Kitchari & Ritucharya
Kitchari & Ritucharya
Kitchari (pronounced kich-uh-ree) is a traditional Ayurvedic food often used for cleansing. It is a simple combination of split mung beans and white basmati rice, spiced according to your individual constitution. Kitchari offers numerous, deeply nourishing benefits for the body and can be used for Ritucharya (seasonal cleansing).
In Ayurveda, seasonal transitions are seen as key times for cleansing and renewal. This practice is known as Ritucharya, which refers to aligning one's lifestyle and diet with the changing seasons to maintain balance. As we approach the transition into autumn, it's the ideal time for a seasonal cleanse to prepare the body for the cooler, drier months ahead. Kitchari, with its nourishing and detoxifying properties, is perfect for this time of year.
Here are seven reasons why Kitchari is a great food for cleansing:
1. Kitchari Is Suitable for All Constitution Types
Kitchari is balanced for all dosha types. Although beans are typically not recommended for regular consumption for Vata types or those with Vata imbalances, split mung beans are easy to digest even for those with weak digestion. Unlike whole mung beans, the husk is removed from split mung beans (mung dal), which makes them easier to digest and nourishing for all constitutions.
Kitchari is balanced for all dosha types. Although beans are typically not recommended for regular consumption for Vata types or those with Vata imbalances, split mung beans are easy to digest even for those with weak digestion. Unlike whole mung beans, the husk is removed from split mung beans (mung dal), which makes them easier to digest and nourishing for all constitutions.
While traditional Ayurvedic cleanses are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, it’s perfectly fine to include Kitchari in your diet during these times. You can also honor the seasonal transitions by eating simple, whole foods and adjusting your routine accordingly.
2. Kitchari Is a Complete Protein
The combination of rice and mung dal provides all the essential amino acids needed to form a complete protein. Although each food individually lacks certain amino acids, together they form a full spectrum of protein, supporting stable blood sugar levels and providing energy and mental clarity throughout the cleansing process.
The combination of rice and mung dal provides all the essential amino acids needed to form a complete protein. Although each food individually lacks certain amino acids, together they form a full spectrum of protein, supporting stable blood sugar levels and providing energy and mental clarity throughout the cleansing process.
3. Kitchari Is Easy to Digest
White rice is traditionally used in Kitchari because it is highly digestible. Along with split mung dal, this combination is gentle enough for babies and people with digestive sensitivities. In Ayurvedic homes, Kitchari is often given to the elderly or those in need of digestive support. The simplicity of eating Kitchari as a monodiet for several days allows the digestive system to rest and reset.
White rice is traditionally used in Kitchari because it is highly digestible. Along with split mung dal, this combination is gentle enough for babies and people with digestive sensitivities. In Ayurvedic homes, Kitchari is often given to the elderly or those in need of digestive support. The simplicity of eating Kitchari as a monodiet for several days allows the digestive system to rest and reset.
4. Kitchari Is Nourishing Enough to Support Daily Activities
A Kitchari cleanse is gentle yet nourishing enough to support your daily activities. Kitchari provides sufficient energy to carry out work and personal tasks during a cleanse. Unlike more restrictive cleanses, Kitchari offers enough sustenance to fuel your body without leaving you feeling weak or fatigued.
A Kitchari cleanse is gentle yet nourishing enough to support your daily activities. Kitchari provides sufficient energy to carry out work and personal tasks during a cleanse. Unlike more restrictive cleanses, Kitchari offers enough sustenance to fuel your body without leaving you feeling weak or fatigued.
5. Kitchari Improves Digestion
Agni, or digestive fire, is considered central to health in Ayurveda. A strong Agni means your body can properly digest and assimilate food, while a weak Agni leads to malabsorption and the accumulation of toxins (ama). Kitchari, made with digestive spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, fennel, and salt, helps stimulate and balance Agni, aiding digestion. The spices used can be tailored to your constitution type to support overall digestive health.
