(Amaranthaceae) Amaranthus spinosus L.

Local name(s): (pak houm nam)

Medicinal use(s): Used to treat syphilis.

Part(s) used: root

Field Characters: Herbaceous small shrub. Leaves alternate, thorns coming from leaf apex. Grows next to river, succulent stem.

Locality: Oudomxay Province, Beng District; Chan Tai Village

Habitat: 

Altitude: 469 m asl

Collector(s): A. Libman, V. Somsamout, M. Xayvue

Collection number(s): LAOS 449

Collection Date: June 14, 2003

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2252564.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 

Plants of the World onlineFlora of China Vol. 5 Page 419GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Medicinal properties:


Adegbola PI, Adetutu A, Olaniyi TD. Antioxidant activity of Amaranthus species from the Amaranthaceae family – A review. South African Journal of Botany 2020, volume 133, pages 111-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.07.003.

Jhade D, Ahirwar D, Jain R, et al.  A Pharmacological Review : Amaranthus spinosus. Research J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2009, 1(3): 169-172. https://rjpponline.org/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacognosy%20and%20Phytochemistry;PID=2009-1-3-6 

Mondal A, GuriaT, Singh T, et al (2014). Pharmacological Actions and Phytoconstituents of Amaranthus spinosus Linn: A Review. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research 2020, Volume 133, pages 111-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.07.003 

Singh MP, Goel B, Kumar R, Rathor S. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of genus Amaranthus. Fitoterapia 2024,  volume 176, 106036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106036