Livida Amaranth, Red Amaranth, Smooth Amaranth

HERBAL GARDEN

तंडुलजा (Tandulja)

Classification

Synoyms

Tanduliyaka, Marisha, Rakta Tanduliyaka, Lal Chaulai, Shweta Chaulai (regional)

Habit

An annual, erect or spreading herb, soft and succulent, growing 50–120 cm in height. Cultivated widely as a leafy vegetable and medicinal plant.

Habitat

Native to India and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. Found in gardens, cultivated fields, roadsides, and moist fertile soils.

Morphology

Stem: Erect, smooth or slightly hairy, reddish-green, branched.
Leaves: Alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate, reddish-green, long-petioled, sometimes hairy.
Flowers: Small, greenish to reddish, arranged in terminal or axillary spikes.
Fruits: Small utricles containing single seeds.
Seeds: Tiny, round, black or dark brown, edible.
Root: Fibrous taproot.

Chemical Composition

Proteins and essential amino acids
Minerals: Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium
Vitamins: A, C, E
Flavonoids: Quercetin, Kaempferol
Polyphenols, Saponins, Tannins
Carbohydrates and dietary fibers These constituents make it nutritive, blood-purifying, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.

Guna-Karma

Rasa- Kashaya , Tikta, Madhura
Guna- Laghu, Snigdha
Virya- Sheeta
Vipaka- Madhura
Karma- Pittahara, Dahashamana, Raktaprasadaka, Shothahara, Jvaraghna, Vranaropaka, Mutrala, Balya
Doshakarma- Pacifies Pitta and Vata dosha, mildly increases Kapha.

Medicinal uses

Used in Raktapitta (bleeding disorders) and Pitta-janya jvara (fevers)
Leaf juice or decoction relieves burning sensation, inflammation, and ulcers
Seeds and leaves are nutritive, strengthen the body, and improve blood quality
Fresh leaves are consumed as vegetable for anemia and general weakness
Decoction of leaves acts as diuretic and antipyretic
Applied externally as paste for wounds and skin inflammation

Useful Part

Leaves, Seeds, Whole Plant

Doses

Swarasa (Juice): 10–20 ml
Churna (Powder): 3–6 g
Kwatha (Decoction): 30–50 ml
Fresh Leaves: As vegetable or applied as paste externally

Important Formulation

Tanduliyaka Churna
Pitta-shamak kwatha
Vranaropaka lepa (for wounds)
Balya preparations using tender leaves for anemia and weakness

Shloka

तण्डुलीयकं शीतलं पित्तदाहविनाशनम्।
रक्तपित्तं ज्वरं चैव शामयेत् पाचनं परम्॥

Hindi Name

Tandulja, Lal Chaulai, Lal Marisha, Livi Chaulai

English Name