Ishan Ayurvedic Medical College & Research Centre
Kulthi Dal (Horse Gram)

Kulthi Dal (Horse Gram)

Twining annual or perennial forming dense growth 30-60 cm high.

Medicinal Plant

Kulthi Dal (Horse Gram)

Twining annual or perennial forming dense growth 30-60 cm high.

Twining annual or perennial forming dense growth 30-60 cm high. Trifoliate leaves 3-7 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Yellow flowers with violet blot on the standard. Pods 6-8 cm long and 4-8 mm wide with 6-7 seeds.

Scientific Name

Macrotyloma uniflorum

Family

Fabaceae

Common Name

Horse Gram

Kulthi Dal
Kulathidal medicinal plant
Kulathidal medicinal plant
Botanical Description

About the Kulthi Dal Plant

Twining annual or perennial forming dense growth 30-60 cm high. Trifoliate leaves 3-7 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. Yellow flowers with violet blot on the standard. Pods 6-8 cm long and 4-8 mm wide with 6-7 seeds.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa · Guna · Virya · Vipaka

Prabhava-ashmari bhedana (breakdown the renal stones ). Pharmacological action -Kulthi dal has a low glycaemic index, making it a useful dietary supplement for diabetic patients. It has an alpha-amylase inhibitor, which may help manage diabetes by decreasing serum glucose levels. The kulthi dal seeds may help in carbohydrate metabolism and thereby delay their digestion and absorption.

Rasa

Rasa

kashaya(astringent)

kashaya(astringent)

Veerya

Veerya

ushna(hot)

ushna(hot)

Guna

Guna

laghu(light to digest),rooksha(dry in nature ),teekshna(pungent)

laghu(light to digest),rooksha(dry in nature ),teekshna(pungent)

Chemical Composition

Phytochemical Constituents

Kulthi seeds contain 21% of crude protein, 11% of pentosan and about 3% of water soluble gum. They also contain traces of urease and phosphorus. The other chemical constituents present in the seeds are Genistein, Dalberioidin, Phasw and Collidin.

Health Benefits

Therapeutic Benefits of Kulthi Dal

From classical Ayurvedic indications to modern phytotherapeutic insights — explore the spectrum of wellness benefits this herb has to offer.

01

Kidney Stone

02

A kidney stone is an accumulation of hard, stony mass in the bladder and urinary tract. In Ayurveda, it is known as Mutrashmari. Mutrashmari (renal calculi) is a condition of Vata-Kapha origin which causes Sanga (obstruction) in the Mutravaha Srotas (urinary system). Mutral (diuretic) property of Kulthi increases urine flow which promotes fast removal of kidney stones. Kulthi or Horse gram also helps balance the Kapha dosha, which further prevents the formation of stones.

03

Diabetes Mellitus

04

Diabetes, also known as Madhumeha, is caused due to an imbalance of Vata-Kapha dosha and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to an accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the pancreatic cells and impairs the function of insulin. Consuming Kulthi seeds helps manage diabetes due to its Vata-Kapha balancing, Pachan (digestive) properties. It helps to improve digestion, maintains normal functions of insulin, and reduces symptoms of diabetes.

05

High Cholesterol

06

High cholesterol is caused due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes the accumulation of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Including Kulthi Dal in your diet helps to promote Agni (digestive) due to its Ushna (hot) potency. It also reduces Ama and helps in controlling high cholesterol levels.

07

Obesity

08

Obesity is a condition that occurs either due to bad eating habits or lack of physical activity. It is a condition in which indigestion leads to the accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the form of excessive fat. This leads to an imbalance of Meda Dhatu, resulting in obesity. Consuming Kulthi water helps in the management of obesity by digesting Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestion) properties. It also helps to improve metabolism which further prevents obesity.

Contraindications & Caution

If taken in large quantities, kulthi dal may have an adverse effect when used as a medication. Also, unsupervised and unmonitored kulthi dal consumption by people with health conditions (like diabetes and liver diseases) may complicate or worsen some conditions.