Ayurvedic Recipes

Lime Rice (Nimbu Chawal)

 

nimbu chawal

Lime rice

Indian name: Nimbu Chawal

Taste: Madhura Rasa (sweet)
Quality: Snigdha (unctuous), Laghu (light)
Potency: Sheeta (cold)
Post-digestive effect: Madhura

Ingredients:

Quantity Type Item
1 Cup White basmati rice
2 Cups Water
1 TBS Urad dal or Mung dal
½ Tsp Mustard Seeds
½ Tsp Turmeric powder
2 TBS Ground coconut
1 Pinch Hing
1 Tsp Whole cumin seeds
1 Tsp Fresh lime juice(or more to taste)
2 TBS Ghee
1 Tsp Salt

Preparation

  • Cook rice with water for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Sauté spices (except for salt) and the dal in melted ghee.
  • Mix rice and sautéed spice mix together.

Add lime juice and salt after taking the mixture down from the gas.
Serve hot.

Medicinal Properties of Lime Rice: This recipe is cooling in nature and thus pacifies Pitta Dosha. It is easy to digest and might increase Vata, which is why it is balanced with lime, cumin seeds, hing (asafoetida), and mustard seeds. It is good for diarrhea, anorexia, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This recipe is also good for post-surgical patients.

People who have a tendency for constipation should avoid eating rice.

Dosha Analysis: It pacifies Pitta and increases Vata Dosha.

Benefits:
Balances all three Doshas. Both ginger and cumin stimulate and aid in digestion. Coconut(cool, sweet) balances the Pitta raised by lime juice ( sour). Lime Rice or Lemon Rice is a very balanced ayurvedic dish. It balances all three doshas viz., Vata, Pita and Kapha.

About the author

Dr. Ram Mani Bhandari

Experienced holistic doctor, healer, teacher, and writer
Specialized in Ayurvedic detox (Panchakarma)
Trained in India and Nepal, the original lands of Ayurveda
Graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) from the Institute of Medicine at Tribhuwan University in Kathmandu.
Professional member of Australasian Association of Ayurveda (AAA)
Owner of Sunshine Ayurveda

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