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Kitchari Myths and the Truth About Its Ingredients

“Kitchari is a nutritious Indian dish consisting of rice and lentils or occasionally mung beans. Highly favored by Ayurvedic practitioners, Kitchari is an ideal dish for purifying the body. It is also comforting when you are not feeling well or bouncing back from overindulgence. Kitchari is unique because it provides both a cleansing and nourishing effect on the body. It is easily digestible, giving your body a chance to rest, assisting in removing toxins from the body and improving the health of the digestive system. Lentils and beans are rich in protein, which can help prevent hunger and reduce fat storage in the body. Kitchari is nourishing and helps keep you satisfied, making it easier to stay committed to the cleanse without feeling hungry. ” The notion that I have described above is what I have found in Google elaborating all the benefits of Kitchari, but there are some quick facts that I would like to share related to this concept. Kitchari is the most famous and hyped Ayurvedic Food on the internet. It is a typical Indian lunch dish. Ayurveda is much more than a Kitchari! There are so many fantastic recipes (I will introduce a few in my future posts) in Ayurveda; why only Kitchari? The fact is, most Kitchari recipes I have come across on the internet and in many Western Ayurvedic cookbooks are totally wrong. So why is Kitchari, not the real Kitchari? Firstly, the name itself is wrong! Sanskrit name (Ayurvedic texts): Krsara Indian name (Hindi): Khichdi Internet name: Kitchari (Who named this?) During my six years in Ayurveda College, I did not have Wi-Fi. I had no access to the outside world. Once I came to Dubai and started reading up things online, I had a revelation – Kichari is synonymous with Ayurveda! Whoever talks about Ayurvedic food talks about the dish! I had to literally go back to my textbooks to see if I missed something so important! I just realized that’s how the Ayurvedic internet world works and also went through a few Western Ayurvedic books – they also mention the same Kitchari but got all that wrong! First, it is not made with Basmati Rice (Basmati rice is the most inferior quality of rice according to Ayurveda) Also, it is not made with coconut oil (Coconut oil is heavy, cold, and difficult to digest). The new-age Kitchari is heavy and hard to digest, while the real Ayurvedic one is totally digestible, light, and suitable for all Doshas, especially Vata! It is excellent as a mono diet for detoxification, too! The recipe This is the (Real) recipe for preparing Kitchari. Ingredients 12 parts unbroken Sona Masoori rice Eight parts mung beans, a.k.a green gram (soaked) Asafoetida Fresh ginger Ghee Salt to taste How to prepare: Cook rice and soaked mung beans in water till it comes to a dry oatmeal consistency. In a pan, add one tablespoon of ghee, fresh ginger, asafoetida and turmeric. Add a little salt to taste if you wish, and add to the cooked rice beans mix. That’s it! Simple. Light. Digestive! Kitchari is one of the most delicious and healthy foods for the diet, but you should focus on preparing it with the correct ingredients and cooking methods. I can name you the most famous western Ayurvedic author, giving Kitchari recipe with Basmati rice and coconut oil, making it totally wrong!! Try to learn and practice Ayurveda directly from authentic Ayurvedic textbooks written by Vagbhata, Caraka, or Susrutha. Trust me, your eyes will open to a whole new world! If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. We have the Best Ayurvedic Doctors in Trivandrum who is always glad to helps you . If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit.

