E-ISSN:2456-3110

Research Article

Milletsss

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 9 JUNE
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Millets and its benefits according to Ayurveda

Shashidhar S S1*, Pramodhkumar N2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.6.36

1* Sarawad Shashidhar S, Professor and HOD, Department of PG Studies in Dravyaguna, BVVS Ayurvedic Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.

2 N Pramodhkumar, Assistant Professor, Department of PG Studies in Dravyaguna, BVVS Ayurvedic Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.

In the recent days we have been seeing a lot of buzz and a lot of researches been carried out regarding the usage of the millets and its potential uses mainly with regards to its disease preventing properties especially in cases such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and even in Cancer. In Kannada, millets are called as Siridhanya which means that which is rich in useful and essential properties, in Ayurveda millets are called as Kudhanya or Kshudradhanya, it is called so because these grains belong to grass species and they usually does grow to a very lengthy height rather confined to a smaller heights, hence the name Kudhanya or Kshudradhanya. In the recent days even the Karnataka Government has understood the importance of millets and have started to promulgate by dedicating a separate day calling a ‘millets day’ to showcase its important health related values. Apart from the recent discoverers, Ayurveda has mentioned about the millets in the name of Kudhanya or Kshudradhanya many years before itself. We can find its mentioning in Charaka Samhitha, and other Nighantus such as Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu etc. Hence this article highlights about the importance of Millets and its mentioning about its properties in Ayurveda and its mode of action in several diseases.

Keywords: Millets, Siridhanya, Kudhanya, Kshudradhanya, Shree Anna

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Shashidhar S Sarawad , Professor and HOD, Department of PG Studies in Dravyaguna, BVVS Ayurvedic Medical College, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Shashidhar S S, Pramodhkumar N, Millets and its benefits according to Ayurveda. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(9):231-235.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3496

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-04-04 2024-04-15 2024-04-24 2024-05-07 2024-05-18
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Authors state no conflict of interest. Non Funded. The conducted research is not related to either human or animals use. 12.13 All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

© 2024by Shashidhar S S, Pramodhkumar Nand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Shashidhar S Sarawad et al. Millets and its benefits according to Ayurveda

Introduction

Ayurveda is a science which talks about maintaining the healthy status of an individual, it promulgates by mentioning about the Ahara and Vihara, we even can find references about the importance of food being prioritized, Acharya Charaka mentions that if an individual takes care of his food habits then there is no need for intake of medicines, among many ideal foods that have been mentioned in Ayurveda, Kshudrashanya or Kudhanya is also one among them, where in it constitutes with rich nutritional benefits and also has the capability of preventing some of the diseased condition also.

Government of India also noticed the importance of millets and encourages the people to grow these millets and it is also noticed that India is one among the top most countries next to Nigeria in production of millets throughout the world.

The most important aspect of this millet is that these crops doesn’t need a lot of water and doesn’t need high maintenance for their production, yet it possesses high nutritional values.

Types of millets produced in India

One can find 7 varieties of millets being grown in India[1]

  • Finger millet.
  • Kodo millet.
  • Pearl millet.
  • Foxtail millet.
  • Barnyard millet.
  • Little millet.
  • Proso millet.

Some of the types of Kshudradhanya mentioned in different Nighantus of Ayurveda

  • Kangu (Priyangu):Foxtail millet.
  • Shyamaka :Barnyard millet.
  • Koradusha (Kodrava) :Kodo millet.
  • Cheenaka :Proso millet.
  • Nartaki :Finger millet.
  • Gaveduka :Adlay millet.
  • Yavanaala :Sorghum.

Properties of Kshudradhanya

In Ayurveda also there is a mentioning of millets in the name of Kshudradhanya and we can see its mentioning in Nighantus such as Bhavaprakasha, Kaiyyadeva Nigantu and also in Charaka Samhitha.

The properties of some of the Kshudradhanya mentioned in Ayurveda are:

Acharya Priyavat Sharma has mentioned about Kshudra Dhanya elaboratively.[2]

