Kitchari Cleanse: What is it? Why do it?
An ancient recipe steeped in health benefits.
There’s this amazing Indian Mart here in Omaha. Every single time I go in there, they literally take my list and get everything for me. It’s seriously the best customer service, they take care of you, ya feel me. It was one of my first times purchasing items for a Kitchari Cleanse. When the woman asked me what I was making, she smiled and said “Oh my mom and grandmother make the best kitchari, it’s like your chicken noodle soup. They made it whenever we were sick.” I remember thinking to myself, well duhh of course the mama’s use Kitchari as medicine, it’s because it is one of the most nourishing and easily digestible meals. Not only is kitchari extremely nourishing for your body, it’s also detoxifying and cleansing. Super easy to make and super customizable. Traditionally Kitchari Cleanses were practiced for 21 days, eating only kitchari, with fruit and nuts as snacks. The nuumber of days have been and can be modified to fit our modern schedules. But truly even one bowl holds magical powers, that I can promise.
Kitchari (kich-uh-ree) is the traditional cleansing food of Ayurveda. It is a combination of split mung beans (moong dal) and white basmati rice with a lot of spices. Kitchari is balancing for all doshic constitutions so it’s super safe for anyone to enjoy. The ancients say that Kitchari is the most easily digestible food for the human being. The combination of rice and moong dal provides all the amino acids needed to form a complete protein. The protein content of kitchari supports stable blood sugar levels so that energy and mental clarity are balanced during the cleansing process.
Agni (ahg-knee), or your digestive fire (in western terms it’s your metabolism), is considered in Ayurveda to be the golden key to all health. Kitchari is warming, full of prana (life force) and gives your overused digestive system a chance to rest so your body can heal. Kitchari promotes ojas (o-jah-s, this is your immunity/vitality), good health, longevity and is extremely healing for agni. Good agni means we are able to digest, assimilate, and absorb nutrients from our food. Weak or imbalanced agni means malabsorption and accumulation of ama or toxins in the body. Think of agni as the transformative energy, when low, not much transformation going on, you’re stuck, heavy, unmotivated, when high, you’re creative, healthy, glowing, you are truly transforming. Kitchari also helps to liquefy ama, this makes it easier for the body to remove toxins, making this one of the best detoxification methods.
It tastes good AND it’s good for you?! That’s right my friend. It tastes good AND it’s good for you. Super easily customizable, you can add whatever veggies you are vibing with depending on your doshas, you can add more water or coconut milk to create a more soupy texture or if the “thicka the betta” is your vibe, less liquid. Kitchari is packed with protein but totally add anything you want. One bowl a day is a great place to start, a serving size is two “anjali’s” (on-jah-lee) or two handfuls of your hands.
So what are the benefits of Kitchari? The easier question here might be what are not the benefits of Kitchari. Kitchari is a feel good, nourishing, deeply healing warm bowl of magic.
Benefits:
-Eliminates accumulated toxins from the mind and body tissues.
-Improves digestion and restores regular healthy bowel movements.
-Removes heaviness or congestion in the body
-Supports a healthy body weight
-Improves energy (prana) and vitality (ojas).
-Promotes overall health and wellness.
-Easy to digest, beneficial for all dosha types: tri-doshic.
-Most recommended meal: sickness, chronic illness, weakness, pre/postnatal + detox.
-”Perfect Protein Source” contains all 9 essential amino acids.
-High in nutrients
-Great source of dietary fiber
-Cancer-fighting and anti-aging antioxidants
-Nutrient dense
-Improves heart and colon health
-Reduces Inflammation
-Increases circulation
-Boosts immunity
I could legit go on and on and on and on about the benefits of Kitchari. Every couple of months I do a week of kitchari for lunch. It makes it super easy to follow and integrate into daily life.
When you’re ready to try a Kitchari Cleanse, I offer a DIY 15 day Kitchari Cleanse, included: a very detailed manual pdf filled with wisdom, recipes, lifestyle, movement and breath/meditation practices, option to add kitchari supplies.
Every spring and fall I offer a group cleanse, a community of people collectively detoxing. It’s a powerful experience. And a much needed experience. Everyone should clean out our their body and mind once or twice a year.
7 Day Fall Group Cleanse 2023 *Details coming soon!
Interested in a Kitchari Supply Kit?! I gotchu.
