AYURVEDIC RECIPES

Mung Dal Kitchari (kapha Reducing)


4.45 out of 5 stars 11 ratings, 2464 likes

Customer Reviews

4.45 out of 5 stars
Sign in to review or comment
"How many calories in this delicious food! "
- Susan Rossi RI

See all reviews

How to Make Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing)

INGREDIENTS


SKILL LEVEL: EASY
2 tbsp
4 c
4 leaves
1 tsp
1 c
1 inch
1/2 tsp
1/2 c
1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp
1/4 tsp

PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPE

1. Use split mung bean if possible. Soak the mung beans for several hours before cooking and drain. Add 6c water and bring to a boil, scooping off any foam that forms on the top. Then, strain out the liquid, and add another 4c of fresh water to the mung dal.

2. When the mung beans are dissolved into the broth (1-3hrs depending upon desired textured), grind the ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cumin. Make a thick paste by adding a bit of water. Let sit for five minutes, then saute in the ghee until the spices become aromatic but before they brown. De-glaze the frying pan with a 1/4c of water to soak all the remaining flavor of the spices and add to the mung soup.

3. Add rice and any remaining ingredients to broth. Stir. Cover and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes or until grains are tender.

How Does This Ayurvedic Recipe Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Cleanse Your Body

If your belly feels sluggish after too many treats, Kitchari is an easy way to cleanse your digestion and restore freshness. Kitchari offers a true delight to both your body and senses. It is a heart warming synergy of mung beans, basmati rice, and digestive spices that is easy to prepare. This time tested formula, centuries old, is a complete protein, rich in fiber, cleansing to the digestive tract, and will act to bulk up stool for easier elimination.

To maximize the many benefits your will receive from kitchari, eat it for several meals in a row, such as lunch and dinner on the same day. Once you experience the benefits of kitchari, you'll see how feeling good again is just a few steps away. It just may become addictive! Those who avoid beans because of digestive difficulties need not avoid kitchari. Mung beans are among the easiest to digest legumes. They are antacid, helping to soothe fiery digestive conditions, and won't promote gas and bloating.

Invigorate Your Metabolism

Spices are the difference between a tasty meal and a bland one, and also the difference between healthy and poor circulation. A Kapha imbalance can cause your circulation to stagnate, depressing your metabolism and causing weight gain. A well-spiced dish can stimulate your circulation, invigorate your metabolism, and clear out congestion. In this recipe, cloves open up your pores and enhance blood flow to the skin, reducing puffiness and lymphatic congestion. Cardamom destroys mucous congestion. Ginger stimulates the heart. Cumin and bay leaf reduce water retention. Reach for these spices with enthusiasm, but remember: Too much spice is harsh and can leave a burning feeling the intestines. Be aware of your body's reaction to spices. Those with ulcers or inflammation will not benefit from too many spices, but it is helpful for those with sluggish digestion.

Order the Complete Kit

WHAT IS MUNG DAL KITCHARI (KAPHA REDUCING)?

Kitchari is Ayurveda's perfect food, indicated in times of recovery as well as cleansing. Kitchari can even be the centerpiece of a mono-diet or fast, as it is a simple food that supplements the healing process. As with Grandma's chicken soup, there are as many ways to make kitchari as there are reasons to consume it. Typical modifications include vegetables such as carrots, greens, zucchini, or potatoes. Spices like cumin, cinnamon, or black pepper can be included, as well as even toasted nuts or coconut. Technically, a kitchari is any dish combining rice and legumes. Typically, however, kitcharies use mung beans because they are the easiest legume to digest. This kitchari is especially suited to Kapha dosha.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Is Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing) Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing)' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Metabolic Nature of Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing)

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

EASY

ABOUT EASY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EASY

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

Find Out More

PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry metabolic nature. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritate and heat up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

SEE ALL 'AROMATIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Bland

BLAND

Bland means doesn't have much taste. In Chinese medicine, bland taste refers to afood without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.

SEE ALL 'BLAND' FOODS / HERBS

,
Acrid

ACRID

Acrid taste is a combination of bitter and pungent tastes. Example include radish, turnip, and coffee.

