Amaranth is a broad-leafed plant that is native to the southern half of North America. It is part of the Amaranthaceae family of flowering plants, which also includes beets, Swiss chard, spinach, and quinoa, and is characterized by its rapid growing speed and competitive nature. In fact, amaranth is so aggressive that many American gardeners regard it as nothing more than a noxious weed that does little but threaten the livelihood of other, less invasive…
You have to hand it to South America: that part of the world produces an impressive number of nutritious foods. The vitamin C-rich camu camu, the sweet and juicy mangosteen, the antioxidant-packed acai berry… all of them are native to that fertile continent. If there’s one South American food that stands head and shoulders above the rest in the health department, however, it’s Peruvian Ginseng – or, as it’s more commonly known, maca. Native to…
Bacopa monnieri, also called brahmi and water hyssop, is a thick-leafed herb that favors wet and muddy locations in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and southern parts of the United States. It is characterized by its green leaves and white flowers, and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries thanks to its considerable healing properties, especially in relation to mental health. It is relatively inexpensive to buy from health food stores, and is usually consumed…
Moringa oleifera, also called the drumstick tree and horseradish tree, is a sturdy tree native to the lower slopes of the Himalayan mountain range in northwestern India. Its pods and leaves are often cultivated for food and oil extraction in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, as well as for water purification purposes. The leaves and pods of the moringa tree are unusually nutritious, even when compared to other tropical vegetables, and they have…
Quinoa is a grain crop native to the Andean Mountains of South America. Although the leaves of the plant can be consumed as a leaf vegetable, quinoa is primarily grown for its seeds. These seeds, which are cooked in a similar way to rice, come in three colors (red, white, and black) and are much-loved for their significant health benefits. In fact, 2013 was crowned “The International Year of Quinoa” by the United Nations due…
