Health Benefits of eating Amaranth Leaves:-
Homeopathic and ayurvedic experts have always recognized the amazing health benefits of amaranth. Both, the seeds and leaves of amaranth, are used as herbal remedies. The seeds and leaves have been found to be very effective in stopping diarrhea, and hemorrhagic problems like excessive menstruation.
Amaranth leaves are also a wonderful astringent, and make a great wash for skin problems like eczema, and a wonderful acne remedy. Amaranth also makes an effective mouthwash for treating mouth sores, swollen gums, and sore throat.
Amaranth leaves have been found to be a good home remedy for hair loss and premature greying. Applying the fresh juice of amaranth leaves helps hair to retain its color, and keeps it soft, and is a great hair-loss treatment.
The amaranth seed or grain is similar to millet and quinoa in terms of nutritional benefits. In India, the grain is popped like corn and used like breakfast cereal, porridge, and gruel, and in sweets like laddus, or milled into flour and used to make flatbreads (chapathis).
Amaranth grain has an extremely high protein and high fat content. In fact, amaranth is a better source of protein than wheat. Amaranth grain contains 6-10 percent oil -- mainly an unsaturated oil which is high in linoleic acid and lysine, essential amino acids, necessary for overall health maintenance and tissue repair. Our bodies cannot produce these essential fatty acids; we must therefore obtain these from our diet.
Amaranth is also rich in carbohydrates. It is this balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat that make this grain great as energy food. Because of these essential nutrients and it's nutty flavor and crunchy texture, amaranth is a popular ingredient in health food, and is being increasingly used in greens plus energy bars.
Amaranth grain is also very easy to digest and gluten-free, and, hence, often fed to babies, children, the elderly and those recovering from fasts and illnesses.
In India, amaranth grain is milled into flour and combined with other flours for making breads.
In the US, amaranth leaves, grain, and flour are available in Indian and Asian grocery stores, as well as in your local organic and vitamin shop.
