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Horse Gram: A Traditional Health Food Gaining Popularity Now
All of are familiar with grams, but you may not be quite familiar with horse gram. For the uninitiated, we would like to inform you that it is a legume that has a variety of uses in Ayurveda. It is an essential food item and has several nutrients to keep you fit. It is abundant in proteins, vitamins, antioxidants and minerals like phosphorus, iron, calcium, etc. It has a high carb content but is low in fats. The legume also has low sodium content.
It is an essential crop in South India and is one of the primary ingredients of rasam. Having horse gram can provide you with energy and improve the strength of your muscles. It can also fortify your bones and help in purifying your blood. This superfood can also enhance your metabolic rate and finds its way into many recipes in South India.
What are the Benefits of Horse Gram? How Can it Be Used?
The horse gram is usually popular in the southern parts of the country. It has abundant nutrients that can help you keep fit. It brings several benefits to your body. We will discuss some of these benefits.
Works against Diarrhoea
If you are bothered by diarrhoea, you can try this unique solution. Yes, you heard it right! Horse gram contains fibre that can help by soaking the additional fluids in your stomach and the intestine. It also improves the digestion and also normalises the bowel movements and soothes the effects of loose motion. The fibre helps to soothe the intestines along with the digestive system. It is good to have the pre-soaked seeds early in the morning.
Ideal for Fighting against Diabetes
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology had found out that the unprocessed raw horse gram seeds contain anti-hyperglycemic properties. They can also help in reducing insulin resistance.The seeds can help to minimise the insulin that is formed in the body. It can control blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of carbohydrate digestion. Horse gram can also control Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Some people have it raw in an empty stomach. Some people add it in salads as well.
Used against Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is a disease of the eye that can cause problems for the patient. Horse gram can be an effective treatment as rose water may not be available all the time. Horse gram contains many antioxidants that can work against eye disease and provide some relief.
You can soak some horse gram seeds in a bowl of water overnight. When you wake up in the morning, you must strain the seeds and take the water to wash your eyes. You can soak enough seeds to wash your eyes thrice daily. It is bound to give the patient some relief. The eyes will be soothed, and the irritation will be lessened.
Works against Common Cold
If you have a common cold, you may also take the help of horse gram. According to Ayurveda, if you have horse seeds, you will feel better. It can also be recommended if the patient has asthma and bronchitis. It can open the nasal tract, and the mucous membrane can be softened. This way, it can ensure that breathing becomes easier for the patient. Having horse gram seeds can boost the metabolism in people and strengthen the immunity also.
Helps in Weight Loss
Ayurveda is among the ancient sciences that believe in natural ingredient for curing diseases. According to Ayurveda, one of the easier ways to weight loss is to have horse gram every day. You can have it with some cumin seeds and mix with a glass of water. You can have it twice every day.
Horse gram is laden with nutrients, including minerals, fibre and vitamins. It is also high in proteins and amino acids which help in keeping yourself healthy. There is a balance in negative energy too. As it is low in calories, you can have it to lessen hunger.
Prevents Constipation
Most of us do not lead a healthy life and have all sorts of junk and oily food. As a result, we are victims of constipation. It can also be caused due to lesser intake of water and having low fibre content in the daily intake. Now, horse gram is rich in fibre that ensures that the gut is cleansed. It will help to reduce constipation in you. It can also reduce intestinal worms and belching. You can have it with salads and having the juice can also help.
Prevents Menstrual Problems
Menstruation is a problem that women have to face, and you may wish to have a soothing remedy. Having horse grams can provide the needed soothing effect. It can also be helpful for women who have excessive bleeding. You may also have it if you have irregular periods.
The horse gram seeds contain a high level of iron in it. It helps in boosting the level of haemoglobin in the blood. It is one of the remedies suggested in Ayurveda to reduce the problems faced during menstruation. You may have it with sprouts or take a spoon of horse gram powder in the morning.
Prevents the Effects of Cholesterol
Horse gram is known to be beneficial against cholesterol. It can help in bringing down the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. The level of cholesterol in the body can be brought down. You can have it twice every day and it will help to remove the cholesterol from your body.
Take it daily for good results.
Prevents Piles
Piles is caused as an outcome of constipation for a long time. The veins in the rectum get swollen and lead to a painful sensation in the anus. Horse gram contains lots of fibre that help in curing the swelling in the anus. You can soak it in water overnight and have it in the morning. If you have it regularly, you would not need any other medication.
Works against Skin Problems
Horse gram has several benefits and can also be used to protect your skin. You can apply as a face pack that can reduce any boils and rashes. They have antimicrobial benefits. It can also act as an antioxidant and help to nourish the skin. You can soak the seeds in water overnight and have it as a face pack the next day. It will help to remove the dead skin and boost the collagen in the skin. It will also protect against the attack by free radicals.
