Plant yields a blue dye similar to indigo. Folk Medicine Considered diuretic, emetic, and emollient, orache has been suggested as a folk remedy for plethora and lung ailments. Seeds mixed with wine are said to cure yellow jaundice. They also excite vomiting. Heated with vinegar, honey and salt, orache is used for gout.
Fruits are purgative and emetic.
Liniments and emollients prepared from the whole plant, like the juice of the plant, are said to be folk remedies for indurations and tumors, especially of the throat. Some species of Atriplex are reported to contain the toxins betaine, HCN, saponin, and selenium. However, they may be eaten just like the normal green-leaved form. Reported from the Eurosiberian Center of Diversity, garden orach or cvs thereof is reported to tolerate drought, frost, high pH, heat, sodium or salt, sand and weed. Distribution Temperate Asia and Europe, wild in the trans-Indus region.