Horse Gram Kollu

Description

You may be familiar with red, black and green grams, but even the most passionate foodies sometimes miss horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum). This low-profile, humble legume took its English name from its use as a staple food for horses and cattle. However, if you find the name discouraging, you can call it Kollu as it is in Tamil, Ulavalu in Telugu and Kulthi in Hindi.

Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) is a pulse crop widely cultivated and consumed in India since ancient times, and native to the south-east Asian subcontinent and tropical Africa. The US National Academy of Sciences has identified this legume as a potential food source for the future, thanks to its exceptional nutrition profile, drought-resistance and general hardiness.

Amazing Wellness Incentives Of Horse Gram:

1. Traditional Medicine

Horse gram powder does wonders in treating various health issues such as asthma, bronchitis, urinary problems, jaundice, peptic ulcer, haemorrhoids and even menstrual problems. It is also beneficial for extracting phlegm, and controlling fever.

2. Glowing Skin

The astringent properties of horse gram are helpful in treating skin disease leucoderma. It is also used as a facial pack to prevent skin problems and clean the skin.

3. Controls Diabetes

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology have found that eating unprocessed, horse gram seeds (raw, unsprouted) following a meal can reduce the glycemic index, by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and reducing insulin resistance.

4. Promotes Weight Loss

The seeds of horse gram have natural qualities that work as fat burners. It can reduce the LDL cholesterol and increase the HDL cholesterol. Studies have proven that horse gram seeds can directly attack the fatty tissues stored in the body. It is favourable in melting body fat and gives a proper shape to the body.

5. Improves Sperm Count

The calcium, phosphorus, iron and amino acids in horse gram boost the sperm count. These minerals positively act on the male reproductive system, increasing blood flow to those organs, while the amino acids augment enzyme activity, which in turn assures optimal generation of sperms.

6. Protects Liver Functions

The raw seeds of horse gram are a powerhouse of potent plant substances, namely flavonoids and polyphenols. These compounds confer hepatoprotective properties towards the liver and gall bladder, safeguarding their key roles in filtering and purifying the blood and detoxifying chemicals in the body.

7. Treats Kidney Stones

Kidney stones occur due to crystallization of calcium phosphate salts in the body. Horse gram seeds, being infused with powerful antioxidants, play a central role in inhibiting this salt hardening process. Thus, it is very efficacious in eliminating harmful free radicals from causing injury to healthy kidney cells. Horse gram is also a dynamic ingredient in promptly remedying kidney disorders.