(Roxb.) Boivin
Family: Mimosaceae.
Habitat: Throughout southern India in dry forests, up to 900 m, and in some parts of Madhya Pradesh.
Ayurvedic: Shirish (bark—grey or greenish).
Siddha/Tamil: Thuringil.
Action: Leaf and flower—anti- inflammatory, used for boils and ulcers. Leaf—used for erysipelas. Seeds—astringent, antidiarrhoeal, antibacterial.
The seed extract showed DNA binding activity, which has been found to be due to pithecolibine alkaloids, bud- munchiamines. Budmunchiamines are antibacterial, and they inhibit platelet aggregation and human lymphocyte transformation. They also show anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity.The leaves contain prodelphinidins, myricitrin, hyperin, quercitrin, trans- p-coumaric acid, cis-p-coumaric acid and trans-ferulic acid.The seeds contain echinocystic acid and taxifolin-3-O-beta-D xylopyrano- syl-beta-D-arbinopyranoside.The oil from the seeds is said to cure leprosy and leucoderma.
Amaranthus speciesDescription: These plants, which grow 90 centimeters to 150 centimeters tall, are abundant weeds in many parts of the world. All amaranth have alternate simple leaves. They may have some red color present on the stems. They bear minute, greenish flowers in dense clusters at the top of the plants. Their seeds may be brown or black in weedy species and light-colored in domestic species.Habitat and Distribution: Look for amaranth along roadsides, in disturbed waste areas, or as weeds in crops throughout the world. Some amaranth species have been grown as a grain crop and a garden vegetable in various parts of the world, especially in South America.Edible Parts: All parts are edible, but some may have sharp spines you should remove before eating. The young plants or the growing tips of alder plants are an excellent vegetable. Simply boil the young plants or eat them raw. Their seeds are very nutritious. Shake the tops of alder plants to get the seeds. Eat the seeds raw, boiled, ground into flour, or popped like popcorn.... amaranth
(Latin) A flower that never fades Amarante, Amarantha, Amantha, Amaranda, Amaranthe, Amaranth, Amare... amaranta
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