Brown rice
Brown Rice
Brown rice or “medical rice for health” is a variety of rice that has recently gained a lot of popularity. It is a whole grain rice with only the inedible outer cover removed and is considered as a nutritional powerhouse.
Brown rice has a beneficial role in weight loss due to the presence of dietary fiber. Fiber improves digestion and also keeps you feeling full over a long period of time that aids weight loss. Brown rice also helps control the blood sugar level due to its anti-diabetic activity by increasing the insulin secretion. It even helps to boost energy and keep the heart healthy.
According to Ayurveda, application of Brown rice water is beneficial for skin (face and neck) problems such as acne or pimples due to its Ropan (healing) property. Applying it on the skin also helps promote healing[2-6].
Brown rice has a beneficial role in weight loss due to the presence of dietary fiber. Fiber improves digestion and also keeps you feeling full over a long period of time that aids weight loss. Brown rice also helps control the blood sugar level due to its anti-diabetic activity by increasing the insulin secretion. It even helps to boost energy and keep the heart healthy.
According to Ayurveda, application of Brown rice water is beneficial for skin (face and neck) problems such as acne or pimples due to its Ropan (healing) property. Applying it on the skin also helps promote healing[2-6].
What are the synonyms of Brown rice?
Oryza sativa, Dhanya, Vrihi, Nivara, Chaval, Dhana, Cala, Chawl, Sali, Dhan, Rice, Paddy, Shalichokha, Bhata, Corava, Damgara, Coke, Chaval, Bhatto, Nellu, Bhatta, Akki, Ari , Tandulamul, Dhanarmul, Bhata Chamul, Jhona, Arishi, Nelver Dhanyamu, Odalu, Biyyamu, Biranj[1]
What is the source of Brown rice?
Plant Based
Benefits of Brown rice
Sunburn
Sunburn occurs when the sun rays increase the Pitta present in the skin and reduce the Rasa Dhatu. Rasa Dhatu is the nourishing fluid which gives color, complexion and glow to the skin. Applying Brown rice powder or paste on the sunburn area is excellent because Pomegranate has Ropan (healing) property. This makes it very effective to reduce the symptoms of sunburn and bring back the lost luster of the skin.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 teaspoon or as per requirement Brown rice powder.
2. Mix with cold milk to form a thick paste.
3. Apply on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with cold water to get relief from sunburn.
Anti-wrinkle
Brown rice powder is useful to control fine lines and wrinkles. Wrinkles are due to dry skin and lack of moisture. According to Ayurveda, it appears due to an aggravated Vata. Applying Brown rice helps to control wrinkles due to its Vata balancing property. It also increases moisture content in the skin because of its Kapha increasing nature.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 teaspoon or as per requirement Brown rice powder.
2. Mix with cold milk to form a thick paste.
3. Apply on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with cold water to get soft and wrinkle free skin.
Sunburn occurs when the sun rays increase the Pitta present in the skin and reduce the Rasa Dhatu. Rasa Dhatu is the nourishing fluid which gives color, complexion and glow to the skin. Applying Brown rice powder or paste on the sunburn area is excellent because Pomegranate has Ropan (healing) property. This makes it very effective to reduce the symptoms of sunburn and bring back the lost luster of the skin.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 teaspoon or as per requirement Brown rice powder.
2. Mix with cold milk to form a thick paste.
3. Apply on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with cold water to get relief from sunburn.
Anti-wrinkle
Brown rice powder is useful to control fine lines and wrinkles. Wrinkles are due to dry skin and lack of moisture. According to Ayurveda, it appears due to an aggravated Vata. Applying Brown rice helps to control wrinkles due to its Vata balancing property. It also increases moisture content in the skin because of its Kapha increasing nature.
Tips:
1. Take 1-2 teaspoon or as per requirement Brown rice powder.
2. Mix with cold milk to form a thick paste.
3. Apply on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse with cold water to get soft and wrinkle free skin.
Recommended Dosage of Brown rice
- Brown rice Powder - 1-2 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
How to use Brown rice
1. Brown Rice for skin
a. Soak ½ a cup of Brown rice in water.
b. Leave it for about 15 minutes.
c. Strain the mixture and save the water to use it on the skin.
d. Dip a clean cotton ball in the Brown rice water and apply on the face and neck.
e. Gently massage for a few minutes.
f. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
g. Wash off with normal water and pat dry.
2. Brown rice for hair
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Brown rice powder.
b. Add 1 egg white to it.
c. Add 1 cup of water and mix well.
d. Apply this mixture to hair and massage gently for a few minutes.
e. Leave it for a few minutes.
f. Rinse with normal water.
g. Repeat this process once or twice a week to treat damaged hair.
a. Soak ½ a cup of Brown rice in water.
b. Leave it for about 15 minutes.
c. Strain the mixture and save the water to use it on the skin.
d. Dip a clean cotton ball in the Brown rice water and apply on the face and neck.
e. Gently massage for a few minutes.
f. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
g. Wash off with normal water and pat dry.