SEE ALL 'ACRID' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing)
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Warms Abdomen

WARMS-ABDOMEN

Warms the muscles and organs of the abdomen, stimulating digestion and metabolism.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-ABDOMEN' FOODS / HERBS

,
Quenches Thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

SEE ALL 'BURNS-TOXINS' FOODS / HERBS

Numbs Anasthetic

NUMBS-ANASTHETIC

Inhibits sensation in a particular area.

SEE ALL 'NUMBS-ANASTHETIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Wakes You Up

WAKES-YOU-UP

Invigorates the body and nervous system, increases energy.

SEE ALL 'WAKES-YOU-UP' FOODS / HERBS

,
Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS

,
Satisfies Stomach

SATISFIES-STOMACH

Provides a sense of gratification and fullness in the stomach.

SEE ALL 'SATISFIES-STOMACH' FOODS / HERBS

,
Refreshing

REFRESHING

Stimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.

SEE ALL 'REFRESHING' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-CHEST' FOODS / HERBS

,
Soothes Throat

SOOTHES-THROAT

Soothes throat discomfort, including from a sore or ticklish throat.

SEE ALL 'SOOTHES-THROAT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

SEE ALL 'DECONGESTANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

,
Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc).

SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' FOODS / HERBS

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Head

WARMS-HEAD

An herb that increases sensations of heat and warmth in the head.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-HEAD' FOODS / HERBS

,
Warms Ears

WARMS-EARS

Stimulates peripheral circulation to warm extremities, including the ears.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-EARS' FOODS / HERBS

,
Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Galactagogue

GALACTAGOGUE

Increases production of breast milk, often by raising prolactin and diaphoresis.

SEE ALL 'GALACTAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Coumarin

COUMARIN

Moderately toxic, vascular tonic, hypotensive, and anti-inflammatory.

SEE ALL 'COUMARIN' FOODS / HERBS

, Tannins, Carbohydrate, Fats

Foods with a Similar Nature to Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing)

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up, Warms-ears, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up, Warms-ears, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Wakes-you-up, Warms-ears, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest

    LEARN MORE

  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Warms-abdomen, Warms-head, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Expectorant, Numbs-anasthetic, Warms-chest, Anthelminthic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Warms-ears

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Soothes-throat, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Digestive, Galactagogue, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Warms-head, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Galactagogue, Warms-ears, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ajwain

    Ajwain has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Anthelminthic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Dill

    Dill has these Actions in Common

    Burns-toxins, Digestive, Galactagogue, Vasodilator, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Allspice

    Allspice has these Actions in Common

    Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Warms-head, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Numbs-anasthetic, Warms-chest, Cardiac-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginger (Fresh)

    Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Refreshing, Wakes-you-up, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Galactagogue, Stimulates-energy, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Internal-detoxicant, Warms-chest, Anthelminthic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Mung Dal Kitchari (Kapha Reducing)

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Decongestant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Warms-chest, Diuretic, Warms-ears, Expectorant, Warms-head, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Burns-toxins, Refreshing, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy

    LEARN MORE

  • Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

    Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Wakes-you-up, Carminative, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Warms-ears, Digestive, Warms-head, Diuretic, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Wild Ginger

    Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Carminative, Warms-ears, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Cardiac-stimulant, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

    Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Expectorant, Anthelminthic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Burns-toxins, Warms-abdomen, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Decongestant

    LEARN MORE

  • Eucalyptus Essential Oil

    Eucalyptus Essential Oil has these Actions in Common

    Wakes-you-up, Antimicrobial, Warms-chest, Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Refreshing, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Epsom Salt Bath

    Epsom Salt Bath has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Warms-chest, Warms-head, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Pennyroyal

    Pennyroyal has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Expectorant, Numbs-anasthetic, Antispasmodic, Vasodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Breathing Exercises

    Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

    Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

    Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic, Wakes-you-up, Cardiac-stimulant, Decongestant, Digestive, Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Refreshing

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

View Other Healthy Recipes for Spring

This recipe is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring recipes here.
VIEW ALL SPRING RECIPES MORE VATA / KAPHA RECIPES
MAIN RECIPE PAGE

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. His wife and family of 7 kids live in Asheville, NC.

Winter Diet

Winter is a season of stagnant & thick blood

upcoming courses

Apply for Scholarship. Monhly payment plans available.

