Althaea officinalis L. Amaranth family – Amaranthaceae
Botanical characteristics
Annual herbaceous plant up to 1 m tall. It grows everywhere, as a weed, in crops, orchards, orchards, in vacant lots, and along roads.
The root extends and penetrates far into the depths. The stem is straight, branched, pubescent. The leaves are alternate, ovate-rhombic, elongated into a petiole at the base, with a notch at the apex. The fruit is lenticular black. Blooms from June to September. Fruits until late autumn.
Several species grow. The most common ones are:
- Shchiritsa thrown back– A. retroflorum – pinkish-green plant, flower-bearing branches are collected in a compact panicle;
- Schiritsa tailed– A. cordatus – with purple hanging panicles.
All types of agaric are medicinal, but the most healing properties possesses the tailed acorn.
Plant parts used
All parts of the plant serve as medicinal raw materials. Raw materials are collected during the entire growing season of the plant: leaves - before flowering; flower panicles - during flowering; seeds - as they ripen; roots - in autumn.
Amaranth as a valuable food crop attracts attention all over the world. In the USA, the Amaranth Institute and research centers are studying this crop and introducing it into the food industry. This is explained by the fact that the plant contains a large amount of biologically active substances, mainly in the seeds from which amaranth oil is obtained.
Chemical composition
All parts of the plant contain nitrogen-containing compounds, betacyanidins: amaranthine, betanin, organic acids, vitamins, dyes, microelements.
In addition, amaranth seeds contain a large set of amino acids, including essential ones, as well as protein with a high protein content (up to 18%). The protein of amaranth seeds is equated to the protein of human milk. By nutritional value Amaranth protein is significantly superior to cow's milk protein and almost 1.5 times greater than soy protein.
Amaranth seed oil contains a large set of unsaturated acids and organic acids. The main component of the seeds is squalene (more than 8%). Squalene is a component of human skin and is directly involved in the oxygen exchange of tissues and organs, protects the body from radiation, and ensures the body's resistance to various diseases.
Application and medicinal properties
In the experiment, aqueous extracts of the aerial part of amaranth have bactericidal, protistocidal and diuretic effects. Fatty oil has anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and antifungal effects. A decoction of the roots is effective in the treatment of jaundice and guinea worm. Fresh juice and infusion exhibit antitumor activity.
IN folk medicine amaranth in the form of infusions and decoctions is used in the treatment of tumors of various etiologies and localizations internally and externally; for the treatment of fungal diseases, as a hemostatic agent for various bleedings, for liver and heart disease, gastrointestinal infections; externally - for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, erosions, endometriosis, colpitis.
A decoction of roots and seeds is used for dysentery; in the form of baths - with various diseases skin, allergies, diathesis, rashes, often with string and chamomile.
Fresh juice in a 1:5 dilution is used to rinse the mouth, for inflammation of the mucous membranes. The juice of a flowering plant is an effective, rejuvenating, cosmetic product that strengthens hair roots and promotes their growth.
The oil is used for burns, bedsores, insect bites, and scars.
Young leaves are eaten; seeds - as a seasoning for dishes.
Preparation
- For decoction take 15 g of roots or aerial parts, chop, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, filter. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meals.
- For getting infusion take 20 g of leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cool for 45 minutes, filter. Take 2-3 times a day, 1/3 cup before meals.
- For bath take 300-400 g of raw material, pour in 2 liters of boiling water, boil in a saucepan for 15 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, filter and add to 1/2 bath 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes.
In gardens, vegetable gardens and on the roadsides, the common - malicious quarantine weed - is very common. Shchiritsa can be found throughout Russia.
Amaranth is also called rubella, beetroot, and amaranth, as it belongs to the amaranth family.
Amaranth means “eternal” in Greek. It has been known as a weed in our country for more than a hundred years. The plant came to our country from America, thanks to the development of aircraft manufacturing.
The homeland of agaric is South America. The largest population of varieties of this plant grows there. From here it came to North America, then to India and China, where it grows wild, but is now being grown there decorative types this plant.
With the help of the Spanish conquerors, amaranth seeds came to Europe. There it was grown as an ornamental plant, and over time as a fodder and cereal crop.
In general, for several thousand years, agaric has been of great importance in the life of the peoples of South and Central America. There it was grown as a grain crop along with legumes and was called “Inca bread”, “Aztec wheat”.
