Amaranth (Amaranthus spp) It is an shrub plant that grows from two to seven feet high. Although the seeds are used as grain, they are not related to cereals, who are members of the grass family.

The more than 60 species of the genus include those that are grown by their seeds, which are grown by their leaves and many that are weeds or ornamental plants. Almost all are edible.

The amaranth has wide and alternate leaves and a feathensive chapter of small red or magenta flowers. This floral head is unmistakable and resembles the feathers of some exotic bird. The heads of the seeds seem very dense corn tassels.

Each plant is capable of producing between 40,000 and 60,000 tiny gold seeds. (Some species produce black or brown seeds).

Other names Amaranto, Crest de Gallo, Kiwicha, Lamb Rooms, Love lies bleeding, Pigweed

History and folklore

The amaranth name comes from the word Amarantonwhich means «without jelth», because the flowers maintain their shape and color when drying.

Amaranth was a basic food in the diet of pre -Columbian Aztecs, who believed he had supernatural powers and incorporated him into his religious ceremonies. Before the Spanish conquest in 1519, amaranth was associated with human sacrifice and Aztec women made a mixture of ground amaranth seeds, honey or human blood and then shaped with this mixture to idols that ate ceremoniously.

This practice horrified the conquerors, who reasoned that eliminating amaranth would also eliminate sacrifices. The Spaniards prohibited cereal, which fell into oblivion for hundreds of years.

Culture Importance of Sacred amaranthrano Choice associated with immortality and the gods.Griegosimbolo of eternal life and immortality.chinoprosperity, longevity and abundance. NATURAL NATURE, PROTECTION AND CONNECTION WITH NATURE. Religious ceremonies and offerings. Basicincacultive and symbol of wealth and abundance. Europe associates with love, protection and divination.Table 1: Cultural importance of amaranth

In the Cuzco area, flowers are used to treat teeth pain and fevers and as a food coloring for corn and quinoa. During the Carnival parties, the dancers often use the red amaranth flower as a blusher, painting their cheeks, and then they dance while they carry amaranth beams on their backs as they would do with a baby.

In India, Amaranth is known as «Rajera» (The King’s Grain) and is used in sweets called «Laddoos», similar to Mexican «joy.»

In Ecuador, the flowers are boiled and the boiling water colored is added to the «Aquardo» rum to create a drink that «purifies the blood» and also is reputed to help regulate the menstrual cycle.

Spread

Amaranth is very easy to grow. It is an annual plant, so it will have to be replaced or let it self-sign every year. However, it rests easily and, unless you are careful, you will not have many options. It does not transplace well and grows better outdoors.

Tolerates several types of soil, although the best is fertile and well drained. Heat and drought resists and does not have major disease problems, although it is susceptible to fungi if the soil remains too humid. You can recover from wilting when conditions improve.

You just have to sow some seeds in spring, from mid -May to early May. June is the best. It works well in rotation of corn or soy crops. No herbicide is considered safe with amaranth, and less badly, because I like organic. In any case, the wide leaves shade to the ground, so that few weeds have some chance in all that shadow once the plant starts.

Collection and storage

You can reap the seeds until the day after the first frost. If the leaves begin to fall, it is an indication that it is almost ready. Then you can cover the heads of the seeds with a brown paper bag and shake them so that they are released. Gather the leaves and use them when you need them.

They are better when they are young and fresh and are usually in good shape from the end of spring to the beginning of autumn.

Save amaranth seeds in a cool and dry place, protected from light. Light, heat and moisture damage the oils of the seeds and make them put out.

The chapters can be cut when they flourish and hang upside down to dry.

Magical and spiritual attributes

The amaranth is sacred for Huitzilopochtli, God Aztec del Sol, and is an adequate offering for Artemis and Demeter.

A crown of amaranth flowers in the head accelerates healing.

To make sure you never reach a bullet, it starts an entire amaranth plant (including the roots) preferably on a Friday during the full moon.

Leave an offering to the plant and then fold it, with roots and everything, in a piece of white cloth. Take it against your chest and you will be «bulletproof.»

The dry flowers of amaranth have been used to invoke the dead, I do not know the process for it.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION TO THE NEGATIVE Energies and evil spirits. Spiritual perceptions. Transformation Facilitate personal growth and transformation. Connection Reinforce the link with nature and spiritual kingdoms. Divination Sutilization of amaranth in rituals and practices of divination. Ritual Farmption of the amaranth to diverse magical rituals.Table 2: Magical and spiritual properties of amaranth

Amaranth is used in spells to repair a broken heart.

It is also associated with immortality and is used to decorate images of gods and goddesses, as well as pagan funeral ceremonies.

It is said that, woven in a crown, makes invisible to those who take it.

Magical purpose of using amaranto -techncichcych grocery protective amulets or bags with amaranth seeds. Curation to prepare healing teas or infusions with amaranth leaves. Authorize amaranth flowers in spells or rituals of love. ABUNDANCIACOLOCO THE AMARANT divinatory purposes. Ritualsincorpor the amaranth in rituals of fertility or abundance.Table 3: Magical Amaranth uses

Domestic use

Amaranth flowers dry well and look good in floral arrangements.

The flowers of the red amaranth can be dried, pulverize and used as a cosmetic to illuminate lips and cheeks.

I have read that birds hate amaranth seeds, but my chickens I love to destroy a stem of mature amaranth.

Healing attributes

Amaranth is a very nutritious tonic herb. It must always be cooked before consumed and cultivated in a low nitrogen situation.

Amaranth seeds can be used as a substitute for cereals for grain -sensitive people or who seek a low carbohydrate option. Being highly digestible, it is also good for people who recover from a disease or break fasting. It must be mixed with other flours to make yeast bread because it does not contain gluten. See more information in «culinary use.»

Amaranth seeds have also demonstrated their effectiveness to help reduce cholesterol.

An extract of flowers can be used externally for sores and ulcers and as mouth mouthpieces in the mouth.

Culinary use

Amaranth seeds are full of protein and fiber, although they seem to also contain some chemical that inhibits their absorption. Whatever this chemical, it is more a problem with raw seeds than with cooked. They can be processed in several ways, such as burst, ground in flour or flakes.

Whole seeds can be added to baked products to give them texture, cooking in cereals, adding to soups and stews as thickening and a little texture, or roasting and eating seeds.

To cook amaranth seeds such as cereal or garnish, such as rice or cuscous, combine equal parts of water and juice or apple broth (depending on whether you want the amaranth to be sweet or not) to obtain 2 cups of liquid. Put it in a saucepan with 1 cup of amaranth seeds and take it to boil.

Cook about 18-20 minutes until the liquid dissolves and the seeds are tender. Experiment with different herbs to obtain different flavors for a garnish. For breakfast cereals, add raisins and honey while they are cooked and serve with milk.

Amaranth flour can be used to make pasta, flat breads and pancakes. By not containing gluten, it should be mixed with other flours for yeast bread, but you can use up to 50% amaranth flour without negative effects on base flour performance.

In Mexico, the burst amaranth is mixed with molasses or honey and a granola -like bar or milk rice is formed. This treat is called «joy.» The roasted and ground seed is also used to make a traditional drink called «atole».

Amaranth leaves can be cooked and eaten like spinach. They are very rich in iron and vitamin C and also contain calcium, proteins, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Just cook them slightly steamed. They are especially good sprinkled with sesame seeds or pinions.

In Africa and the Caribbean, amaranth is a common herb and the leaves are collected when needed.

Additional notes

Amaranth grows like weed in many gardens …