Ideal against Urinary Discharge
Few patients may have a thick and smelly urinary discharge. It can be an embarrassment, but the horse gram can work against it. There can be irritation in the vagina or some pain in the cervix as well. The horse gram is beneficial to such patients. It can help to reduce such discharge. You may soak the seeds overnight and then boil the seeds and have the water.
Are there any Side Effects?
It is good to have horse gram, but you must avoid it in some cases. You must not have it if you are suffering from gout. It is because it may lead to a rise in the uric acid levels, which is anyways at a high level around the joints. Those who are suffering from gastric ulcers or hyperacidity must avoid having horse gram altogether. Ayurveda says that having it may cause acidity.
In general, having legumes can increase body heat. So, it is suggested that pregnant women may have it in moderate amounts. It can also aggravate bleeding disorders. Hence women who have heavy periods must avoid it. It can also irritate piles and nasal bleeding. Those who have shilajit regularly must avoid it as it can lead to pitta dosha. Those who are trying to find a remedy for infertility must stay away from it as it can reduce the sperm count.
Few Recipes using Horse Gram
Horse gram is known to be a superfood due to the several benefits it brings to your health. You must not consume it in excessive quantities but having it in moderate amounts can boost your health. But how can you include it in your daily intake? Here are a few recipes for you.
Kulith/Kollu Dal
Horse gram dal is easy to make and has all the nutritional benefits. It has the highest protein content among the lentils.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Horse Gram Dal 1 spoon Ghee
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- ½ spoon cumin seeds
- 1 spoon turmeric powder
- 1 spoon red chilli powder
- ¼ spoon hing
- 1 spoon coriander powder
- ½ spoon mustard seeds
- 1 spoon garlic and ginger paste
- 3 cups of water
- Salt, to taste
How to make
- First, you must soak the horse gram in a cup of water overnight. Take the soaked horse gram in a pressure cooker. Add the turmeric powder and some salt to taste. Also, add three cups of water and cook for around 6 – 7 whistles.
- Heat the ghee in a pan on the medium flame. When the ghee melts, add the cumin seeds and the mustard seeds. Let it crackle for some time. After this, add the hing and cook for some time.
- Then add the garlic and ginger paste and cook on the medium flame. Sauté it till the aroma goes away within a minute.
- Add the chopped onions and tomatoes along with the red chilli powder, coriander powder and the salt. Then cover the pan and cook for around three minutes.
- Now, add the mashed horse gram and put it on sim for around four minutes.
- Once it is done, you may garnish with some coriander leaves and serve.
Kulith Salad
Salads must be had every day, and including horse gram can provide several unique benefits for you. You can include paneer to this unique salad that will increase the nutrients.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup horse gram, boiled and sprouted
- ¾ cup tomatoes, chopped
- 2 spoons lemon juice
- ½ cup paneer, chopped
- 1 spoon green chillies, chopped
- 3 spoons coriander, chopped
How to make
- You have to soak ¼ cup of horse gram in water and keep it overnight. Next, drain the water and cover it with a wet cloth. Keep it for around 12 hours for sprouting the horse gram.
- Chop the paneer, chillies, coriander and the tomatoes.
- Mix the ingredients and add the lemon juice.
- You may also add some mayonnaise if you like.
Horse Gram Rasam and Sundal
Horse gram is nutritious and has several benefits for the body. It has a high protein and calcium content and can improve the taste of your diet.
Ingredients
- 2 cups horse gram, soaked overnight
- 2-3 spoons sambar or rasam powder
- ¼ cup coconut, shredded
- ½ cup horse gram, cooked along with the water
- ½ spoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Tamarind juice, soaked in water
- ½ spoon mustard seeds
- 2 spoons coconut oil
- Few curry leaves
- Few pinches of Hing
- 1 ½ cups cooked horse gram
- 1/2 spoon mustard seeds
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- 2 red chillies
- 1/2 spoon urad dal
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 spoons oil
- Few curry leaves
For Rasam
Tempering for Rasam:
For Sundal
How to make
- The horse gram must be soaked overnight. You must cook in a pressure cooker for 3 – 4 whistles.
- Take the water from the cooked horse gram along with ½ cup of the cooked horse gram along with the sambhar powder, coconut and turmeric powder in a blender. Add some salt for taste. Blend these ingredients well.
- You have to boil the tamarind extract in a pot for some time and then add the blended paste. Boil for some time.
- Heat some oil and add the tempering ingredients. Pour some sizzling tadka on the rasam.
- Take a pan and heat some oil.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add tadka items, like urad dal, mustard seeds, curry leaves, red chillies and fry.
- Next, you must add the chopped onions to the pan and fry for some time.
- Finally, add around 1 ½ cups of cooked and drained horse gram and stir fry. Add the shredded coconuts and stir for some more time.
Rasam
Sundal
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Make the Magic Legume Horse Gram a Part of Your Daily Diet in 2021
All of us our making healthy choices these days, especially after experiencing the havoc that the pandemic has wreaked on us. While making routine physical activity a daily part of our lives, it is prudent to make healthy eating choices too. Make horse gram a daily part of your diet and reap its many benefits!