Young leaves of acorn grass resemble, so they are used for preparing salads and some hot dishes. Dried leaves can also be used for food.
Shchiritsa is used for grazing animals, green feeding, and it is used to make silage, which smells like apples. Acorn seed is a nutritious feed for poultry.
This plant came to our country in the mid-19th century. She immediately began to be considered a malicious weed, despite all her apparent beneficial features.
Shchiritsa is an annual tall plant with a straight trunk, reaching a height of 20 to 130 cm, with a highly branched bush with a purple-green color. The top is covered with fine hairs.
Its fertility is enormous (up to half a million seeds per plant). At the beginning of development, young shoots of acorn grass have a smell and a reddish color, which is why one of the names of this weed is beetroot.
The plant is pollinated by the wind, as a result of which the formation of seeds is not dependent on insects that pollinate the plant.
The inflorescences of acorn grass look like a large straight panicle. The panicle contains seeds (most often black and shiny, very small). The acorn grass reproduces only by seeds.
The seeds begin to ripen in the second half of summer, the end of ripening comes with frost. The abundantly fruiting weed litters the soil abundantly. About 1000 seedlings can appear per 1 m2 of land. Just 10 to 12 plants are enough to infest a hectare of land.
Shchiritsa tolerates dry times very well and can easily adapt to different soils, so fighting it requires patience and methodicalness.
Amaranth constant companion, melons and other melons, potato crops and vegetable plants, so you need to take care of them in a timely manner cultivated plants. When fighting acorn grass, you need to start digging up your garden or deep plowing in the fall.
In addition to weeds, other garden pests also cause no less trouble for gardeners.
To be fair, it is worth noting that amaranth, also known as amaranth, is popular among supporters of vegetarianism, raw food diet and healthy image life is very popular. There they eat it with pleasure.
Read Vegetable Garden Affairs and collect rich harvests from your plot.
Among the many weeds, we can mention acorn grass, which is quite common in our area. How does she look? What do you need to get rid of weeds in your garden? Despite her medicinal properties, it has no place in the garden.
Description of the weed
Shchiritsa, its other name is amaranth. Compared to pulling out other weeds such as dandelions and quinoa, upturned acorn grass is quite difficult to remove. This herb was brought to China, India, and Europe from South America more than a century ago. Under natural conditions, the grass was torn and eaten by the aborigines. The grass is also called “Inca bread” because its small seeds were ground and used as flour. In Spain, the flower was associated with evil spirits, so the plants were not planted in this country.
In Asia, agaricum is placed in salads, and the herb is used as a seasoning for meat. In Greece, olive oil and lemon juice are poured onto the grass and agaricula is added as a side dish to fish.
The note! Young acorn leaves can be added to salads, they contain a lot of iron, ascorbic acid and carotene.
Infusions from the acorn herb are drunk for diarrhea, constipation, and diseases of the stomach and intestines. To prepare, collect the grass and chop it finely. Add 1-3 tbsp. spoons of herbs into a glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, then filter. The drink intake is divided into 3 parts, the infusion is drunk three times a day before meals.
For skin diseases, the prepared dried acorn is finely chopped, 400 g of herb is poured into 2 liters of boiling water in a saucepan. Then cook for 15 minutes. Then leave it for half an hour and pour it into the bath. Baths are taken three times a week. Shchiritsa upturned grows for only 1 year, the stems can be up to 1 m in height. Shchiritsa, in the photo, the plant has a straight stem, it has slight pubescence, and also a long red rhizome in the form of a rod, going to a depth of more than 2 m.
The acorn weed tolerates drought well, since the root can absorb moisture from great depths. As the photo shows, acorn grass has large diamond-shaped leaves. In the photo, the acorn leaves have greyish-green leaves on the outside, and are reddish on the bottom. The grass has petioles and veins with reddish stripes. It has black shiny seeds up to 1 mm in diameter; they germinate in early spring at a temperature of 5 degrees.
The note! The buds bloom in June and until October. One plant can have both female and male reds. small flowers. They are collected in long inflorescences in the form of panicles.
The fruits are in the form of an egg-shaped capsule. They are grayish-green and contain black seeds. One plant can produce up to 1.7 million seeds. The number of seeds depends on the light; without sunlight, the plant produces much fewer seeds.
Control measures
With a favorable summer, up to 1 thousand acorn stems grow per 1 m². The culture withstands frost and drought well. Grass grows on any land.
