Urad dal
Urad Dal
Urad dal is also known as Black gram in English and Masha in Ayurveda. It is used for various medicinal purposes in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a rich source of nutrition and helps boost energy.
Urad dal is rich in fibers which help improves digestion. It may also help manage constipation by promoting bowel movements due to its laxative property. Regular consumption of Urad dal improves sexual desire in men which in turn helps manage sexual dysfunction due to its aphrodisiac property. Urad dal is also considered to be good for diabetes as it improves insulin secretion and sensitivity.
According to Ayurveda, adding Urad dal to your daily diet helps in weight gain due to its Guru (heavy) and Balya nature.
Applying the paste of Urad dal along with rose water and honey on the face helps promote skin whitening as it reduces melanin production and promotes skin health. Urad dal hair mask can be applied on the hair scalp to help strengthen and lengthen hair as well as manage dandruff.
Avoid eating Urad dal in excess at night as it takes a longer time to get digested properly. It is also advisable for pregnant women with constipation to avoid Urad dal and dishes made of Urad dal so as to prevent stomach problems[2][3][4][7][8].
Urad dal is rich in fibers which help improves digestion. It may also help manage constipation by promoting bowel movements due to its laxative property. Regular consumption of Urad dal improves sexual desire in men which in turn helps manage sexual dysfunction due to its aphrodisiac property. Urad dal is also considered to be good for diabetes as it improves insulin secretion and sensitivity.
According to Ayurveda, adding Urad dal to your daily diet helps in weight gain due to its Guru (heavy) and Balya nature.
Applying the paste of Urad dal along with rose water and honey on the face helps promote skin whitening as it reduces melanin production and promotes skin health. Urad dal hair mask can be applied on the hair scalp to help strengthen and lengthen hair as well as manage dandruff.
Avoid eating Urad dal in excess at night as it takes a longer time to get digested properly. It is also advisable for pregnant women with constipation to avoid Urad dal and dishes made of Urad dal so as to prevent stomach problems[2][3][4][7][8].
What are the synonyms of Urad dal?
Vigna mungo, Maash, Kalamug, Urada, Udu, Uddu, Chiringo, Adad, Arad, Ulundu, Uttul, Minumulu, Mash kalaya, Mash, Mei, Muji, Maga, Udid, Uzhunn, Masha, Mash-e-hindi, Banu-siyah[1].
What is the source of Urad dal?
Plant Based
Benefits of Urad dal
1. Anti-wrinkle
Wrinkles are due to aging, dry skin and lack of moisture. According to Ayurveda, it is due to an aggravated Vata. Urad dal helps in controlling wrinkles and increases moisture content in the skin because of its Snigdha (oily) nature. Urad dal also removes black spot on the skin when used with honey.
Tips:
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of whole white Urad dal powder.
b. Make a paste with milk or honey.
c. Apply on the affected area.
d. Wait for 20-30 minutes.
e. Wash it with cold water.
2. Joint Pain
Urad dal helps to reduce bone and joint pain when massaged on the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. A massage with Urad dal helps to reduce joint pain due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take boiled Urad dal and mash it well.
b. Place it in a cotton cloth (Potali).
c. Apply Sesame oil on the affected area and massage using the Urad dal potali.
d. Repeat this to get rid of joint pain in arthritis.
3. Hair loss
Urad dal helps to control hair fall and promote hair growth when applied to the scalp. This is because hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. Urad dal acts on hair fall by balancing Vata dosha. It also promotes new hair growth and removes excessive dryness. This is due to its Snigdha (oily) and Ropan (healing) properties.
Tips:
a. Take boil and mashed Urad dal.
b. Mix it with coconut oil.
c. Apply to the scalp and hair.
d. Wait for 1-2 hours and wash with a herbal shampoo.
e. Repeat this to manage excessive dryness and control hair fall.
Wrinkles are due to aging, dry skin and lack of moisture. According to Ayurveda, it is due to an aggravated Vata. Urad dal helps in controlling wrinkles and increases moisture content in the skin because of its Snigdha (oily) nature. Urad dal also removes black spot on the skin when used with honey.
Tips:
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of whole white Urad dal powder.
b. Make a paste with milk or honey.
c. Apply on the affected area.
d. Wait for 20-30 minutes.
e. Wash it with cold water.
