Amaranthus spinosus L.

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 3

Amaranthus spinosus L.

Names.

Myanmar: hin-nu-new-subauk, khar-grope (Mon). English: pigweed, soldier-weed, spiny amaranthus, spiny pigweed, thorny amaranthus.

Range.

Pantropical.

Uses.

Whole plant: Leaves, roots, and whole plant used as a laxative, blood purifier, diuretic, and soporific. Taking the crushed and squeezed juice from the plant will neutralize the venom in snake bites. Boiling the plant and taking it will keep help prevent miscarriages. Leaf: Cure nose bleeds. Eating the leaves cooked in a curry will cure pain in urination and kidney stones. Juice squeezed from leaves can be licked with honey to cure vomiting and passing of blood, excessive menstruation, white vaginal discharge, gonorrhea, and sores and bumps. Root: The paste of the root made with water will neutralize the poison if applied to the site of a scorpion sting. It can also be applied onto boils to cure them. Applying either the paste of the root or using the crushed root as a poultice will cure stiffness of the muscles. The paste made with water can be strained and taken once in the morning and once at night to cure excessive menstruation.

Notes.

Jain and DeFilipps (1991) discuss the medicinal uses of the species in India, including use of the root as a laxative and abortifacient, and use of the leaf as a laxative. Medicinal use of this species in China is discussed by Duke and Ayensu (1985).

References.

Nordal (1963), Agricultural Corporation (1980).