Shchiritsa, how to get rid of weed? Control measures can be:
- Mechanical.
- Chemical.
- Biological.
Mechanical tearing
This is the most commonly used method of grass removal. First, in the fall and spring, they dig deep into the ground, and then pull out the stems along with the rhizomes.
The grass cannot be allowed to bloom, so it is pulled out as often as possible during the season. You can dig the soil not with a shovel, but with a pitchfork, then you will remove the acorn roots intact, do not cut them into small pieces, otherwise new shoots will sprout on those pieces of roots that remain in the soil. Or you can use a cultivator, walk-behind tractor, or tractor.
Biological method
In order for the common acorn to grow, it needs good lighting. Therefore, if it is dark for a long time, it can destroy the shoots and roots.
To darken, you can add mulch, for example, cardboard, roofing felt, boards, black film. If you mulch the space where the acorn grew with a material that does not allow sunlight to pass through, the seeds will not germinate. In addition, it will be quite hot under such material, so the acorn sprouts will begin to burn out. But this method will require a fair amount of patience, since the plants may not die in one growing season. Another disadvantage of this method is that if soil accumulates on the surface of the covering material, acorn seeds may fall into it.
But the covering material should be chosen carefully, since under a dark film the soil will become very hot, and roofing material can release harmful resins.
Note! Instead of these materials, you can use organic mulch, spreading it in a layer of 5-10 cm. This is tree bark, pine and spruce branches, sawdust.
But you need to remember that fresh sawdust oxidizes the soil. And they also do not saturate the earth with nutrients, but draw them out. Therefore, sawdust is mixed with fertilizers or added to a compost heap for 1-2 years, and only then used. During this time, bacteria appear on the sawdust, saturating them with useful substances.
It is highly recommended to mulch the beds with needles from pine trees or fir trees in the spring. If you place it near strawberries, it will protect the berries from gray rot, and they will remain clean after rainstorms. But pine needles also acidify the soil, so ash is added to the soil, which, on the contrary, reduces acidity.
If you decide to add bark, it should be chopped into pieces 1-5 cm in size. The bark is perfect as a mulching material for trees and shrubs.
Benefits of mulch:
- with it the area becomes more beautiful and tidy;
- it suppresses the growth of acorn grass, its seeds do not spread throughout the area;
- the soil is protected from compaction, erosion and erosion by rainfall;
- it protects the soil from excessive water loss and moisture evaporation;
- In winter, mulch retains heat in the ground, so plants planted in spring grow faster;
- berries and vegetables do not fall directly to the ground, so they do not rot;
- it protects the soil from the appearance of slugs and snails;
- Organic mulch rots and then enriches the soil; it activates the activity of worms.
Depletion of ashes
This can be done if you have small plot. Constantly cut off the upturned acorn weed, that is, the stems that rise above the ground. Since the stems and roots of a crop are interdependent, if the stems die, the roots may also die. If you do this very often, the agaric will die.
Sowing green manure and herbs
This method is used near tree trunks and between bushes. Grass is sown in these spaces. You can sow the area around the vegetable plantings with marigolds and marigolds, as they not only prevent the acorn grass from growing, but also repel pests from vegetable crops.
And it is better to sow the perennial aquilegia in the flower bed. You can sow green manure - rye, mustard. When the plants sprout, they are covered with a dark film and left until spring. Then the grass will rot under the film and serve as fertilizer, and besides, the agaric will not be able to sprout.
Chemical method
Siberian weed, how to fight it with chemicals? Herbicides can only be used on acorn grass growing near fences, on paths in the garden, and also where there are no plantings.
Herbicides used:
- Tornado;
- Hurricane;
- Roundup;
- Glyphos;
- Lapis lazuli and others.
But when using, remember that herbicides are toxic; they cause poison to accumulate in the soil and plants.
Prevention measures
Don't forget about preventive measures. When placing mulch under plants, do not use dry grass with seeds. Do not add fresh manure when fertilizing the soil, as acorn seeds can sprout even after a cow’s stomach, and fresh manure can also be affected by helminths.
When you want to make a compost pile, do not put mature grass with seeds there, but put grass that has not yet begun to bloom. After collecting fruits and vegetables, sow the free spaces with green manure. Cut small acorn plants with flat cutters.
The botanical name comes from the Greek "amaranthos": "a" - not, "maraino" - to fade, "anthos" - flower - "unfading flower". Dried amaranth can retain its shape for 3-4 months, so it is often dried on winter time. For this, amaranth is popularly nicknamed “people’s winter friend.”
