globe amaranth (or) makhmali flower (or)vadamalli

 Globe Amaranth (or) Makhmali flower (or)vadamalli

Common name  : globe amaranth (or) makhmali flower (or)vadamalli. 

Biological name  : Globosa.

The round-shaped flower inflorescences are a visually dominant feature and cultivars have been propagated to exhibit shades of magenta, purple, red, orange, white, pink, and lilac. Within the flower heads, the true flowers are small and inconspicuous.

As a tropical annual plant, G. globosa blooms continuously throughout summer and early fall. It is very heat tolerant and fairly drought resistant, but grows best in full sun and regular moisture. The plant fixes carbon through the C4 pathway. At maturity, the flowerheads are approximately 4 cm long and the plant grows up to 24 inches in height.

 Uses of flower :

1) Medicinal uses:

              The edible plant G. globosa has been used in herbal medicine.  the flowers are boiled to make a tea which is used for baby gripe, oliguria, cough and diabetes.[5] Caribbean folk medicine historically used globe amaranth to relieve prostate and reproductive problems.[6] The purple inflorescences have been used as a remedy for several respiratory inflammation conditions including bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis, and whooping cough.

2)betacyanins have displayed interesting medicinal characteristics as powerful antioxidant and chemopreventive compounds in both in vitro and in vivo models. G. globosa inflorescences extract decreased nitric oxide content in cultured macrophages.