Achyranthes bidentata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Core eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Amaranthaceae |
Genus: | Achyranthes |
Species: | A. bidentata |
Binomial name | |
Achyranthes bidentata Blume |
Achyranthes bidentata Blume (English common name: ox knee, Chinese: niu xi) is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. It occurs in India, Nepal, China, and Japan. It is the source of the Chinese herbal medicine huái niú xī. In Nepal its root juice is used for toothache. Its seeds have been used as a substitute for cereal grains in famine years. The plant is used externally in the treatment of leech bites in Mizoram, India and a decoction as a diuretic.