We all know that Rice has been a staple diet in many parts of India. It contains mainly carbohydrates with almost negligible proteins, fats and minerals. 100 grams of Rice gives us 300-400 calories. In Ayurveda, Khichari (rice-lentil stew) has been recommended because the proteins in rice, when mixed with proteins in the grams/lentils can produce nutritious results. Many people in Western and Southern India cook rice in milk to make “Payasam” which is very nutritious, but it should be taken without sugar. Other milk products like curd, buttermilk, yoghurt etc when mixed with rice show good nutritional value.

Forms of Rice : From all varieties, the manually polished rice is the best for digestion. Try to get this organic rice from villages or directly from farmers. It may be difficult to get this form of rice in cities or big metros.

Ayurvedic Analysis : Rice has a sweet post-digestive effect (”Vipaka”). It reduces pitta vitiation and has a cooling effect on the body. This holds special mention since most of the people in North American region have elevated “Pitta Dosha” imbalance due to stressful lifestyle and intake of junk food etc. The best way to cook rice is to add double the water to it for boiling. When half the water remains, remove that water and serve it. This form of cooked rice is light for digestion and rich in nutrition. This form of a light meal is very good for children suffering from fever, mumps, ring worm, hay fever etc. Rice also strengthens semen. Many Ayurvedic texts recommend mixing milk, rice and dates to increase the strength of semen and quality of sperms.

Beneficial in GERD, Bloating and Acidity : People suffering from Gastro-Esophageal Reflux or Hyperacidity should not be afraid of rice. Rice milked with milk, or plain yoghurt, will improve digestion and relieve you of loose motions. In South India, Thailand, Indonesia etc - rice is a staple food and most of the dishes are made from some form of rice. Still, you will not find many obese people in these parts. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is a nutrient found in brown rice, but not in polished white rice.

Read : How to overcome nutritional shortcomings in an American Diet (This article suggests why whole grains such as rice should be added to correct mineral deficiencies).

The correct way to have rice is to chew it to a fine paste. Over-cooked rice does not help, and neither does the one which has too many things thrown into it. While cooking, if you mix the rice with plenty of other things, you are just killing its nutritional value.

a) Do not mix any type of flour with the rice and then cook or deep fry it.
b) Do not add curd in rice flour and then ferment it.
c) Do not use leave rice overnight and use it the next morning
If you do any of these, it surely causes acidity, and increases Pitta Dosha.

Hence, Rice when taken in the right away actually helps you to stay light, improve liver metabolism and thereby increases your ability to reduce weight. If you have any clarifications, submit your health questions to us here.

Find out your dosha here.
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Tags: Herbal Supplements, Ayurvedic Medicine

Ever since, I wrote my e-book about treating your heartburn, people have been asking me what exactly is a “heartburn” and how can they determine if they have one.

Heartburn is nothing but GERD (gastro esophageal Reflux Disease) where the most common symptom of GERD is a burning sensation or discomfort behind the breastbone or sternum, and may be accompanied by regurgitation of gastric contents into the mouth or the lungs. Most episodes of the heartburn occur during the day, usually after eating, although some sufferers will also experience reflux during sleep.Nocturnal reflux is commonly associated with a higher risk and more severe indications of esophagitis because the acid remains in the esophagus for prolonged periods due to decreased swallowing and less saliva produced to neutralize the acid.

Lifestyle modifications for treating Heartburn :

• Avoid caffeinated beverages, alcohol, drugs, and smoking.
• Tight clothing should be avoided
• Keep an upright posture while sitting or working.
• Some patients may be counseled to insert a wedge under their back at night to keep the esophagus above the stomach while sleeping.
• Similarly, avoid exertion after a meal, such as bending or lifting is considered important, as this contracts the abdominal muscles and forces food through the weakened LES.
• Patients are also recommended to eat in a relaxed manner, and eat smaller meals.
• pregnant women often complain of heartburn, simply because of the pressure placed upon the stomach from the growing fetus, but also because hormonal fluctuations tend to make the esophageal and gastric mucosa more sensitive and therefore more reactive.

Alternative / Ayurvedic tips to combat heartburn (You can find plenty of tips in my ebook at http://ebook.treatyourheartburn.com)

a) cold infusions of Slippery Elm bark, Marshmallow root or Comfrey leaf, 50 g per 1 liter, taken as needed, up to 1-2 liters
daily.

b) Take a multi-vitamin with Zinc daily as a stress-reliever and pH regulator.

c) Bitters, taken in small doses before meals, e.g. Katuka, Barberry, Gentian, Centaury, Goldenseal, etc. NOTE: the usage of bitters are often avoided at the outset of treatment because the initial stimulation of acid production may worsen any esophageal ulceration.

d) Shatavari Ghritam can also be taken 6-12 grams before meals.

e) Certain Ayurvedic multi-herb compounds like Avipattikar Churna, Drakshadi Churna, Licorice (Yashtimadhu preferably De-glycyrrhizinated) Churnam, Sutshekhar Rasa, Leela Vilas Ras etc are also advised after examination from an ayurvedacharya.

Regards, Puneet