Navara rice is now gaining popularity in Kerala. When more people are drawn towards health and healthy habits, people choose healthy rice too. Navara rice, also known as Njavara rice in Malayalam, is a short-grain rice known for its medicinal purposes. It improves defense mechanism and strengthens body. Karkidaka Kanji (Medicinal Congee prepared using Ayurveda medicines in the month of Karkidakam) includes navara rice as one of the main ingredients. The rice is also known for its religious significance in many places and a part of Kerala culture too
Navara rice provides so many health benefits. Its healing properties and presence of essential nutrients make it an excellent choice for overall health. Let us list a few more health and medicinal benefits of Navara rice.
Navara Rice – High in nutritious content
This rice is known by different names in different parts of Kerala – Navara, Namara, Nakara, Puncha etc. After removing the outer skin, this rice is red colour. Ayurveda defines this rice as a highly antioxidant medicine. It contains Vitamin B1, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium in abundance. It protects your body from diseases and also provides energy.
Navara rice helps in the growth and strengthening of body muscles and bones. It helps in the better absorption of iron and healing of wounds. Vitamin C and riboflavin help with growth and energy production in children. Protein content is also higher compared to other varieties of rice. It aids in treating diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating.
Fatigue, asthma, skin & stomach related issues, loss of strength, digestion, respiratory issues and lung disorders – Navara rice has many factors which can provide a solution to all these problems. It’s also rich in fibre, thus giving a solution to constipation and gut health. It is also used in many Ayurvedic medicines given to ladies during the postpartum period.
Some natural remedies using Navara rice
1. Take one glass of buttermilk and take equal amount of rice husk. It is a good solution for diarrhoea.
2. Eating cooked navara rice with less-sour buttermilk and curry leaves is a good solution for Acid Reflux and piles.
3. Take three big spoons of navara rice, a piece of palm jaggery, sufficient ghee and water. Prepare payasam (kheer) using these ingredients. It increases milk in lactating mothers.
4. Washing hair using navara rice boiled water is a good remedy for hair loss.
5. You can use the steam of cooking navara rice as a remedy for body pain and frozen feel of the body.
You can prepare different dishes using Navara rice
Karkidaka Kanji prepared during the religious Ramayana month using Navara rice
Apart from using it as normal rice, you can prepare upma, congee by adding milk/coconut milk (Navara Paal Kanji), kurukk etc. You can prepare kurukku (a form of porridge) by grinding the rice to flour, and later cooking it by adding some form of sugar, preferably jaggery, palm jaggery, black sugar candy etc. It can improve weight in children.
Soak three big spoons of Navara rice in water, later dry it and fry it. Boil sufficient water and add sufficient flour. Keep stirring to avoid lumps and sticking to the bottom. When the porridge thickens, add jaggery or palm jaggery for sweetness. Put off the flame, and add a little cardamom powder for flavour. That is complete food for kids above 6 months. You can also give it to older children.
Navara Rice is a recipient of a Geographical Indication
It’s a name or sign given to a particular product that owns distinct traits, and it normally corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. A symbol of pride and uniqueness, it’s identified across the world, and this seal is something similar to a patent. Which Kerala products have received GI – The seal of pride? Jeerakasala & Gandhakasala Rice, Alappuzha Green Cardamom, Pathiyan Jaggery, Palakkadan Matta Rice and Navara Rice too, are cultivated in certain regions of Palakkad district. Do you want to know in detail about GI and which other products from Kerala own this tag? Click and read, and leave your responses too.
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