Hypothyroidism Diet : Ayurvedic Recipe for Thyroid Balance

Do you have hypothyroidism ? If yes, then this Ayurvedic recipe is for you! You can include this Ayurvedic recipe for hypothyroidism in your everyday diet to get better effects. The main essence of the recipe is Moringa or Shigro. Drumsticks and the fresh leaves are the main ingredients of the recipe. Moringa, the superhero plant, is packed with nutrients. It’s like a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and some compounds that might have anti-inflammatory properties. People in various cultures have traditionally used Moringa to boost energy and enhance overall health. The moringa plant can be found growing in both Asia and Africa. Another name for it is the “miracle tree” or “drumstick tree.” Its rise in popularity can be attributed to its positive impact on health and its nutrient-rich composition. The recipe Ingredients: Washed fresh drumstick leaves (3 bunches around 500 g) Ghee/ coconut oil – 1 tablespoon Mustard seeds – 1/4 teaspoon Cumin seeds – 1/4 teaspoon Grated coconut – quarter to half cup Onion – 1 small Garlic – 3 one-inch piece Turmeric – 1 teaspoon Red chilli powder – 1/2 tablespoon Curry leaves – 5 Whole green chilly split – 2 Method of preparation: Wash fresh drumstick leaves and squeeze the water off completely. Finely chop them and place it over a clean cloth to absorb water else; the dish will turn mushy if there is water content in it. In a blender, add grated coconut, garlic, cumin, turmeric, and red chilly powder and make a coarse paste. In a pan, on medium flame, add ghee. To this, splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves, chopped onions, and then add the leaves and saute. Once the leaves soften, add the coconut paste prepared earlier. Add salt, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes on a low flame. You can have this as a side dish with rice. While Moringa is beneficial for hypothyroidism, it should be noted that this Ayurvedic recipe cannot be a complete cure for hypothyroidism. However, hypothyroidism can be reversed with dietary and lifestyle changes and Ayurvedic medicines. You won’t have to depend on thyroid medicines any more! If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. We have the Best Ayurvedic Doctors in Trivandrum who is always glad to helps you . If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit.

Heat Relief: Simple Ayurvedic Hacks to Reduce Body Heat Fast

The body temperature varies for every human being. Some might have a warmer body temperature than what is considered normal, while some have it colder. Some people are sensitive to either heat or cold. Ayurveda classifies every human being into a certain Prakriti (mind-body constitution) based on the three biophysical energies – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Characteristics of people with heat in the body People with Pitta dominant bodies experience increased heat in their bodies. According to Ayurveda, Pitta means fire and the fire element is predominant in such people. They also experience conditions, such as acid reflux, heartburn, soft stools, etc. Some also experience heat boils on different parts of the body and mouth ulcers. You can also feel the heat on the top of the head of people with Pitta-dominant bodies. They might also have body temperatures higher than what is considered normal. How to reduce heat in the body? There are two concepts in Ayurveda: Bhumi desha (external environment) and deha desha (internal environment). In the seasons when the external environment is hot, there are chances for the human body to feel hot internally as well. That is why people with heat in the body experience exaggerated heat in summer. It happens due to the interaction between bhumi desha and deha desha. The ancient Ayurvedic text Sharngadhara Samhita (Madhyama, Chapter 2, Verse 7) recommends a very quick hack to reduce the body. It is known as Dhanyaka Himam, which is a cold coriander infusion. Ingredients Crushed coriander seeds – 8g Water – 50ml Mishri (rock sugar) – to taste Preparation and how to consume Mix crushed coriander seeds and water. Cover and leave the mixture overnight. Next morning, filter it, add mishri to taste and drink on an empty stomach. Dhanyaka Himam reduces body heat, burning sensation, and excessive thirst. It also cleanses the channels and is good for Pitta Prakriti. This is a quick hack for people with heat in the body. But, in cases of people with aggressive body heat (which might be due to imbalanced Agni and other doshas, in Ayurvedic terms), you may have to go for a complete correction treatment involving lifestyle, herbs, and food. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram.

Medicine Fact -What’s Really Inside Commercial Drugs

Perfect Medicine Competition It is a market situation where brands compete with each other purely on price. Whichever medicine brand offers a slightly lower price than the others, consumers prefer to buy from that brand. Most of the medicine manufacturing brands (Ayurvedic & Allopathic) face this situation. This also means that manufacturers have to ‘cut corners’ to meet the pricing advantage to stay ahead of competition. Cutting corners can happen in many fronts – by adding lesser quantities of expensive ingredients, using cheaper, look-alike alternatives, producing in bulk to achieve economies of scale reducing the quality, etc. Doctors use an expensive ayurvedic herb, such as ativisha, to treat digestive conditions (it costs up to $49 for 10g). Most often this is replaced by its less expensive alternative ‘Musta’ in formulations manufactured commercially. Every Ayurvedic doctor is trained to make medicines for his patients from scratch, unlike other medical systems. The government also allows licensed Ayurvedic doctors to dispense medicines made by them to their patients. So if your Ayurvedic doctor prescribes his/ her own medicines always choose that. It may be a little expensive, or less fancy or may not be as readily available compared to commercial brands, but there will be an ‘elephant and ant’ difference in the effectiveness. Medicine Rights Every patient has the right to know what goes into the medicine. Hence exercise your rights to ask your Ayurvedic doctor on the ingredients. My pro-tip: Ask your doctor to prescribe herbal medicines over medicines with minerals as the latter needs many levels of purification to be safe. Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing is a multibillion-dollar industry. I am not saying all manufacturing companies do the same, however it is important to exercise caution as a patient. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram.

