In prehispanic times, in addition to forming part of the diet of the indigenous people, it was also used as currency and for ceremonial purposes. Figures of amaranth and honey were made as offerings to the gods.[3] In order to stop those religious practices, Hernán Cortés banned the cultivation of amaranth. The plant began to fall into disuse [5] because those who continued to cultivate it faced being put to death as punishment.[2]