Sanskrit nameEnglish nameBotanical nameGunaRasaViryaKarma
KodravaKodo milletPaspalum scrobiculatumLaghu, RukshaKashaya-MadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphapitta Shamaka, Shoshaka
ShyamakaBarnyard milletEchinochloa frumentaceaeLaghu, RukshaKashaya-MadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphapitta Shamaka, Shoshaka
NeevaraWild riceHygroryza aristataRuksha, ShitaKashaya-MadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphapitta Shamaka,
GavedhukaJob’s tearsCoix lacrymaRuksha, ShitaKashaya-MadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphapitta Shamaka,
KanguItalian milletSetaria italicaGuru, RukshaKashaya-MadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphanashaka, Brihmana, Bhagnasandhanaka
ChinakaCommon milletPanicum miliaceumGuru, RukshaKashaya-MadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphanashaka, Brihmana,
JurnaGreat milletSorghum vulgareLaghu, RukshaKashaya-MadhuraShitaKaphapitta Nashaka, Shukranashana, Kledahara
MadhulikaFinger milletEleusine coracanaLaghuKashaya-Tikta-MadhuraShitaTriptikaraka, Pittashamaka, Tridosha Shamaka
VajrannaPearl milletPennisetum typhoidesRuksha, UshnaMadhuraShitaKapha-Vatanashaka, Balya, Pumsatvahara
MahakayaMaizeZea maysRukshaMadhuraShitaVatavardhaka, Kaphapitta Shaman, Vishtambhi.

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All of the Dravya in Kshudra Varga belongs to the family Graminae, Most of the Dhanyas present in Kshudra Dhanya possesses Guru, Laghu, Ruksha Guna, Kashya, Madhura Rasa, Shita Virya, and does Kaphapitta Shamana, Dravyas such as Kangu does Bhagnasandhanakarma, Vajranna does Pumsatvahara and Mahakaya does Vishtambhi action.[3]

In Bhavapraksha Nighantu the explanation regarding Kshudradhanya has been mentioned in the Dhanyavarga chapter, where in the author explains about the Kshudra Dhanya as - Kshudra Dhanya is also called as Kudhanya or Trinadhanya, almost all the Kshudra Dhanya possesses Gunas such as Ushna, Laghu, Ruksha, Madhura Rasa, Katu Vipaka, Lekhana and Kleda Shoshana as its Karma and is Vatakara, with its excess consumption it might lead to Baddha Vit, and it can be used for Kaphanashana and in Raktavikara.[4]

Apart from Kshudradhanya present in Priyavath Sharma, we can find some of the additional Kshudra Dhanyas in Bhavaprakasha such as, Charuka (Sharabeeja & Vamshayava (Kusumbha Beeja).[5]

NameGunaRasaKarma
Charuka (Sharabeeja)Ruksha, Shita, Lagu Kashaya, MadhuraVatakara, Kaphahara, Raktapitta Nashaka
VamshayavaSnigdha, Shita, GuruMadhura, KashayaVata-Kaphahara, Raktapitta Nashaka

The author Kaiyyadeva also mentions about the Trunadhanya, they are - Sitakanguka, Shyamaka, Kodrava, Uddala, Nartaka, Gavedhuka, Devadhanya, Vruka, Varittika, Udri, Naadi, Toyaparni, Mukunda and Shimbira.[6] Although the information regarding all the above mentioned Trinadhanya is not available. The information provided in Kaiyyadeva is almost similar to that of Bhavapraksha except the author Kaiyyadeva has mentioned the synonyms also along with the Guna-Karma. The Trinadhanya - Madhulika mentioned in Bhavaprakasha is mentioned as Nartaka in Kaiyyadeva Nighantu. In Ashtanga Hridaya also we can similar explanation in the chapter of Annaswarupavijnaniya Adhyaya. Wherein the author mentions about 4 varieties of Trna Dhanya.[7]

NameEnglish nameBotanical name
KangukaIndian millet/Foxtail milletSeratia italic
Kodrava Kodo milletPaspalum scrobiculatum
Neevara Bengal wild riceHygroryza aristata
Shyamaka Little milletPanicum sumatrense

Sushrutha in 46th chapter - Annapaanavidhi Adhyaya has mentioned about Kshudra Dhanyaas Kudhanya. Sushrutha has mentioned about 16 varieties of Kshudra Dhanya - Koradushaka (Kodrava), Shyamaka, Nivaara, Shantanu, Varaka, Uddlaka, Priyangu, Madhulika, Nandimukhi, Kuruvinda, Gavedhuka, Sara, Varuka, Todaparni, Mukundaka, Venuyava. Among all these varieties the author has explained the Guna Karmas of Priyangu, Madhuli, Varuka and Venuyava.[8]

Acharya Charaka in the 26th chapter Sutrasthana, Annaswarupa Adhyaya has mentioned about Kshudradhanya by mentioning about Koradusha and Shyamaka and also mentioned some varieties such as - Hastishyamaka, Neevara, Toyaparni, Gavedhuka, Prashantika, Ambhashyamaka, Lauhitya, Anu, Priyangu, Mukjunda, Jhinti, Garmuti, Varuka, Varaka, Shimbira, Utkata and Jurna. And the author mentions that all these varieties has similar properties as Shyamaka.[9]

Mode of action of different Kshudradhanya in different diseases

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder with hyperglycemia being the characteristic feature. The efficiency of insulin and glucose receptors in the body is increased by the significant levels of magnesium content present in millets and help in preventing diabetes.