Do you have Hypothyroidism?

What is hypothyroidism ? We say in Ayurveda that food is medicine. I’ll tell you about one such food that can be used as medicine for hypothyroidism. This is a replacement for the medication you’re taking. However, this is one food that you should include in your diet on a daily basis. Moringa, known as Shigro in Ayurveda, has long drumsticks and fresh leaves. It has several benefits, including treating hypothyroidism. Here’s everything you’ll need: Washed fresh drumstick leaves (3 bunches around 500 g) Ghee/coconut oil – 1 tablespoon Mustard seeds – 1/4 teaspoon Cumin seeds – 1/4 teaspoon Grated coconut – quarter to half cup Onion – 1 small Garlic – 3 one-inch piece Turmeric – 1 teaspoon Red chilli powder – 1/2 tablespoon Curry leaves – 5 Whole green chilly split – 2 Here’s what to do: Wash and thoroughly squeeze fresh drumstick leaves. Finely chop them and place them over a clean cloth to absorb water; otherwise, the dish will become mushy if there is any water in it. Make a coarse paste with the grated coconut, garlic, cumin, turmeric, and red chilly powder in a blender. Heat ghee in a pan over medium heat. Splutter mustard seeds, curry leaves, and chopped onions into this, then add the leaves and sauté. When the leaves have softened, add the coconut paste you made earlier. Cook for 10-15 minutes on low heat, covered with a lid. Have this as a side dish with rice. Hypothyroidism is a treatable condition that can be improved with Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle changes. You are not required to take hypothyroidism medicines for the rest of your life. If you are suffering from thyroid, you can take our Thyroid Reversal Program. You can also join our other Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram. … Continue reading Do you have Hypothyroidism?

Plum – The One Ayurvedic fruit you can have everyday

According to Ayurveda, eating too many fruit is bad for you. You must limit your fruit consumption. I’ve previously discussed Amla, grapes, and pomegranate, and how all of these fruits are extremely beneficial to us in a variety of ways. Today, I’d like to introduce you to a fruit that is not only healthy, but also does not increase any of the three Doshas. It is remarkably easy to digest, and anyone can consume it without regard for how it affects digestion or whether it is hot or cold. Ripe Plum is the name of that fruit. The one that is very ripe and sweet, but not sour. It is a magical fruit that is suitable for everyone. In Ayurveda, plums have several health benefits depends on their properties, which were considered to cool, hydrate, and detoxify. Here’s a closer look at the Ayurvedic benefits of plums: Balancing Doshas Plums are good for balancing Vata dosha due to their cooling and hydrating nature. The cooling effectiveness of plum can balance Pitta dosha which is related with heat and inflammation. You can consume plums, due to their light and slightly acidic nature, to avoid the Kapha if you have excess mucus. 2. Digestive Health Plums are rich in dietery fiber which helps in healthy digestion and regular bowel movement. Plums helps in promoting gut health. The natural laxative properties of plums helps in detoxifying the body by flushing out toxins through digestive system 3. Rich in Nutrients Plums contain different kinds of antioxidants such as vitamin C and polyphenols, which fight off oxidative stress for overall health. They contain vital vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and iron, all of which participate in numerous functions of the body. 4. Skin Health Plums are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help in healthy skin; they help in hydration and reduce oxidative damage. They can be useful in fostering good, glowing skin. 5. Immunity The vitamin C content of plums strengthens the immune system, thereby increasing its capacity to fight against infections and diseases How to Eat The fresh plum can be consumed as a snack, added in salads, or blended together in smoothies. The fresh juice of plum is refreshing and hydrating, but since it contains natural sugar, it should be consumed in moderation. The important thing is, you don’t overdo it. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram.

