Chenopodium quinoa
Quinua
Chenopodium quinoa, commonly known as quinoa, is a nutrient-dense pseudocereal celebrated globally for its exceptional nutritional profile. Beyond its dietary importance as a complete protein source, this resilient plant offers significant medicinal potential, containing bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties essential for holistic wellness and health.
- Scientific name: Chenopodium quinoa
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Amaranthaceae and the genus Chenopodium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Amaranthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Chenopodium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Chenopodium quinoa, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In German, it is referred to as Quinoa, while in Arabic, it is called كينوا. In the Aymara language, the plant is known as Jiwra, and it is widely called quinoa in Catalan. Additionally, in Czech, it is identified as merlík čilský.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Quinoa | Wikidata |
| ar | كينوا | Wikidata |
| ay | Jiwra | Wikidata |
| ca | quinoa | Wikidata |
| cs | merlík čilský | Wikidata |
| da | Quinoa | Wikidata |
| el | Κινόα | Wikidata |
| eo | Kvinoo | Wikidata |
| et | tšiili hanemalts | Wikidata |
| eu | Kinoa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution that spans multiple continents. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found within Great Britain. Moving through Middle Europe, it inhabits regions such as Germany as well as the area encompassing Czechia and Slovakia. The plant's reach extends into Eastern Europe, specifically within the Baltic States. Finally, its distribution reaches the Western South American nation of Bolivia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Baltic States | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Chile Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Chenopodium quinoa, is primarily valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, which are concentrated in its seeds. Each individual seed is a tiny, nutrient-dense powerhouse containing a complete profile of essential amino acids and minerals. Because the seed is so versatile, the plant is cultivated globally, with the harvested seeds serving as a staple food source that offers significant health benefits to consumers.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Chenopodium quinoa has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, tannins, Ara, Gal.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ara | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glc | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Man | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| choline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Chenopodium quinoa has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Chenopodium quinoa has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Tomato spotted wilt virus, abiotic stress, body weight, carbohydrate metabolism, chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Total uses
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato spotted wilt virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abiotic stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| body weight | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carbohydrate metabolism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic fatigue syndrome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatic steatosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid metabolism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |