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: Ayurvedic Medicine, Herbal Supplements

Just heard this ayurvedic proverb and thought I would share it with you all.

“When the diet is wrong, medicine has no effect - and when the diet is right, medicine is not needed”

Pin this up on your wall, friends. Its true and helps you to keep away from allergies and dreadful symptoms. Let me give you a simple recipe for Khichadi.

Note : You can get Moong Dal or Bengal Gram from some Indian Grocery Store.

• 1 1/2 cups Basmati rice, washed, soaked in water for 1/2 hour and drained
• 1/2 cup Bengal Gram Dal(Green Lentils also called Moong Dal), washed, soaked in water for 1/2 hour and drained. Soak the Dal and rice ahead time and then get all the other ingredients together.
• 5 teaspoons butter or oil
• 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
• 2 to 3 Whole Cloves
• 6 peppercorns
• 1/4 th teaspoon Black pepper powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 3 cups boiling or hot water

Garnish
1 teaspoon of ghee (Clarified Butter)
Fresh coriander leaves

In a large saucepan, melt the butter or oil over moderate heat. When the foam subsides for the butter, add the cloves, peppercorns, black pepper powder and bay leaf add the onion and fry, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Continue sautéing, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes or until the onion is soft and translucent but not brown.
Add the rice, moong daal, salt and turmeric. Stir and toss the mixture gently. Reduce the heat to moderately low and stir gently for a minute. Pour in the boiling water and stir once. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice and Moong daal are cooked and tender and all the water has been absorbed. Remove the pan from the heat. Many people like to cook this in a pressure cooker or a rice cooker. Serve at once. Garnish with 1 teaspoon of ghee and some fresh coriander leaves.

This Khichadi is light and should be taken in dinner , especially recommended for alleviating Pitta disorders.

Regards, Puneet

If you do not know what “Kapha” is, then please check your dosha here

The winter months are Kapha Season. You tend to get depressed, sluggish and dull. The quick remedy to sluggishness, is to exercise vigorously. Exercise will stimulate and rejuvenate your body processes and induce lightness and help you to be active. Exercise also helps you to burn the toxins in your body. Also try and drink lukewarm water throughout the day to flush out impurities.

Be physically active. Being active would balance the Kapha Dosha.  After you determine your Body Dosha type and find that you are Vata-dominant, or tend to have an imbalance of Vata, then exercise gently and do not exert yourself beyond limits. Infact, my doctor advises that 40 minutes of brisk walk or cardio-exercises/yoga is good enough for the day. Because imbalance of Vata usually means being prone to high blood pressure, restrict yourself to normal, mild exercise.

Massage yourselves daily with Dhanvantram Oil. People who tend to be Pitta, should do moderate exercise like jogging, cycling, or can play some sports. Water sports are very good for