An annual herb, probably of American origin. Stem 30-60 cm long, variable in breadth, petiole equalling the blade or shorter; flowers in lax, slender spikes; seeds black. The plant flowers during rainy and cold seasons.
Herb Effects
Similar to that of vitamin B12 (plant); "juvenomimetic activity" (petroleum ether extract of plant); febrifuge, antihelminthic, diuretic and galactagogue.
Snakebite antidote (stem); antifertility agent (root); for diarrhoea (tender leaves).
Contraindication
Plants grown on nitrogen-rich soils are known to concentrate nitrates in the leaves. Nitrates are implicated in stomach cancers, blue babies and some other health problems. It is inadvisable, therefore, to eat this plant if it is grown inorganically.
Reference
Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.
Kwon SY. An CS. Liu JR. Paek KH. A ribosome-inactivating protein from Amaranthus viridis. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1997 Sep;61(9):1613-4.
Health Remedies 
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