Horse gram (scientific name Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a reddish-brown legume with many health benefits. In India, especially in South India, kulthi has been a popular food item for thousands of years. Kulthi bean, Madras gram, Muthira, Kollu, Koleeth, Uluvalu, and Hurali are other horse gram names. As per the Ayurvedic concept, Kulthi is heat-generating by nature, increasing Pitta and Rakta (blood).
List of Top 10 Health Benefits of Kulthi
1. Helps in relieving menstrual issues
Kulthi is ideal for ladies experiencing menstrual problems like irregular periods and heavy bleeding. Being rich in iron, horse gram helps heighten hemoglobin lost through monthly periods.
How to use: You can add horse gram to your daily diet through sprouts or soups or drink horse gram water regularly. Also, having one tablespoon of powdered horse gram early in the morning on an empty stomach improves overall health.
2. A superfood to treat type 2 diabetes
New studies have proven the positive impact of kulthi in combating diabetes. Unprocessed raw horse gram seeds have anti-hyperglycemic properties. This gram also has properties that reduce the insulin resistance of the body. Therefore, including these beans on the daily menu will lower blood glucose. When combatting diabetes, horse gram seeds are more beneficial than sprouts.
3. A blessing for women experiencing Leucorrhea
Leucorrhea refers to normal vaginal discharge. However, its quantity increases when puberty hits or a woman is sexually aroused. Even though this type of discharge is quite common, its color and consistency alter if the woman develops a vaginal infection or irritation around the cervix region. The discharge then turns thicker and foul-smelling. Kulthi is very efficient in treating Leucorrhea.
How to use: According to Ayurveda, immerse horse gram for an entire night in water to combat Leucorrhea. The next day morning, boil it. Drink this water three times a day.
4. Helps in expelling small kidney stones
If you are more prone to kidney stones, kulthi is your best friend. Daily consumption of Kulthi helps to bring down the chances of the formation of kidney stones. Including horse gram in your daily menu will help to eliminate small kidney stones. A kidney stone is a form of calcium oxalate. It is scientifically proven that the horse gram hinders the formation of calcium oxalate.
How to use: Soak some horse gram overnight. Consume it the following morning (without boiling). Repeat this for 7 to 10 days for desired results. Also, adding crushed pomegranate to horse gram soup is excellent for treating kidney stones.
5. Effectively combat common cold and fever
Ayurveda has recommended the consumption of kulthi while experiencing fever, coughs, and cold. Common colds and fevers happen when the body’s immunity system is attacked. Kulthi is rich in antioxidants. It enhances the immune system and fights off fever and cold.
Usage: Boil one tablespoon of kulthi in one cup of water. Grind it into a paste. Add a pinch of black pepper powder. Have it two times daily. Fighting off a cough, sore throat, and the common cold is excellent. For relieving fever, drinking water boiled with Kulthi is a superb option.
6. Helps to lose weight
Horse gram helps to reduce body fat. It is low in calories. Horse gram will make you feel full for quite a long time. It is laden with protein and fiber. Also, being a heat-generating legume, it burns fat faster. Do you know when the blood sugar level drops, it triggers craving? Horse gram maintains the blood sugar level. All these characteristics of this pulse bring about weight loss.
How to use: You can have horse gram in powder form. To enhance the result, I added a pinch of cumin seeds. Mix it well in a glass of water. Drink one glass each twice daily on an empty stomach.
7. Helps to increase the sperm count
This pulse is highly beneficial for those who face fertility issues due to low sperm count. The kulthi is loaded with nutrients that help in increasing sperm count. These nutrients According to the Ayurvedic concept, horse gram detoxifies the semen, thereby enhancing its health.
Usage: Prepare horse gram- rice porridge. Add milk. Have this regularly for a month. The sperm count will increase.
8. Helps to treat Ulcers
Kulthi is very efficient in treating different types of ulcers. (It can’t heal the gastric ulcer, though). The legume discharges lipids, which is very important for removing the ulcer.
How to use: Boil and crush the horse gram. Eat a bowl two times a day.
9. Helps to prevent constipation
The lack of fiber in the diet and lack of minerals in the diet are essential reasons for constipation. Kulthi has powerful nutrients in it and also has a plethora of fiber. Therefore, It is very effective in combating constipation.
Usage: Have horse gram as a raw salad (without soaking).
10. Good for skin
Horse gram possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is loaded with antioxidants. All these are highly beneficial for the skin.
How to use: Crush the horse gram into a fine powder, add two tablespoons of this powder to a cup of water, and drink it. It will help to ease an array of skin issues. Kulthi is used to make face packs, which help to combat skin rashes and boils. For this, soak the horse gram overnight in water. Make a paste the next day and spread it evenly on the face. Let it be there for 30 minutes, and wash it off with plenty of water. It aids in collagen production. Being rich in antioxidants, it also shields the skin from the attack of free radicals.
Nutritional value of Kulthi
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
|---|---|
| Calories | 321 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 57 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
| Calcium | 287 mg |
| Phosphorus | 311 mg |
| Iron | 7 mg |
| Folate | 57 mcg |
| Magnesium | 288 mg |
| Potassium | 875 mg |
FAQs for Horse Gram or Kulthi
Where does Horse gram grow?
Kulthi is a climbing herb that originated in India and is commonly found in Asia, Africa, and Australia. This legume grows in dry agricultural lands. It may be annual or perennial. This crop can withstand drought.
How to use the horse gram?
Soak this pulse overnight. After discarding the water, wash it thoroughly and pressure cook it.
- It can be used to make curries and soups. In south India, it is popularly used to make rasam, sambar, and poriyal (stir-fry).
- You can even prepare dal with it
- In Maharashtra, this legume is used to make laddu and pithla (an authentic Maharashtrian main course)
Sprouted Kulthi is more beneficial than soaked ones. It is because sprouting brings down this legume’s phytochemicals, thereby increasing its nutritional value.
Kulthi is popular in the Himalayan region, and the people there use this nutritious legume to make soups and curries.
Horse gram curries will go amazingly with roti and boiled rice.
What are the side effects of Horse gram?
Even though highly nutritious, it is not supposed to be consumed by –
- People experiencing bleeding issues like nasal bleeding and women experiencing heavy periods
- People taking medicine for anemia
- Tuberculosis patients
- Pregnant women
- Men undergoing infertility treatment
- One who trying to gain weight
- The people with gastric ulcers and hyperacidity because it could aggravate the issue
Overconsumption of anything, regardless of its nutritional value, is not good, and Kulthi is not an exception.