2. Brown rice for hair
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Brown rice powder.
b. Add 1 egg white to it.
c. Add 1 cup of water and mix well.
d. Apply this mixture to hair and massage gently for a few minutes.
e. Leave it for a few minutes.
f. Rinse with normal water.
g. Repeat this process once or twice a week to treat damaged hair.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Yes, Brown rice is better than Basmati as it is highly nutritious. Brown rice is a whole grain rice with only the outer cover removed. It is not processed and has all its nutrients intact. Brown rice is also an excellent source of magnesium, iron and a moderate source of zinc.
Ayurvedic View
Brown rice is Guru (heavy) to digest. Brown rice is good if your Agni (digestive fire) is strong. White rice on the other hand, is Laghu (light) and is recommended if your Agni (digestive fire) is weak.
Modern Science View
It is usually recommended to eat about ½ a cup of Brown rice per serving.
Modern Science View
Brown rice is expensive than white rice mainly because of the following two reasons:
1. Brown rice is a whole grain rice in which the outer inedible husk is removed with the bran layer intact. This bran layer is used to produce the rice bran oil. Rice bran oil is considered a heart-friendly oil as it is rich in monounsaturated fats. By selling the Brown rice, manufacturers cannot get the byproduct (bran oil) due to which it is expensive.
2. The demand of Brown rice is lesser and is thus considered as a premium product. This makes it more expensive.
1. Brown rice is a whole grain rice in which the outer inedible husk is removed with the bran layer intact. This bran layer is used to produce the rice bran oil. Rice bran oil is considered a heart-friendly oil as it is rich in monounsaturated fats. By selling the Brown rice, manufacturers cannot get the byproduct (bran oil) due to which it is expensive.
2. The demand of Brown rice is lesser and is thus considered as a premium product. This makes it more expensive.
Modern Science View
Although Brown rice pasta in not a low calorie food, small servings are considered healthier than white rice pasta. It is rich in fibre and a good source of iron.
Modern Science View
Brown rice contains an outer bran layer due to which it requires more water and more time for cooking.
Tip:
1. Take 1 cup of Brown rice.
2. Rinse the rice in a strainer for about 30 seconds.
3. Boil 12 cups of water in a pot with a tight-fitting lid over high heat.
4. Add Brown rice to it once the water boils, stir once and boil uncovered for 30 minutes.
5. Remove extra water by straining the rice for 10 seconds, then transfer it back to the pot.
6. Turn off the flame, place the lid and set it aside to allow the rice to steam for 10 minutes.
7. Uncover the Brown rice, fluff it with a spoon and serve it hot.
8. Brown rice will take lesser time to cook when soaked for about 30 minutes.
9. You can also add some vegetables and a little salt to add flavour to the rice.
Tip:
1. Take 1 cup of Brown rice.
2. Rinse the rice in a strainer for about 30 seconds.
3. Boil 12 cups of water in a pot with a tight-fitting lid over high heat.
4. Add Brown rice to it once the water boils, stir once and boil uncovered for 30 minutes.
5. Remove extra water by straining the rice for 10 seconds, then transfer it back to the pot.
6. Turn off the flame, place the lid and set it aside to allow the rice to steam for 10 minutes.
7. Uncover the Brown rice, fluff it with a spoon and serve it hot.
8. Brown rice will take lesser time to cook when soaked for about 30 minutes.
9. You can also add some vegetables and a little salt to add flavour to the rice.
Modern Science View
The main difference between white rice and Brown rice is that Brown rice is a whole grain. It contains fibrous bran, germ and endosperm, while white rice does not contain bran and germ. Brown rice is much healthier, rich in fibre, nutrients and necessary fatty acids. It has a nuttier flavour and a chewy texture. Brown rice also has selenium and magnesium which lowers bad cholesterol as well as improves bone health[9][10].
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Khalid S, Shamim F, Khan K, et al.PHARMACOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF RICE (ORYZA SATIVA LINN). Sci Int Lahore. 2015;27(6):6239-6243.
- Keneswary R, Zheng F, Hongxia Z.Phytochemical Profile of Brown rice and Its Nutrigenomic Implications.Antioxidants (Basel). 2018;7(6):71.
- Chaudhari PR, Tamrakar N, Singh L.Rice nutritional and medicinal properties: A review article.Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018;7(2):150-156.
- Rohman A, Siti H, Mirza H.Rice in health and nutrition.International Food Research Journal. 2014;21(1):13-24.
- Watanabe S, Hirakawa A, Chiharu N, et al.Food as Medicine: The New Concept of “Medical Rice”.Adv Food Technol Nutr Sci Open J.2016;2(2):38-50.
- WebMD.Brown rice: Uses, Side effects, Doses, Interactions [Internet].Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
- Hansen J.Chapter 4: Eating for maximum results.Natural Bodybuilding.Human Kinetics.2005: 1 edition:89
- Campbell K.Building your plant pure Pantry.The PlantPure Nation Cookbook.BenBella Books, Inc.2015:18
- Taha A.The Mediterranean Farmer's Son's Diet.Xlibris Corporation. 2008.164-165.
- Mir SA, Manickavasagan A, Ahmad Shah MA.Chapter-3:Brown rice.Whole Grains: Processing, Product Development, and Nutritional Aspects.CRC Press.2019.63-65.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.