Tandalya / तांदळा / Amaranth / Rajgira / Amaranthus tricolor L.

  • Local Name: Tandalya / तांदळा
  • Common Name: Amaranth / Rajgira
  • Botanical Name: Amaranthus tricolor L.

Status & Habitat

  • Status: Common

  • Habitat: Herb

  • Occurrence: Farm bunds, Barren lands, Farms

  • Season of Availability: Year-round

  • Geography: Tropical Asia

  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Plant

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: N/A

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Seeds can be cooked and eaten; leaves can be eaten as a green vegetable.

  • As Medicine: Decoction of the roots can be used to treat piles and diarrhea; roots help heal pain and inflammation; used to aid digestion and weight loss

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Yes

  • Boiling Before Cooking: No

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: Yes, Seeds

  • Overall Method: Seeds can be eaten cooked like quinoa; leaves can be eaten raw in salads; amaranth flower can be made with seeds.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Has anti-inflammatory properties.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Aids in treatment of blood disorders, piles, infectious symptoms of tuberculosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, leucorrhea

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Decoction of the roots can be used to treat piles and diarrhea; roots help heal pain and inflammation; used to aid digestion and weight loss

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Use leaves in salads (eat raw).