Agni, or digestive fire, is considered central to health in Ayurveda. A strong Agni means your body can properly digest and assimilate food, while a weak Agni leads to malabsorption and the accumulation of toxins (ama). Kitchari, made with digestive spices like ginger, cumin, coriander, fennel, and salt, helps stimulate and balance Agni, aiding digestion. The spices used can be tailored to your constitution type to support overall digestive health.
6. Kitchari Helps Loosen Toxic Build-up
Mung dal has an astringent quality that gently draws out toxins from the body. This pulling action is much gentler than abrasive cleansing methods, such as consuming raw or cold foods, which can be harsh on the digestive system. Kitchari helps loosen and liquefy ama (toxins) in the second stage of digestion, making it easier to eliminate them from the body.
Mung dal has an astringent quality that gently draws out toxins from the body. This pulling action is much gentler than abrasive cleansing methods, such as consuming raw or cold foods, which can be harsh on the digestive system. Kitchari helps loosen and liquefy ama (toxins) in the second stage of digestion, making it easier to eliminate them from the body.
7. Kitchari Assists in Toxin Elimination
Once toxins have been loosened and liquefied, they need to be effectively eliminated from the body. The fiber content in split mung beans (over 15 grams per 1-cup serving) helps move these toxins through the digestive system and out of the body. This cleansing process supports detoxification and encourages a healthy, balanced internal environment.
Once toxins have been loosened and liquefied, they need to be effectively eliminated from the body. The fiber content in split mung beans (over 15 grams per 1-cup serving) helps move these toxins through the digestive system and out of the body. This cleansing process supports detoxification and encourages a healthy, balanced internal environment.
Seasonal Cleansing: Preparing for Autumn with Ritucharya
In Ayurveda, each season brings its own set of challenges and qualities to the body, and transitioning smoothly between seasons is essential for maintaining balance. Ritucharya is the Ayurvedic practice of adjusting your diet and lifestyle according to the changing seasons to maintain harmony with nature.
In Ayurveda, each season brings its own set of challenges and qualities to the body, and transitioning smoothly between seasons is essential for maintaining balance. Ritucharya is the Ayurvedic practice of adjusting your diet and lifestyle according to the changing seasons to maintain harmony with nature.
As autumn approaches, it’s important to prepare the body for the cool, dry qualities of the season. Autumn can aggravate Vata dosha, which is associated with dryness, coldness, and irregularity. A seasonal cleanse using Kitchari is an ideal way to balance Vata, as the nourishing and easily digestible food helps restore stability and warmth to the digestive system. The spices in Kitchari, such as ginger and cumin, also help balance the dry, cool energy of autumn by warming and stimulating digestion.
Autumn is the perfect time for a gentle cleanse like Kitchari, as it helps remove the accumulated toxins (ama) from the body and prepares it for the seasonal change ahead. By aligning with the natural rhythms of the season through Ritucharya and incorporating Kitchari into your diet, you can experience a smoother transition into autumn with better digestion, balanced energy, and improved overall health.
Kitchari is not only an excellent food for cleansing, but it is also nourishing and easy to prepare. Whether you are doing a full cleanse or simply want to enjoy its benefits, Kitchari provides a simple yet effective way to support digestion, detoxify the body, and restore balance. As you prepare for autumn, consider incorporating Kitchari into your diet as part of your seasonal cleanse, supporting your body in adjusting to the cooler months ahead.
Here is one of our favorite very simple Kitchari Recipes:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 1/2 cup split yellow mung dal (lentils)
- 1 tablespoon ghee (or coconut oil for a vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (grated)
- 4 cups water
- Salt to taste (pink Himalayan or sea salt)
- Optional: chopped vegetables like carrots, zucchini, spinach, or kale.
Instructions:
- Rinse the rice and mung dal together until the water runs clear.
- In a large pot, heat the ghee over medium heat and add the cumin seeds. Let them sizzle for 30 seconds.
- Add the grated ginger, turmeric, and coriander powder. Stir for a minute to release the flavors.
- Add the rice, mung dal, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the rice and lentils are soft and the mixture becomes porridge-like.
- Add salt to taste, and stir in any chopped vegetables you’d like.
- Serve warm, with a garnish of fresh cilantro (optional).