Among the Russian names for amaranth, the most common is “shiritsa”. There are also names: velvet, axamitnik, cockscombs, cat's tail, beetroot, rubella, gypsy, amaranth.
The revival of amaranth began in the 70s. 20th century, when it was found that amaranth seeds are very rich in protein, especially lysine - the most important, essential amino acid.
About 60 different varieties of amaranth are grown in Asia, Africa and America. Some species of amaranth are grown for food, some as ornamental plants, and others grow in the wild. The world's leading center for growing amaranth is the research center in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.
Shchiritsa is not a true cereal; it is the seed of a fast-growing, pest-resistant broad-leaved plant. Shchiritsa is a tall plant, about the size of a corn stalk, with a cluster of pinkish-purple flowers that retain their color even after drying. The seeds appear on spike-shaped heads. One plant can have up to half a million seeds.
The seeds of agarica are very small, smaller than a poppy seed. The grain is covered with a hard seed coat, which easily cracks when the seeds are roasted. After roasting and cooking, the grain is easily chewed and digested. The seeds have a slight nutty odor and can be used directly for breakfast, ground to make whole grain meals, or made into flour for baking.
Amaranth contains twice as much protein as rice and corn combined. The value of amaranth is determined by its complex amino acid composition. First of all, amaranth is rich in lysine and methionine. Shchiritsa is also a good source of dietary fiber, especially insoluble fiber. Foods containing a lot of insoluble fiber reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, cancer, hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Since ashiritsa is not a true grain, it is used in food for allergies to grains of food cereals.
People with celiac disease or gluten intolerance should not eat amaranth.
Although ashiritsa contains little insoluble fiber, it reduces high level cholesterol in the blood, just like pectin or oatmeal. This happens due to the high content of squaline in amaranth. Squaline is a lipid that lowers blood cholesterol levels.
Shchiritsa is rich in protein, improves the quality of food that does not contain animal proteins. Therefore, shiritsa is beneficial for children, pregnant and lactating women.
The leaves of the plant are rich in vitamin C, tannins, and contain carotene, flavonoids, potassium salts, manganese, zinc, and calcium.
The leaves and seeds of the plant are useful for gastritis, pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, liver and kidney diseases, tumor processes.
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.
Infusion of fresh leavesshiritsy.
1 tablespoon of fresh crushed amaranth leaves is poured with 1 glass of boiling water and left for 30 minutes. Strain and drink a quarter glass with honey 3-4 times a day before meals for stomach pain.
Juice from fresh amaranth leaves.
Fresh amaranth leaves are thoroughly washed in running water, then finely chopped and passed through a juicer. The juice is mixed with an equal amount of cream, drink a tablespoon 3 times a day before meals for gastritis, diabetes, pain in the liver.
Amaranth oil and its use in medicine.
Amaranth oil can be obtained from amaranth seeds, which contain no more than 10%. The oil contains up to 8% squalene. Squalene is important for the synthesis of steroids and triterpenes, including female hormones and vitamin D. This is what determines the high physiological activity of amaranth seeds.
Squalene is an essential component of human skin, and researchers have long noticed that substances high in squalene have healing properties. This is exactly what is characteristic of amaranth oil.
The next most important components of amaranth oil are tocopherols (vitamin E). Some varieties of amaranth contain up to 2% tocopherol. This is a record level for all plant sources of tocopherols. The latter are very active antioxidants.
Amaranth oil has a high content of phospholipids (10%), the predominant component is lecithin. And another group of biologically active substances is contained in amaranth oil. These are phytosterols. Their content in oil reaches 2%. It should be noted that the biogenesis of phytosterols is closely related to squalene.
Amaranth oil contains up to 50% linoleic acid, as well as 1% omega-3 linolenic acid, which has high biological activity.
Cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents;
Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
Skin diseases and skin damage: burns, long-term non-healing ulcers, psoriasis, dry eczema, neurodermatitis, allergic dermatoses, dermatitis.
Prevention of cancer.
Amaranth seeds are a favorite bird food. But they are also quite edible for people. Since ancient times, plants from the amaranth genus have been grown to produce grains. During excavations of ancient settlements, scientists found seeds that are about five thousand years old!
The leaves of these plants are also edible. Cultivated species with succulent, brightly colored, variegated leaves are widespread throughout the world. Our agaric also has edible leaves, but they are a bit harsh.
