Two-toothed Amaranthus

This genus of six variable, weedy perennials is found mostly in the subtropics and tropics of Eurasia, Australia, and Africa. A few species are used as food or medicinal plants, but they are almost unknown outside their native lands. Achyranthes bidentata is cultivated in China on a large scale for the herb trade, mainly in Henan Province. The deep rish soil produces exceptionally large roots, the best quality ones reaching 1-1.2m (3-4ft) in length. This important Chinese herb was first described in medical texts c. CE200. The Chinese name for A. bidentata — huai niu xi — means "ox knees from Huai River" and refers to the enlarged nodes on the stem. Cyathula officinalis (Sichuan ox knees) is used in similar ways to A. bidentata. The seeds of A. bidentata are a good substitute for cereal grains in bread-making and have been used for this purpose in India during famine. Young leaves and tops of A. aspera (Prickly chaff flower, apamarga, latjira) are eaten like spinach and burned as a source of vegetable salt in Africa. In India the seeds are boiled in milk as a tonic.

Slender perennial with velvety, opposite, elliptic leaves, to 12cm (5in) long. In late summer, inconspicuous flowers, accompanied by tiny spines, open a few at a time on erect spikes.

Common Name:	Two-toothed Amaranthus
Other Names:	Amaranth
Botanical Name:	Achyranthes bidentata
Genus:	Achyranthes
Family:	Amaranthaceae
Native Location:	E and SE Asia, naturalized in S USA.
Cultivation:	Rich, deep, well-drained soil, ideally sandy and slightly acidic, in partial shade.
Propagation:	By seed sown in late spring.
Harvest:	Leaves and stems are picked in summer and crushed for juice or used in tinctures. Roots are lifted in autumn or winter from one or two-year-old plants and sun-dried for use in decoctions, liquid extracts, pills, and powders. The drying process often involves a stage of stir-frying with rice wine. Fresh root is used in southern China.
height:	38cm-1m (15-36in)
Width:	23-45cm (9-18in)
Hardiness:	Z8-9
Parts Used:	Roots (huai nui xi), leaves, stems
Properties:	A bitter, acrid herb that stimulates the circulatory and digestive systems, liver and kidneys, lowering blood pressure and relieving pain. Acts mostly on the lower half of the body. Research suggests it dilates the cervix and is therefore inadvisable for use during pregnancy.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for blood in urine, hypertension, low back and joint, menstrual, and postpartum pain, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limites. pp 99-100.