Shashtika Shaali

Shashtika Shaali 

Medicinal Rice – Unknown treasure 

Rice is Asia’s most deeply revered treasure. Rice is life for thousands of millions of people. It is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage, spiritual, traditions and norms of Asians. Rice over the centuries has sculpted the culture and traditions of India.

We find information on rice culture covering the last 5000 years in Vedas, Samhitas, Puranas, Kautilya’s Arthasastra, Buddhist and Jain literature. Several references of its medicinal value in context of human health are made by Ayurveda Acharyas-  Charaka and Susruta. The uses of rice in traditional medicine are closely interwoven with its use as a food.

Karnataka too had host of medicinal rice varieties that were cultivated many decades back. The versatility in climate, soil, topography and method of cultivation in Karnataka has made the state a source of diversity in rice. There is still an ancient practice of utilizing paddy varieties for medicinal purpose in the state, though it has not been highlighted. Among the medicinal rice varieties, Karibattha, Kalame, Karikalave, Doddabaira nellu, Kari gajivili and Sannakki are some of the prominent varieties.

Karibatha grown in Varada river basin of Sagara and Soraba region, is used to cure cure Herpes (Sarpa suttu). Also this rice is pound and mixed with jaggery and consumed as a tonic to keep the body cool. For any other skin problems a paste is prepared using flour of Karibatha variety which is mixed with red soil and lemon juice and applied to the affected area.The specialty of this variety is it can grow despite being submerged in flood water for a month.

‘Kalame’ grown in coastal region of the state is highly tasty and is used in curing piles or haemorrhoids. This variety can be stored for a longer period ‘for older the paddy more is its medicinal value’. Karikalave is a special variety among the medicinal diversity and is specific to Gulbarga and Bidar regions. Usually pregnant women and mothers are not fed with rice. But in these regions there is a custom of feeding this particular rice variety as it has medicinal value and can control acidity and cold. As it has high calcium content this variety is consumed by nursing mothers.

Sannakki is yet another variety that has medicinal value and is used to cure Diarrehea in children. It is grown around areas of Sirsi and Mundagodu of North Canara District.The variety is highly fragrant and ideal for preparation of Biryani, Payasam and Kesari bath. ‘Athikarya’ is yet another oldest variety that finds references in our folk traditions. There is an old saying that the variety was considered a sacred crop, as the belief goes that the grains of this variety were held fist full during oath taking. This variety is also used for cure diarrhea .

Ambe more is grown in rainfed areas of Belgaum district by very few farmers. When cooked rice has a pleasant aroma and is very soft. Porridge made from this variety is given to sick people in villages. The dryland paddy variety ‘Dodda baira nellu ’ grown in Bangalore Rural and Kolar districts is popular for its curative values for various diseases. A traditional sweet ‘burfi’ is prepared by pounding the rice and extracting milk, to which jaggery is added. Rice of the same variety is used by adding curd for curing diarrhea. Karinellu is another variety of Kanakapura taluk, Bangalore district that is used as medicine for jaundice.

Medicinal Rice  lab  test results

Sl no	Variety name	Protein %	Fat %	Carbohydrates %	Crude fibre%	Calcium%	Phosphorous %	Iron (mg)	Energy/kcal/100g
1	Ambe mohar	6.47	1.00	78.84	0.97	0.29	0.31	0.8	350.24
2	Doddabayra nellu	7.04	2.18	76.28	1.07	0.20	0.23	0.8	352.9
3	Navara	8.12	2.14	78.18	1.05	0.42	0.48	1.2	364.46
4	Kagisali	6.67	1.89	80.84	0.66	0.26	0.24	0.6	367.05
5	Karikalave	5.30	0.29	81.76	0.76	0.30	0.39	0.7	350.85
6	Ankura sona (Polished Hybrid variety)	5.86	0.15	84.59	0.16	0.10	0.09	0.2	363.15

 From the above stats, it is clear that the polished rice or hybrid rice has less Iron, calcium, fibre and protein as compared to other traditional red rice varieties.

Medicinal rice is available at selected outlets. One of the places where you can get all the above varieties of medicinal rice:

Sahaja Samrudha Organic Producer Company Ltd

No 569, Sajjan Rao Road , Near Trishal Lodge ,

V.V.Puram, Bangalore- 560 004 Phone: 080-26612315/ 9880862058

Email: info@sahjaorganics.com

www.sahajaorganics.com