Marsha (Marisha (Bapshpa, Marsha))

About

Marsha, known botanically as Amaranthus blitum, is an Ayurvedic herb recognized for its cooling and constipating properties. It is used traditionally to balance Pitta dosha and is considered heavy in nature. The plant is also valued for its nutritional benefits.

Properties

Antioxidant activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Inhibition of platelet aggregation, Larvicidal activity

Dosage

Currently, there is not enough scientific information available to determine an appropriate range of dosages for amaranth. The appropriate dose depends on factors such as the user's age, health, and other conditions. In modern herbal medicine, a fluid extract is employed, the dose being 1/2 to 1 drachm.

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Sweet
• Virya: ["Cooling"]
• Vipaka: ["Sweet"]

Benefits

• Constipating
• Alleviates Pitta

Traditional uses

• Fever
• Hemorrhage
• Anemia
• Kidney complaints
• Inflammations
• Boils
• Abscesses

Dosha effects

• vata: balancing
• kapha: balancing
• pitta: decreasing

Preparation methods

• Leaves: Can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach. The leaves can be boiled for 5-10 minutes in lightly salted water until soft.
• Seeds: Can be cooked and used as a cereal substitute in cakes or porridge. The seed can be cooked whole, becoming gelatinous.
• Extract: An ethanol water solution can be used as a solvent, and heated and extracted to obtain an extracting solution.
• Drying: Amaranth leaves can be dried using sun, shade, solar, cabinet (tray), vacuum, freeze, and far-infrared drying methods. Solar drying is recommended for retaining nutrients. Cabinet drying at 65 ± 5 °C retains more beta-carotene and ascorbic acid.
• Other uses: A fluid extract of the plant is used as an astringent. A decoction can be taken in wineglassful doses. The juice of the roots is used externally to relieve headaches.

Contraindications

• Amaranthus blitum contains oxalic acid, which can bind calcium and may increase the risk of kidney stones if consumed in excess, especially raw.
• People with a history of renal stones should consume it occasionally and cooked.
• Some individuals may experience bloating or mild laxative effects, especially when first trying it or consuming large quantities.
• There is a risk of nitrate accumulation in Amaranthus blitum grown in heavily fertilized soils, which could be problematic for infants.
• Pregnant and lactating women should consume cooked forms and consult a dietitian or Vaidya.
• It should be introduced to children after age 2, in well-cooked stews.

Side effects

• It is not known if amaranth is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
• When taken by mouth, the seed, oil, and leaves of amaranth are likely safe when used in food amounts. Taking amaranth as a medicine is possibly safe when used for 3 weeks or less.
• No adverse/toxic effects and no mortality were noted at the dose of 2000mg/kg.

Interactions

• There are no specific interactions listed for *Amaranthus blitum*.
• *Amaranthus blitum* contains linoleic acid.
• Consider potential interactions with heparin and possible adverse events in patients with Lupus anticoagulant (antiphospholipid syndrome) and haemophilia A and B.
• Aqueous extracts of sweet clover and sunflower have been shown to affect the laboratory germination of seeds of *A. blitum*.

Active compounds

• Betacyanins (Amaranthin)
• Flavonoids (Rutin, Isoquercetin, Kaempferol derivatives)
• Phenolic acids
• Triterpenoids
• β-sitosterol
• Phytol
• Tetradecane
• N-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-L-tryptophan

Clinical evidence

Clinical trials on Amaranthus blitum (Marsha) are limited, consisting of several in-vitro and animal studies. Human clinical trials have shown potential benefits on vascular reactivity and exercise performance, while others showed no significant effects on cholesterol reduction or anti-ulcer activity. Animal studies suggest a positive impact on anemia. More extensive research is needed to validate these findings.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Constipating
• Alleviates Pitta

Classical clinical indications

• Fever
• Hemorrhage
• Anemia
• Kidney complaints
• Inflammations
• Boils
• Abscesses

Frequently asked questions