rice Archives - Doctor Rekha

Imagine a therapy that combines the nourishing qualities of rice and milk to rejuvenate your body and alleviate various ailments. This is precisely what Njavarakizhi offers – a unique Ayurvedic treatment that harnesses the power of nature to promote healing and well-being. What is Njavarakizhi ? ‘Njavara’ refers to a particular variety of rice harvested in 60 days, renowned for its medicinal properties. ‘Kizhi’ means poultice or pouch made of cloth. Njavarakizhi is a rice poultice used to treat several health conditions. Navarakizhi, also known as Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda, is a specialized Ayurvedic therapy that combines the nourishing properties of milk and a unique type of rice called Shashtika Shali or Njavara rice. This treatment induces sweat, thus helping build muscle strength, restore the body, and decrease pain and stiffness caused by different musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Unlike other Ayurvedic Swedana (sweating) therapies, Njavarakizhi also delivers deep nutrition to the tissues, making it ideal for rejuvenation. The Unique Ingredients: Njavara Rice and Milk Njavara rice steamed in milk and particular herbal decoctions constitutes the chief ingredient of the poultice or Njavarakizhi. As a nourishing medium, the milk also bolsters the therapy’s ability to strengthen and restore all of the body tissues, with specific emphasis on muscle and joint tissue. Njavara rice is a unique grain that is rich in essential amino acids, antioxidants and vital nutrients that help repair damaged tissues. Unlike regular rice, Njavara is known for its Vata and Pitta-balancing properties, making it a preferred choice for conditions caused by excess dryness and heat in the body. The Njavarakizhi Procedure Njavarakizhi is a type of Pinda Sweda therapy, a specialized Ayurvedic sudation treatment. One of the key Pinda Sweda benefits is its ability to deeply nourish and rejuvenate the muscles while also relieving pain and stiffness Njavarakizhi involves a very systematic and well-defined 3 step procedure: Purvakarma (Preparation) The first stage in which the body receives a full-body massage with medicated oils to get it ready for the main treatment. The massage relaxes the muscles and opens the channels for high absorption of the therapeutic substances. The medicated oil is chosen based on the individual’s Dosha imbalance. For instance, Bala Tailam is often used for nerve-related disorders, while Dhanwantharam Tailam is used for post-surgical recovery and joint pains. Pradhana Karma (Main procedure) Here, the poultices prepared by filling the cooked Njavara rice mixture are heated and applied to the body. The therapist gently massages the whole body with the warm boluses paying attention to the specific areas that need attention. The heat and healing nature of the poultices allows deep penetration into the tissues, encouraging sweating and eliminating toxins. Each session lasts between 45-60 minutes, and the treatment is performed in synchronized rhythmic movements to enhance its therapeutic effects. The continuous application of warm herbal rice boluses helps in cellular rejuvenation, improving circulation, and enhancing metabolic functions. Paschat Karma (Post procedure) The remaining paste is removed, followed by a gentle massage with medicated oils. It is important to take enough rest to help the body integrate the healing effects. After the therapy, it is advised to drink warm herbal water or light herbal tea to support detoxification. Following a Pitta and Vata-pacifying diet also enhances the results of the treatment. Benefits of Njavarakizhi As an effective Ayurvedic therapy for joint pain, Njavarakizhi reduces inflammation, improves circulation and strengthens muscles, making it beneficial for arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. Improves muscle strength: The treatment provides nutrition and strength to muscle tissues making it a most sought after treatment for muscle weakness or atrophy. Revitalizes the body: Njavarakizhi rejuvenates the body by promoting blood circulation and detoxification. Hence it imparts a sense of overall well-being. Reduces joint pain: The herbal decoctions used in the therapy possess anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint pain and stiffness, providing relief in conditions like arthritis. Enhances skin texture: Regular Njavarakizhi sessions can make your skin firmer and more radiant. Balances Doshas: It helps in balancing the body doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and thereby maintaining health and harmony. Boosts energy levels: Unlike regular oil massages, Njavarakizhi strengthens the nervous system and restores physical energy, making it beneficial for those experiencing chronic fatigue or weakness. Supports digestion: The treatment has a positive impact on gut health by improving Agni (digestive fire), making it useful for individuals with weak digestion and poor nutrient absorption. Njavarakizhi for Various Health Conditions Njavarakizhi is a deeply rejuvenating Ayurvedic therapy that provides relief from various musculoskeletal, neurological, and degenerative conditions. Below are some key health conditions where this treatment is highly useful: Arthritis (Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) Njavarakizhi is a highly effective Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis, particularly for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. By improving joint mobility and reducing inflammation, this therapy helps patients manage arthritis symptoms naturally. Njavarakizhi helps in: Reducing joint stiffness – The warmth of the herbal poultice goes deep into the joints thereby improving flexibility. Alleviating pain and inflammation – Milk and other herbal decoctions act as painkillers and soothe inflamed joints. Strengthening the joints and muscles – The therapy provides deep nourishment due to the presence of strong ingredients like milk and rice. Both of these have the property of slowing down the degeneration of joints and muscles. For all these benefits, it is highly beneficial for people with chronic joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Muscular dystrophy and muscle weakness Muscular dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness. Njavarakizhi helps in: Strengthening weak muscles – The therapy nourishes the tissues and improves muscle strength. Preventing further degeneration – Regular sessions slow down muscle loss. Improving mobility and flexibility – Heated medicated boluses relax the muscles and promote movement. Paralysis (Hemiplegia, paraplegia and facial paralysis) Njavarakizhi is commonly used for patients recovering from strokes, Bell’s Palsy or nerve damage… Continue reading Struggling with Pain and Stiffness? Try Njavarakizhi!