2. Joint Pain
Urad dal helps to reduce bone and joint pain when massaged on the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. A massage with Urad dal helps to reduce joint pain due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take boiled Urad dal and mash it well.
b. Place it in a cotton cloth (Potali).
c. Apply Sesame oil on the affected area and massage using the Urad dal potali.
d. Repeat this to get rid of joint pain in arthritis.
3. Hair loss
Urad dal helps to control hair fall and promote hair growth when applied to the scalp. This is because hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. Urad dal acts on hair fall by balancing Vata dosha. It also promotes new hair growth and removes excessive dryness. This is due to its Snigdha (oily) and Ropan (healing) properties.
Tips:
a. Take boil and mashed Urad dal.
b. Mix it with coconut oil.
c. Apply to the scalp and hair.
d. Wait for 1-2 hours and wash with a herbal shampoo.
e. Repeat this to manage excessive dryness and control hair fall.
How to use Urad dal
1. Urad dal face mask
a. Soak ½ cup of Urad dal overnight and make a paste in the morning.
b. Add 2 tablespoons of rose water to it.
c. Add 1 tablespoon of glycerin to the paste.
d. Add 2 tablespoons of almond oil to the mixture and make a smooth paste.
e. Apply the paste on your face and leave it to dry for about 15-20 minutes.
f. Wash it off with cold water.
2. Urad dal hair mask
a. Soak 2-3 tablespoons of Urad dal and 1 tablespoon of methi (fenugreek) seeds in water overnight.
b. Add Urad dal, methi seeds, 5-6 hibiscus flowers and seeds and some water in a grinder to make a smooth paste.
c. Add amla, shikakai powder, 1 whole egg and juice of ½ a lemon to this paste.
d. Apply this mixture on your hair and scalp.
e. Leave it for at least 1 hour.
f. Wash it off with shampoo and conditioner.
a. Soak ½ cup of Urad dal overnight and make a paste in the morning.
b. Add 2 tablespoons of rose water to it.
c. Add 1 tablespoon of glycerin to the paste.
d. Add 2 tablespoons of almond oil to the mixture and make a smooth paste.
e. Apply the paste on your face and leave it to dry for about 15-20 minutes.
f. Wash it off with cold water.
2. Urad dal hair mask
a. Soak 2-3 tablespoons of Urad dal and 1 tablespoon of methi (fenugreek) seeds in water overnight.
b. Add Urad dal, methi seeds, 5-6 hibiscus flowers and seeds and some water in a grinder to make a smooth paste.
c. Add amla, shikakai powder, 1 whole egg and juice of ½ a lemon to this paste.
d. Apply this mixture on your hair and scalp.
e. Leave it for at least 1 hour.
f. Wash it off with shampoo and conditioner.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Yes, Urad dal is rich in protein. About 25g of protein is present in 100g of Urad dal.
Modern Science View
The soaking time of Urad dal depends on the type of Urad dal used. Whole black Urad dal needs to be soaked overnight. The split black and white Urad dal needs to be soaked for 15-30 minutes.
References
- Balkrishnan A.Urad Dal.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya. Danik Bhaskar.2017.
- Patel DV, Sawant MG, Kaur G. Evaluation of anti-osteoarthritic activity of Vigna mungo in papain induced osteoarthritis model.Indian J Pharmacol.2015;47(1):59-64.
- Shaheen S, Harun N, Khan F et al.Comparative nutritional analysis between Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo of Pakistan.African Journal of Biotechnology.2012;11(25):6694-6702.
- Zia-Ul-Haq M, Ahmad S, Bukhari SA et al.Compositional studies and biological activities of some mash bean (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) cultivars commonly consumed in Pakistan.Biol Res.2014;47(23):1-14.
- Shaheen S, Harun N, Khan F et al.Comparative nutritional analysis between Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo of Pakistan.African Journal of Biotechnology.2012;11(25):6694-6702.
- Kaur G, Somaiya R, Patel S. Preventive and curative potential of Vigna mungo against metabolic syndrome in acute and chronic rat models. Journal of Biological Sciences.2015;15:85-91.
- Arya J.Food is your medicine. Arya publications. 2014.
- Bakhru HK. A Handbook of natural beauty. Jaico publishing house.1995.
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.