Amaranth (Amaranthus)
Amaranthus
Western Herbalism
Western Herbalism

Amaranth

Amaranthus

Also known as Prince's feather, Lovely bleeding, Love-lies-bleeding, Red cockscomb.

CoolingDryingTaste: AstringentTaste: BitterTaste: sweet

Amaranthus is a large genus of fast-growing annual herbs found across warm and temperate regions worldwide, several species long cultivated as grain, pot herb, and ornamental. The leaves and flowering tops of certain garden species, known in old texts as Prince's feather or Lovely bleeding, were valued by nineteenth century American eclectic physicians as a gentle astringent. The plant has no formal place in classical Chinese or Ayurvedic pharmacy but appears repeatedly in eclectic dispensatories as a household remedy for bleeding and flux.

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Actions

AstringentHemostaticAntidiarrhealDemulcentAnti-inflammatoryMild antimicrobialNutritive tonic

Indications what the tradition reached for it in

Specific indications

Profuse, prolonged menstrual bleeding with a dragging, heavy pelvic sensation

Loose, watery stool with mucus in children or the debilitated, where a mild astringent is wanted

Safety

Pregnancy: Avoid concentrated medicinal preparations in pregnancy given the lack of safety data and the traditional use for controlling uterine bleeding, though the leaf as a food vegetable is considered safe.

The record lists 3 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.

In practice

Eclectic writers reached for amaranth leaf tea chiefly as a simple astringent for women with heavy, prolonged periods and for looser, watery bowel complaints, using it much as one might use a mild agrimony or shepherd's purse when a gentler astringent seemed appropriate. It was also gargled for a sore, ulcerated mouth or throat and applied as a wash for minor bleeding wounds. In practice this is a supportive herb rather than a first line agent: expect a mild, tannin-mediated tightening effect rather than dramatic hemostasis, and pair it with more specific uterine or gastrointestinal remedies when the bleeding or flux is significant. Because it is also a common food plant, patients tolerate the infusion well and it makes a reasonable adjunct tea for someone already eating amaranth greens or grain.

Dosing as the sources wrote it

PreparationAs writtenMetric
Infusion2-4 g dried leaf or flowering herb steeped, three times daily2000-4000 mg
Tincture (1:5, 45%)2-4 mL three times daily2-4 mL

Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.

From the sources

Overview. Amaranthus is a large genus of fast-growing annual herbs found across warm and temperate regions worldwide, several species long cultivated as grain, pot herb, and ornamental. The leaves and flowering tops of certain garden species, known in old texts as Prince's feather or Lovely bleeding, were valued by nineteenth century American eclectic physicians as a gentle astringent. The plant has no formal place in classical Chinese or Ayurvedic pharmacy but appears repeatedly in eclectic dispensatories as a household remedy for bleeding and flux.

Clinical Notes. Eclectic writers reached for amaranth leaf tea chiefly as a simple astringent for women with heavy, prolonged periods and for looser, watery bowel complaints, using it much as one might use a mild agrimony or shepherd's purse when a gentler astringent seemed appropriate.

Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.

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