Sorghum contains slow digestible starch in a good amount which in turn helps in increasing the time period of the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine. Also, sorghum is rich in fiber content and it has a low glycemic index which in turn helps in reducing the blood sugar level. Even pearl millet and finger millet shows a similar activity that it has lower glycemic index and helps in digesting the food slowly and in turn release the glucose in t the blood stream in a steady pace. And also in a study it was found that the polyphenols in the finger millet were the major factor contributing for the anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant property.[10] 

Gastro-intestinal disorders

Millets can also help in preventing some of the gastrointestinal disorders like gastric ulcers, bloating, caelic diseases, constipation etc.


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with the presence of rich fiber content in it millets can have a very positive effect on these above mentioned disorders.[11]

Cancer

Presence of the fiber content in the millets is the contributory factor for the prevention of deadliest diseases like cancer especially colon and breast cancer. It is also documented that fibre content present in sorghum can prevent oesophageal cancer than in those individuals who consume maize or wheat. Recent researches has also shed the light about the importance of fiber content in the prevention of breast cancer.[12]

Anti-oxidant property

Apart from these Millets also has their effect on neutralizing the free radicals that is the anti-oxidant properties. It was found that there is presence of nearly 40-50 phenolic compounds such as phenolic acid, flavonols etc. are present and hence it can act as a natural antioxidant.[13]

Conclusion

With many of the Indian population is suffering from non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension, it is high time that we concentrate more on what we eat, our food habits etc. And now with the recent research about the millets it is the apt time for the people to switch their dieting habits to save themselves from against these non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer and other metabolic disorders.

Almost all the authors in the field of Ayurveda has mentioned a similar set of Gunas to describe Kshudra Dhanyas in general that is they are - Laghu, Ruksa, Ushna Guna, Kashya-Madhura Rasa, Shita Virya in nature and helps to alleviate the Kapha Vata Dosha. With this we can come to the understanding that it can be used in disorders where in there is involvement of Kapha and Vata Dosha.[14]

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations organized an official Opening Ceremony for the International Year of Millets - 2023 at Rome, Italy.[15] The main reason for this initiative is due to 2 reasons one is the economical reason and the other is based purely based on its nutritional benefits.

It is easier to grow millets because it can be cultivated even in marginal lands in dry areas, since it is photo-insensitive in nature and can be cultivated intropical, subtropical and temperate regions, and also it will not take a lot to invest in the cultivation of the millets. They are less expensive and also more superior to the traditionally consumed foods such as rice and wheat which rather contains high carbohydrate levels, in the contrary millets contain high concentration of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.[16]

Mainly the millets are a rich source of calcium, and magnesium. With this a country as a whole can prevent many metabolic diseases especially among women and children.[17]

References

1. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.

2. Priyavat Sharma, Dravyaguna Vijnana Vol 3, Chapter 2, Varanasi, Chaukamba Bharati Academy, Reprint 2011. P.145.

3. V. Sharma, Dravyaguna Vijnana Vol 3, Chapter 2, Varanasi, Chaukamba Bharati Academy, Reprint 2011. P.145.

4. C. Chunekar, Bhavamishra, Chapter 8, Dhanya varga 75.

5. Priyavat Sharma, Dravyaguna Vijnana Vol 3, Chapter 2, Varanasi, Chaukamba Bharati Academy, Reprint 2011. P.145.

6. Guruprasad Sharma, Kaiyyadeva nighantu, Chapter 3, Dhanya varga, 1st edition, Chaukambha Orientalia Varanasi, 1979, p.318.

7. T Shreekumar, Ashtanga hridaya, Sutrasthana, 6th chapter, Edition 1, Harisree publications, Thrisur, Kerala.

8. Shrikantha murty, Sushrutha samhitha, 46th chapter, sutrasthana, Chaukambha Orientalia Varanasi.

9. Vidhyadhar Shukla, Charaka samhitha, 27th chapter, Annapana vidhi adhyaya, 1st edition, Chaukambha Orientalia Varanasi.

10. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.


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11. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.

12. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.

13. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.

14. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavamishra, Chapter 8, Dhanya varga 75.

15. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.

16. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.

17. Rao D, Bhaskarachary K, Christina A, Devi S, Tonapi V. Nutritionaln and Health Benefits of Millets. ICAR, editor. 81(5):111.


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