Our ancestors considered this bright exotic plant a symbol of immortality. They baked bread from amaranth flour, which, according to beliefs, gave health and long life. Nowadays, amaranth (it is also called shiritsa) is used as a decorative culture and animal feed. Let's find out about the undeservedly forgotten beneficial properties and the use of amaranth in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.

The chemical composition, vitamins and minerals of amaranth

The source of immortality, as the ancient Aztecs called this plant, has a unique composition of nutrients, thanks to which it positively affects our body. It is especially worth noting the high content of easily digestible protein in the grains of this crop, which puts amaranth one step higher than even the most popular wheat in agriculture.

Amaranth has a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to human health.

The complex of nutrients contained in the plant is impressive:

  • vitamins - thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, carotene, pyridoxine, ascorbic, folic and pantothenic acids, tocopherol, choline;
  • minerals - potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, copper, selenium, calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese;
  • polyunsaturated fatty acids;
  • sterols;
  • amartin;
  • glutamine, histidine;
  • flavonoids;
  • aspartic acid, lysine;
  • starch and dietary fiber.

In the grains of the plant is a unique substance squalene, which can saturate the skin and internal tissues of the body with oxygen, improve overall well-being and increase immunity.

The plant also contains water, fiber, ash, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.Shiritsa has 360 kcal per 100 grams.

Useful and medicinal properties of the plant

Due to its unique properties, amaranth is used in various fields.

The plant has found application in various fields:

  • perfumes;
  • official and traditional medicine;
  • pharmaceuticals;
  • Cooking
  • for feeding animals;
  • cosmetology;
  • as a decorative decoration of the landscape.

The special composition of amaranth allows it to be considered an effective healing agent against various diseases.

The plant has the following properties:

  • nutritious;
  • anti-inflammatory;
  • antibacterial;
  • restorative;
  • hemostatic;
  • hematoma;
  • antitumor.

Thanks to them, shiritsa is used by healers in such diseases and conditions:

  • exhaustion;
  • anemia, vitamin deficiency;
  • obesity;
  • atherosclerosis and disorders of the cardiovascular system;
  • cancerous growths;
  • hemorrhoids;
  • genitourinary tract inflammation, enuresis;
  • neurosis;
  • phlebeurysm;
  • skin diseases;
  • prostate adenoma in men;
  • gastric ulcer, gastritis;
  • chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma;
  • intestinal colic, constipation;
  • pathology of the liver and kidneys;
  • high cholesterol;
  • stomatitis, periodontitis;
  • burns, insect bites, herpes;
  • diabetes.

Amaranth leaf and seed preparations are intended for internal and external use. They strengthen the body, help withstand various infections, give strength and energy.

What are the seeds and leaves of amaranth?

Shiritsa leaves are used for cooking, which supply unique compounds to the body that promote growth, development and human health.

Both leaves and seeds of the plant are used for food.

So, the substances contained in the leaves of the plant:

  • normalize the hormonal background;
  • eliminate pain of various origins;
  • improve the state during fever, eliminate fever;
  • increase resistance to infections;
  • strengthens blood vessels;
  • contribute to increased potency;
  • normalize the respiratory system;
  • improve the condition of the skin.

An extract from the leaves is suitable for children from 2 years old. Juice strengthens the immunity of the child and contributes to the normal development of all systems.

Amaranth seeds are used for the production of flour and starch, oil and bran.

These products:

  • normalize sugar and cholesterol;
  • accelerate metabolic processes;
  • improve intestinal motility;
  • stimulate the functionality of the liver and kidneys;
  • improve the functioning of the nervous system;
  • normalize blood pressure.

People's advice:beets: benefits and harms

Application in traditional medicine

Healers use the healing properties of shiritsa to improve the patient's condition with various diseases. There are many recipes using the seeds and leaves of this plant.

Amaranth is able to fight various diseases.
  1. To strengthen immunity during seasonal diseases, it is useful to take a tincture of alcohol-based leaves. To prepare the potion, you need to pour 200 g of dry raw materials into a glass of vodka. Insist the composition should be in a dark place for 7 to 8 days. It is necessary to use the drug 10 drops three times a day, adding it to tea.
  2. Various skin diseases successfully eliminates the course of healing baths. For 500 g of dry leaves and seeds, take 2 liters of boiled water. It should be allowed to cool slightly, then lower your hands or feet into it for 15 to 20 minutes. Also, if you wash your face with such a tool, you can slow down aging, eliminate small wrinkles and give the skin a radiance.
  3. Water tincture of shredded leaves of thyroid will improve the functioning of the kidneys and liver. To prepare the product, you need to pour 15 g of raw materials with a liter of boiling water, let it brew for 10 - 15 minutes, and then strain. The tincture is very sweet, you can dilute its taste with lemon juice. It is necessary to use the drug three times a day for 15 ml, the course of treatment is 10-14 days.
  4. The germinated seeds of this unique plant have anti-cancer properties. Cancer patients can take them 2 hours before meals or after chemotherapy.

Amaranth flour

If you grind the seeds, you get a very useful flour, the popularity of which is growing in our time. It does not contain gluten, and therefore gluten-free bread is obtained from such flour, which does not cause allergies, improves digestion, removes toxins and promotes intestinal motility.

Various baking is prepared from amaranth flour.

Different types of baking are also obtained from flour - waffles, cookies, pancakes, muffins. In many countries, this product is included in infant formula.

Amaranth seed oil

All useful substances of shiritsa are in high concentration in its oil. The product is used by cooks to prepare tasty and healthy dishes, and in medicine and cosmetology - to improve the general condition of the body.

An extract from freshly picked seeds is a unique preparation for burns, insect bites, and blackheads. It accelerates wound healing, eliminates dermatological problems, and promotes tissue regeneration.

The benefits and harms of amaranth oil are not yet fully understood. But folk medicine men especially appreciate the ability of a remedy to regenerate damaged tissues.

In addition, amaranth oil:

  • eliminates gynecological diseases;
  • normalizes the liver;
  • relieves inflammation of the joints;
  • eliminates sore throat;
  • improves the digestive tract;
  • struggles with edema, tumors;
  • improves eyesight;
  • saturates cells with oxygen.

Shiritsa oil promotes body rejuvenation It has long been noticed that regular use of this product in food reduces the appearance of gray hair, improves skin condition, strengthens memory, fills the body with energy and gives a good mood.

Contraindications and possible harm

The healing properties of a plant may not be fully revealed if a person has an individual intolerance to this product. An allergy to amaranth funds is very rare, but not excluded.

People with a tendency to indigestion should take into account that the use of amaranth oil in food can have a laxative effect.

Relative contraindications requiring careful use of the plant are:

  • chronic pathologies of the pancreas;
  • accumulation of bad cholesterol in the body;
  • gallstones and kidney stones;
  • chronic pancreatitis;
  • duodenal ulcer;
  • celiac disease.

In other cases, the proper use of healthy shiritsa will strengthen the body, give youth, beauty and health.

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