Alegría, Amarante, Amarante-Grain, Amarante-Grain Géante, Amaranthus frumentaceus, Amaranthus hypochondriacus, Amaranthus leucocarpus, Amaranto, Chua, Huantli, Huatlí, Lady Bleeding, Love-Lies-Bleeding, Lovely Bleeding, Pilewort, Prince's Feather, Ramdana, Red Cockscomb, Rhamdana, Velvet Flower.
Amaranth is a plant. The leaf contains a small amount of vitamin C. People use the entire plant to make medicine.
Amaranth is used for ulcers, diarrhea, and swollen mouth and throat. It is also used to treat high cholesterol.
In foods, amaranth is used as a cereal grain.
How does it work?
Amaranth might work for some conditions by reducing swelling (astringent).
There is interest in using amaranth for high cholesterol because some research in animals suggests that it might be able to lower total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol, while raising “good” HDL cholesterol. But amaranth doesn't seem to have these benefits in people.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerPossibly Ineffective for...
- Lowering high cholesterol. In people with high cholesterol, eating a low-fat diet that includes amaranth oil or muffins enriched with amaranth doesn't seem to lower cholesterol any better than simply following a low-fat diet.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Ulcers.
- Diarrhea.
- Swollen mouth and throat.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowThe appropriate dose of amaranth depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for amaranth. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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