5 liters of boiled water. Cat's tail sprouts are useful in oncology to prevent the spread of carcinogenic and metastatic processes.

Amaranth oil is effective in radiation therapy. If you apply it to the tumor area, you can increase the degree of radiation without the risk of getting a burn. Taking the oil internally helps the body recover from chemotherapy or radiotherapy. You should take 1-3 tsp orally. oil per day half an hour before meals. You can add it to food.

Decoction. Brew 0.5 liters of boiling water 2 tbsp. l. dried raw materials (you can use leaves, flowers, roots), boil over low heat for 15 minutes, cool, then strain. You need to drink 120 ml of the decoction 30 minutes before meals.

Cold infusion. Pour dry amaranth leaves or flowers with cold water at the rate of 1 part raw material - 10 parts water. After 20 minutes, the infusion should be filtered, and in case of digestive tract disorders, drink 120 ml before meals.

Infusion of fresh Amaranth leaves. Finely chop 20 g of leaves, brew 200 ml of boiling water, and heat in a water bath for 30 minutes. The cooled infusion should be filtered, drink 80 ml before meals three times a day. This remedy helps get rid of stomach pain.

Infusion for the treatment of enuresis. Pour 250 ml boiling water 1 tbsp. l. Heat panicles with seeds, previously crushed, in a water bath for about 20 minutes, leave until cool. You need to drink 60 ml of the medicine 30 minutes before meals and immediately before bed for 2 weeks.

A decoction for rejuvenation and removal of toxins from the body. It is necessary to prepare a herbal mixture of acorn, mint, nettle, St. John's wort, chamomile, birch buds, taken in equal amount. Pour 500 ml of boiling water 2 tbsp. l. crushed raw materials, leave for 3 hours. At night, drink 250 ml of strained broth, adding 1 tsp. honey The remaining broth should be drunk half an hour before breakfast, after heating it in a steam bath. A course of treatment will require about 500 g of the collection; it is recommended to carry it out once every 2 years.

Amaranth in cosmetology

Thanks to its healing and rejuvenating effects, Amaranth is also used in cosmetology, having a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair, and nails. Cosmetics made from Amaranth refresh, moisturize and nourish the skin.

1. Lotion. You can use freshly squeezed plant juice as a facial lotion. You can prepare an infusion and wipe your face with it morning and evening: 1 tbsp. l. dried herb, brew 250 ml of boiling water, strain after 1.5 hours.
2. Mask for oily skin. Grind the greens of the plant and oatmeal, stir well, apply to the face, rinse after 20 minutes. After the mask, it is recommended to apply a napkin soaked in chilled amaranth infusion to your face and hold for 5 minutes.
3. Mask for dry skin. Stir until smooth 2 tbsp. l. amaranth juice, 3 drops of amaranth oil, 1 yolk, 1 tsp. sour cream. Apply the resulting mass to the skin for 15-20 minutes, rinse with water at room temperature.
4. Refreshing mask. Mix 2 tbsp. l. fresh Aksamitnik juice with the same amount of sour cream. The mixture should be applied in a thin layer to the face, neck, and décolleté area, and washed off after 15 minutes. The mask is suitable for any skin.
5. Compress for the skin of the eyelids. Grind the Amaranth greens, apply to the eyes, and cover with damp cotton pads. Leave for 15 minutes, then wash with cool water. It is recommended to carry out procedures 2 times a week.
6. Compress for the neck and décolleté. Grind the amaranth greens, add a little warm milk, stir. Spread the mixture evenly over a napkin and apply it to the neck and décolleté. You need to keep this compress for about 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
7. Decoction for rinsing hair. Brew 1 liter of boiling water with 3 tbsp in a thermos. l. dried crushed leaves or 6-8 fresh leaves, leave for a day. Before use, you need to dilute the decoction with water in a 1:1 ratio. This product should be used for rinsing 2 times a week.

Side effects and contraindications

The use of amaranth oil may cause nausea and dizziness. Usually these symptoms appear in the first days of treatment and then disappear. Amaranth oil has no absolute contraindications, but for some diseases it should be used with caution.

• cholecystitis;
• pancreatitis;
• the presence of stones in the kidneys and gall bladder;
• gluten-sensitive celiac disease.

How to use amaranth leaves for cooking medicinal products no contraindications were identified. But individual intolerance to them is possible. The use of any preparations from amaranth in small quantities safely.

Thanks to all of the above features, amaranth remains an interesting and promising crop for many sectors of human economic activity.

Video: Everything about growing Amaranth, from sowing to harvesting