Once a staple Ayurvedic food, Khichdi (so-called ‘kitchari’ on the internet) has become the trendy new superfood for detoxification, weight loss, and digestive healing. But like many health fads, it has some truths and myths. There are many health benefits of Khichdi, but many of our beliefs regarding Khichdi have been exaggerated and misunderstood. So, what does it offer, and what are some of the myths we can bust along the way? Let’s explore! What is Khichdi (‘kitchari’) ? Khichdi is a dish made of lentils, rice, spices, vegetables, and ghee. It is a comforting, easily digestible dish that makes it a great dinner option. Everyone calls it the ideal detox food, but there is more to Khichdi than that. Khichdi or ‘Kitchari’ – What’s in a Name ? Let’s start with the name because it’s a bit of a mix-up! Traditionally, the term in ancient Ayurvedic texts is Krsara. In Hindi, it’s known as Khichdi, a comforting, nourishing dish loved throughout India. But then came Kitchari—a name popularised online, though it’s not quite the traditional name. Where did it come from? We don’t know. After finishing six years of college, I started reading about Ayurveda online for the first time. I was surprised to see the word ‘Kitchari’ everywhere as a name synonymous with Ayurveda. Going through my textbooks all again, I realised how much online content and Western Ayurvedic books diverged from traditional sources. They all mention ‘Kitchari’ but the information is often inaccurate. Myth #1 : Basmati Rice is the Best Choice for Khichdi By far the highest myth regarding Khichdi (‘kitchari’) is that Basmati rice is the perfect rice for Khichdi. People seek basmati rice for its pleasant fragrance and long grains. But Ayurveda considers it the most inferior quality of rice. People consider basmati to be light and dry, lacking the grounding and nourishing qualities needed for proper digestion and balance. Ayurveda prefers sona masoori rice for its grounding and nourishing properties. Sona Masoori is medium-grain rice richer in fiber and is closer to the Ayurvedic approach of keeping the Agni or digestive fire balanced. This is necessary for nutrient absorption. Myth #2 : Any Oil Can Be Used to Make Khichdi Coconut oil is heavy, cold and difficult to digest. Khichdi, a light food, cooks best in ghee. Ghee is nourishing and considered as good fat. I don’t know why modern Ayurvedic texts associate coconut oil with Kerela and Ayurveda. Yes, it grows here in abundance and has numerous benefits, but coconut oil is not to be consumed internally if you must keep your digestion perfect. MYTH #3: Khichdi is the Only Ayurvedic Cleansing Food Khichdi is excellent as a mono diet for detoxification. However, it is not the only choice that Ayurveda recommends. There are a variety of food options and you must choose the best based on your Dosha imbalances, Prakriti (body constitution) and health needs. Myth #4 : Khichdi is Ideal for Weight Loss No doubt, Khichdi can help with weight management but it’s not a miracle cure for weight loss. It is a low-calorie dish and helps digestion, which can indirectly contribute to losing weight when combined with a balanced lifestyle. However, focusing solely on Kitchari to lose weight may overlook other crucial aspects like exercise, balanced hydration, and an overall healthy lifestyle. It’s about long-term changes, not just a temporary diet fix. Myth #5 : Khichdi Has to be Boring and Bland It is a great meal choice for those recovering from an illness or having some sort of digestive discomfort, however, it does not need to be boring and tasteless. Ayurvedic Khichdi contains many spices, including cumin, ginger, asafoetida and turmeric, which make it a delectable dish. Each spice has a function, ranging from helping in digestion to absorption of nutrients. Myth #6 : You Can Eat ‘Kitchari’ Every Day Without Consequence It is safe for almost everyone and has a positive influence on health, but is typically recommended for specific periods or circumstances—such as during detox cleanses, illness, or digestive upset. If your body requires some variation or different nutrients, eating it every day can cause imbalances. You should listen to your body when it comes to food, and mix up what you eat to ensure that you cover the whole range of nutrients over time. MYTH #7 : Khichdi is Ideal for All Dosha Types Khichdi is a Dosha-balanced meal for the most part, but slight adaptations may be necessary to suit the individual body type. For example: Vata types can add more ghee for grounding and warmth. Pitta people should use cooling herbs such as coriander in Khichdi and be careful with black pepper. Kapha people must add some warming spices such as ginger to help stoke the fire. The authentic Ayurvedic Khichdi is light, easily digestible, and suitable for all Doshas, especially Vata. Served fresh and warm, it includes healthy fats to balance the cold and dry nature of Vata types. Myth #8 : ‘Kitchari’ is Just a Food, Not a Complete Health Practice While this is true, Ayurveda has more to say about it. Mindful eating, daily routine (Dinacharya), balanced lifestyle and adequate sleep are just as important as food. While Khichdi supports a gentle reset, its nourishing qualities are amplified when paired with Ayurveda’s other holistic practices. Myth #9 : Khichdi Can Cure Every Disease While Kitchari is therapeutic for digestion, it is not a panacea. Kitchari serves as an aid rather than a cure, supporting digestive strength and allowing the body to focus on healing naturally. Myth #10 : Khichdi can be Eaten Cold It is best enjoyed warm or hot, as it enhances digestion and Agni. Ayurvedic practice tends to reject cold or stale foods because they are harder to digest and cause toxin (Ama) build-up in the body. Warm… Continue reading Khichdi (Kitchari) Facts : Myths & Truths