My Secret Ayurvedic Hair Mask

For hair growth and shiny hair, this is my go-to hair mask with a secret Ayurvedic ingredient! Here is how to make it: Soak 3 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds overnight and make a paste with a little water. Add a whole egg (you can also use flaxseeds as replacement, but egg is egg) Add 1 table spoon yoghurt Add half tablespoon hair oil of your choice (optional, if your hair is very dry) Then add the secret ingredient! Part your hair into smaller sections, first apply along the roots, over the scalp and then on the length of the hair. Wondering what’s my secret ingredient? It’s licorice powder, and only 10g will do. Licorice is extremely good for hair growth, hair shine and also works an amazing cleanser for the scalp! Try this hair mask and let me know.. If you want to improve your hair health, you can take our skin and hair care program. You can also join our other Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. We have the Best Ayurvedic Doctors in Trivandrum who is always glad to helps you . If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram. You can also visit.

Fruits for breakfast is not a good idea, Why ?- 4 reasons

You might have seen many sources in the internet suggesting fruits for breakfast as part of a healthy diet. But Ayurveda has a different opinion. Fruits for breakfast is not a good idea, Why ? #1 Mornings are cold, dewy, and moist Fruits are cold, moist and slimy as well. What is cold, moist and slimy in our body? Kapha! #2 Fruits are sweet, heavy and cold. What is sweet, heavy and cold in our body? Kapha! #3 6am to 10am is Kapha Kala This is the time Kapha is at its peak – think excessive mucous, blocked nose, runny nose, and all upper respiratory tract symptoms. #4 The Sun has just risen Our digestive fire mimics the Sun. We do not have sharp digestive in the mornings. Hence we may not be able to digest cold, sweet, heavy foods at this time. Then what is a good breakfast? Anything warm, light and freshly cooked. Example, oatmeal, porridges, rice or chickpea flour, pancakes, stewed apples, green gram pancakes etc. These are not only light but also easy to digest. When is the best time to have fruits? Between 10am to 4pm (Pitta Kala) before or after a meal, but not with a meal. Trust me, if you do this, your gut will thank you! Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, heathy and disease-free life. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram. You can also Visit

Rice Done Right !

I get asked this question a lot by my non-Indian patients. Here is the traditional Ayurvedic way of cooking rice. Rice is a medicine in Ayurveda. It is the lightest food for digestion and also the first food mentioned in Ayurveda. But, how to cook it ? Here’s a step by step for y’all. Step 1: Soak rice for at least about an hour. I recommend Sona Masoori or Ambe Mohar varieties for everyday use. Step 2: Boil Water You can take twice or thrice the quantity of rice. Step 3: Add soaked rice to boiling water. Cook covered. Step 4: Cook till bubbles. Once it bubbles, remove the cover and cook rice until it turns soft. Step 5: Strain the excess water out. Enjoy with a side of daal and cooked vegetables. Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, healthy and disease-free life. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram.

Ashtachurna

What is Ashtachurna? Ashtachurna is a simple Ayurvedic medicine, always a part of my travel kit. It helps improve digestion and the appetite. This is a recipe from Ashtanga Hridayam, mentioned in the treatment of digestive disorders. Recipe: Dry Ginger Black Pepper Long Pepper Carom Seeds Rock Salt Cumin Seeds Black Cumin Seeds Asafoetida Gently pound and dry roast the ingredients separately, powder them, sieve and mix. The Ashtachurna is ready! How to consume? It is best consumed half to one teaspoon with the first bowl of rice during lunch. You can also have this mixed with my buttermilk recipe. One last thing, instead of buying this from a brand, make it at home! Doctor Rekha is a 4th generation Ayurvedic Medicine Doctor (BAMS) living in between Dubai and India who has patients from around the globe who believes that the wisdom of Ayurveda can help everyone lead a happy, heathy and disease-free life. You can join our Health Programs for mind and body detox. And If you are struggling with any health issues, you can book a consultation with us or give us a message via WhatsApp at +91 79074 89839. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also follow me on Instagram.

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