What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

Comments & Impressions of 'Mung Dal Kitchari (kapha Reducing)'

Do you like 'mung dal kitchari (kapha reducing)'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'mung dal kitchari (kapha reducing)'?

(4.45 out of 5 stars) 11 ratings, 2464 likes
Sign in to review or comment

Catherine Harrison Kingaroy, QUEENSLAND
2012-02-19
“can u eat this with nan bread or papadams???"
“Dear Catherine, Nan bread is made of wheat, which may nullify some of the cleansing effects of the kitchari. Papadams are made of lentils and are very suitable to cleansing. Both are tasty! Warm Regards, -John"
“@David - Quinoa is an excellent substitute, and probably more Kapha pacifying than regular rice, although we're splitting hairs here. The firm texture of the quinoa changes depending on how you cook it - how much water, etc. Thanks for asking!"
Andrea Perry Flossmoor, IL
2013-07-07
“Can you use olive oil instead of ghee?"
“Yes, you can substitute brown rice for white rice, and olive oil for ghee. These recipes are merely suggestions. Innovate at will but use the gunas, nature's healing qualities, to make sure it is still healthy for you."
Abby Calgary, ALBERTA
2014-01-07
“I made this for the first time last week; very tasty! However, I found it took a lot longer to cook than the 25 minutes (about 50 mins). The rice was still quite firm at 25 minutes. Should the rice be cooked on its own first and then added in?"
David McKaig Swannanoa, NC
2014-01-09
“Alison- Add turmeric if you like!"
Susan Rossi RI
2014-01-12
“How many calories in this delicious food! "
Victoria Istanbul, NY
2014-01-26
“What do you mean by "grind the ginger, etc." Grind? What about turmeric? Can you add dates? "
David McKaig Swannanoa, NC
2014-01-30
“Valerie- Certainly you can....experiment!"
David McKaig Swannanoa, NC
2014-04-03
“Never!"
Kristin Nissen Loveladies, NJ
2014-05-07
“Delicious and satisfying!"
David McKaig Swannanoa, NC
2014-05-21
“Alyssa.....1. Use split mung bean if possible. Soak the mung beans for several hours before cooking and drain. Add 6c water and bring to a boil, scooping off any foam that forms on the top. Then, strain out the liquid, and add another 4c of fresh water to the mung dal. "
alyssa Waukesha, WI
2014-05-21
“After to add the 4c of fresh water do you then boil foe the 1-3 hours to create to broth? "
Anna-Karin Smith Portland, OR
2014-05-24
“Pretty good, though I had to add a LOT of water to the recipe -- though I may have read it incorrectly. I also used some vegetable broth in cooking the beans -- not sure if that's an acceptable addition, but I haven't found a recipe that uses water instead of broth that tastes good to me. Filling!"
Alissa Brighton, MA
2015-04-08
“I have never cooked with mung bean before - i boiled some last night and i am eating them in a dish with lots of veggies. do they really disintegrate into water? or do they just remain at the bottom? thanks! cannot wait to try! i need to lower my kapha which has been dominant lately :)"
sonia tigero Hollywood, FL
2016-03-19
“In order to "be a kitchari" legums and grains must be cook together.however you can soak your rice for 2 hours before your mix it with the moong dals (if you soak your rice overnight it will take only 7 minutes to be done)"
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-03-24
“You low boil the mung for 1-3 hours. Use less spice for Pitta."
Tamara Macginty Cloughjordan, WA
2016-12-26
“I find it a little confusing that for a recipe that is supposed to be Kapha reducing, that every ingredient has an exclamation mark which indicates that these ingredients aren't particularly suited to a Kapha reducing diet. Can you clarify........"
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2016-12-26
“The exclamation points represent foods that are not ideal for you personally based on your Joyful Belly quizzes. There are only 4 ingredients on the list with a line through Kapha - Basmati rice, ghee, salt and water. Each is used in a minimal amount and balanced with digestive spices that make this dish overall balancing for Kapha."
Kimberly Kubicke Asbury park, NJ
2018-09-19
“Ayurveda doesn't measure food in terms of calories or grams of fat. It looks at food in terms of taste and qualities which we have included above."
Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Join Joyful Belly

Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips?
Subscribe to our free newsletter!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
1