Sanbal / Sarbal / संबळ / सर्बळ / Rajgira / Amaranthus roxburghianus

Sanbal / Sarbal / संबळ / सर्बळ / Rajgira / Amaranthus roxburghianus

Other Names

  • Local Name: Sanbal / Sarbal / संबळ / सर्बळ
  • Common Name: Rajgira
  • Botanical Name: Amaranthus roxburghianus

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Herb
  • Occurrence: Typically found in wastelands
  • Season of Availability: December-March
  • Geography: Tropical Asia
  • Method of Propagation: Seed and Sapling Propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds and transplanting of sapling

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves
  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes
  • Ripe: N/A
  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: Raw seeds
  • As Food: Seeds can be made into a flower or laddoo; leaves are eaten raw in salads or are cooked/boiled; seeds can be roasted and ground into a flour. Leaves are consumed as a vegetable
  • As Medicine: Root extract helps treat ulcers and hemorrhages.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes
  • Boiling Before Cooking: Not required
  • Pickling: N/A
  • Brining: N/A
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A
  • Overall Method: Seeds can be made into a flower or laddoo; leaves are eaten raw in salads or are cooked/boiled; seeds can be roasted and ground into a flour.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Rich in protein and carbohydrates.
  • Medicinal Benefit: Used as an aborting agent, laxative, iron tonic, anti-inflammatory, urinary ailments

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Root extract helps treat ulcers and hemorrhages.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Finely chop amaranth leaves and cook with mung dal, turmeric, and water until tender. In a separate pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds and garlic. Then add tomatoes and spices, cook briefly. Combine dal with amaranth leaves, simmer for 5 minutes, adjusting water as needed. Serve hot with rice or rotis.

Sanbal / Sarbal / संबळ / सर्बळ / Rajgira / Amaranthus roxburghianus