“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 either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit us at our hospital.

Rice is medicine in Ayurveda. Also known as Anna, it is the first food mentioned in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, it is the lightest food to digest and has a sweet taste. It is a nourishing food, which is cooling in nature. Rice can also be with vegetables, pulses and nuts to make it healthier and more nutritious. It is one of the staple foods in many countries across the world, including India. It is an essential part of the Indian diet and symbolizes fertility, wealth and good health. Vata, Pitta, Kapha and Rice Many people consider it good for balancing Vata and Pitta, two of the three doshas. However, the nature of rice, which creates excess mucus in the body, makes overconsumption of it not considered ideal for Kapha. Eat that cooked well in plenty of water with a dollop of ghee added to balance Vata. Desserts prepared with rice and milk have a cooling nature, so you can consume them to balance Pitta. To balance Kapha, consuming a smaller quantity of it is recommended. If you are trying to balance Kapha in your body, dry roast the rice before cooking it in water to consume. According to Ayurveda, anytime is a good time to consume rice. Ayurveda recommends the consumption of old rice as It has an amazing healing effect on the body . There are also other different varieties of it, such as basmati , polished , unpolished , boiled , parboiled , etc. Nutrition Modern nutrition considers brown rice to be healthier as it is unprocessed, and comes with more nutrition and vitamins than other varities of it. It also has a lower glycemic index compared to the other types. However, Ayurveda prefers white over brown for daily consumption. Ayurveda is all about digestion. According to Ayurveda, the best time gap between meals is 1 Prahara, which is approximately three hours. Any food that stays in our body for more than 3 hours gets converted to undigested toxic waste or Ama. A rice with husk, for example, brown rice, has fibre in it. Any types without husk or lesser fibre content, such as white rice, digest easily and exit the system. Therefore, people find white rice to be light, easily digestible, recommended for daily consumption (nityasevaneeya), and they consider it a superior food. How to cook it in the right way? Here is the traditional Ayurvedic way of cooking rice. Wash rice in water until the water runs clear. Sona Masoori and Ambe Mohar are the most recommended for everyday use. Basmati is comparatively heavier and therefore, can be used once or twice a month. Then, soak it for at least an hour. Meanwhile, boil water. You can take the water twice or thrice the quantity of it. Once the water boils, add soaked rice to it, and cook it covered. When it bubbles, remove the cover and cook it until it turns soft. You can then strain the water out. Enjoy the it with a side of dal and cooked vegetables. If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram. … Continue reading Rice Battle – Which One Wins for Everyday Nutrition?

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. If you are struggling with any health issues, you can either book a consultation with us or send us a message via WhatsApp to +91 79074 89839. We have the best Ayurvedic doctors in Trivandrum who are always glad to help you. If you have any queries, contact us. You can also visit us at our hospital. You can also follow me on Instagram.

Cart

Tag: rice

Struggling with Pain and Stiffness? Try Njavarakizhi!

Khichdi (Kitchari) Facts : Myths & Truths

Kitchari Myths and the Truth About Its Ingredients

Rice Battle – Which One Wins for Everyday Nutrition?

Rice Done Right !

DROP ME A LINE

INVITE DR.REKHA FOR A TALK/EVENT

Quick Links