Shchiritsa (Amaranth). Use in folk medicine.
In folk medicine, infusions and decoctions of amaranth are used for gastrointestinal infections, liver and heart diseases, the treatment of tumors of various etiologies and localizations internally and externally, the treatment of fungal diseases, as a hemostatic agent for various bleedings, and externally used for eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, endometriosis , erosions, colpitis.
A decoction of seeds and roots is used for dysentery; in the form of baths it is used for allergies, rashes, diathesis and other skin diseases. The oil is used for bedsores, burns, scars and insect bites.
Fresh juice in a ratio of 1:5 is used for inflammation of the mucous membranes and for rinsing the mouth.
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The juice of the flowering plant is a rejuvenating and cosmetic product; it strengthens the hair roots and promotes their growth.
Preparation of infusion: pour 20g of leaves into 200ml of boiling water and leave in a boiling water bath for fifteen minutes, cool for 45 minutes and strain. Drink 1/3 tbsp. two to three times a day before meals.
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Preparation of the decoction: 15 g of chopped aerial parts or roots, pour 200 ml of boiling water and leave in a boiling water bath for half an hour, then cool for ten minutes and strain. Drink 1/3 tbsp three times a day. before meals.
Types of agaric.
The most common varieties or types of agaric.
Paniculata;
Shchiritsa tricolor;
Tailed acorn;
Schiritsa upturned or common;
Shchiritsa is dark.
From the history of shiritsa.
“Golden grain of God” - this is what the ancients called amaranth (shiritsu). Cavemen began growing amaranth 4,000 years ago. Amaranth was widely cultivated by the Aztecs, who believed that using amaranth grains as food strengthened the spirit and body, and its daily use created a nation of supermen.
Amaranth was fed to newborns, given to soldiers as food on long campaigns, and was even used as a means of payment when paying taxes. Shchiritsa was cultivated not only for its seeds, but also for its tasty leaves. The Aztecs produced approximately 15-20 thousand tons of acorn leaves and seeds per year shortly before the Spanish conquest.
Amaranth was more than just a staple food for the Aztecs, it also played a symbolic role in Aztec religious ceremonies. Amaranth seeds were ground to form a dough, then honey was added, and figurines of Aztec gods were made from this mixture. The figurines were then eaten by worshipers. Spanish conqueror Cortes in 1519 After the invasion of the Aztec lands, he ordered the destruction of the agaric, as he believed that the figures from the dough were pagan images, and suspected that human blood was mixed into the ceremonial dough.
To keep the Indians from cultivating amaranth, Cortez threatened to cut off the hands of those who would grow amaranth (shiritsa). However, this had no effect. The plant self-seeds well and has survived to this day.
Cultivation of amaranth has survived in the mountainous regions of Mexico and Argentina.
Shchiritsa in magic.
Shchiritsa was well known ancient civilizations Incas and Aztecs: it was given to warriors and runners to give them supernatural strength and endurance. They called this plant “the source of miraculous power” and “food of the Gods.”
As a highly effective performance enhancing drug magical power sorcerers, fakirs, sorcerers and magicians, amaranth is mentioned in the ancient records of the peoples of America, Africa, Egypt, the Middle East, India and China.
The medieval Inquisition declared it a diabolical plant and forbade its cultivation on pain of death.
Shchiritsa is a legendary unfading flower. A symbol of immortality, faith, fidelity, constancy in love.
In China, during the Moon Festival, amaranth was sacrificed to the moon hare.
Shchiritsa (amaranth) is a symbol of immortality. Anyone who wears his flower on his body experiences the favor of his superiors and achieves fame.
Amaranthus retroflexus L.
Amaranth family - Amaranthaceae.
Other names: gypsy, beetroot, rubella, velvet, cockscombs, cat's tail.
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, in Eastern Siberia, in the south of the Far East (Amur region, Primorye), in the Caucasus, 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, and when roasted, it is used for dysentery. Seeds replace cereals and poultry feed.
Young shoots are used as spinach greens and a vitamin product.
Methods of preparation and use
- 1–2 tablespoons of chopped acorn herb thrown into 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 1/3–1/2 cup before meals 3 times a day.
- Boil 1 tablespoon of dry crushed leaves for 1 glass of water for 2-3 minutes, leave for 1 hour, strain. Take 0.5 cups 3-4 times a day before meals.