Horse Grams (Kulthi Dal): Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects

Thin and round in shape, horse gram is a dark brown coloured legume which has been used for centuries in Ayurveda.

There are numerous Kollu benefits and uses. It helps treat different diseases and disorders along with providing essential nutrients to the body when consumed regularly.

Rich in protein and fibre, kollu has several nutritional benefits that boost metabolism and ensure overall well-being. The table shown below contains information about horse gram nutrition per 100 g:

Horse grams are filled with all those essential nutrients, which are necessary for maintaining our health and preventing/treating health conditions.

Here are some of the top kulthi dal benefits that will help you understand how you can make the most of these small seeds:

Helps in Lowering Blood Sugar Levels

The best horse gram sprouts benefits is that it helps in reducing insulin resistance in the body. Consuming them can also help in lowering the rate of digestion of carbohydrates (a factor that balances the blood glucose concentration).

For this reason, kulthi dal can be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as their consumption proves to be beneficial for diabetics, thanks to their ability to lower blood sugar levels in the body.

Relieves Constipation to Some Extent

An unhealthy lifestyle, mineral deficiency, and lack of water and fibre in the body lead to constipation. As horse gram has fibre present in it, it helps in reducing problems like constipation.

Soaking horse grams for some hours and then consuming them can give effective results in treating constipation and keeping the digestive system trouble-free.

Helps in Losing Weight

Consuming kulthi dal every day can help with weight loss. To reduce or control weight, you can mix cumin powder with kulthi dal.

The low carbohydrate content and high amount of protein and fibre in the beans help in reducing body fat (by reducing the bad cholesterol and boosting good cholesterol levels), which can be the cause of obesity.

Helpful for Treating Menstrual Problems

The horse gram benefits for females includes relief from menstrual problems. Heavy bleeding, irregular periods, severe cramps- all these problems can be reduced by using horse grams. The good amount of iron in horse grams helps in maintaining haemoglobin levels, which in turn, alleviates period-related problems.

Treats Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are composed of calcium and oxalate. Kulthi dal prevents the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys. Additionally, the abundance of iron and powerful antioxidants, such as polyphenols, in horse grams helps in breaking down kidney stones.

One way of consuming horse grams for treating kidney stones is by soaking them in a bowl of water overnight and eating them the next morning.

Improves Liver Functions

Thanks to the antioxidants (such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and proteins) present in horse grams and their hepatoprotective effect on the body, eating horse grams in raw form serves as a great tool for protecting the liver and improving its functioning.

Besides, horse grams are also helpful in maintaining the purity of blood, as they protect it from unwanted chemicals that toxify the blood.

Treats Cold, Fever, and Bronchitis

Horse grams can also be used to get relief from cold and fever. To treat a blocked chest and blocked nose, you should consume horse gram soup. This soup softens the mucous membrane and melts the mucus which, as a result, helps in treating a blocked nose.

Furthermore, the nutrients that horse grams have also improve the metabolism of the body and strengthen immunity.

Cures Skin Disorders

Skin disorders, like rashes, boils, pimples, leucoderma, etc., can be cured by applying horse gram paste on the skin.

This paste clears the facial dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. It also increases collagen synthesis and protects the skin from damage by free radicals.

The astringent, antimicrobial, and antibacterial characteristics of this legume provide nourishment to the skin and help prevent/treat skin infections and skin disorders.

Improves Digestion

The fibre in horse grams is beneficial for improving digestion and keeping the digestive system healthy and better. Along with this, it can also help in reducing flatulence, preventing indigestion, and eliminating intestinal worms.

To get the best kulthi dal benefits, you should eat the kulthi dal on an empty stomach, especially in the morning.

Beneficial in Ulcers

According to Ayurveda, horse grams are beneficial for various types of ulcers, except for for gastric ulcers.

The lipids in horse gram have anti-ulcer properties, for this reason, horse gram proves to be very useful for people suffering from peptic and mouth ulcers.

Increases the Sperm Count

Horse grams contain a major section of those nutrients (particularly phosphorus, iron, calcium, and amino acids), which improve sperm quality and count in males.

The minerals present in horse grams boost the blood supply to reproductive organs which increases sperm production.

Promotes Healthy Bone Structure

Horse gram is a rich source of protein, iron, and most importantly, calcium. As compared to other pulses, horse grams contain the highest amount of calcium- a crucial nutrient which strengthens bones and results in bone fortification.

Uses of Horse Grams

From consuming it raw, soaking it in water, making a paste of it (for applying it topically) to cooking various dishes from it, horse gram can be used in countless ways. Here are some tips and tricks that you can follow to make the most out of horse grams:

Horse Gram Paste

Soak 50 g of horse grams for 10-12 hours.

When soaked completely, pour them through a sieve to remove the water.

Put the grams in the jar and add half a cup of water to it.

Turn on the mixer and make a paste of the items in the jar.

Use the paste topically on your skin.

Horse Gram/ Kollu Dal

• Soak 1 cup of horse gram overnight.

• In the morning, take a cooker, add soaked horse grams, and 2-3 cups of water to it.

• Put salt and turmeric as per your taste.

• Put the lid on and wait until the cooker whistles 5-6 times and turn off the burner.

• Take a pan, pour 1 tbsp ghee in it and wait until it gets hot.

• Once melted, add half tsp of cumin and mustard seeds and a pinch of asafoetida in the pan and let them crackle.

• Open the cooker, mash horse grams with a masher and add them to the pan.

• Leave the ingredients to simmer in the pan for about 5 minutes.

• Turn off the flame and put some chopped coriander leaves in it.

• Serve your delicious dal on a plate and enjoy it with rice, parathas, or naans.

Horse Gram Soup/ South Indian Kollu Rasam

• Take a large iron pan, add 2 tsp oil to it and heat it.

• Once heated, add 1 tsp mustard seeds, ¼ tsp kasuri methi, ½ tsp cumin seeds, and 2 curry leaves to it.

• Take 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp soaked horse gram and make a paste in a jar.

• Pour this paste into the pan and saute for 2 minutes.

• Chop a tomato and add it to the pan along with 1 cup tamarind extract, ½ tsp jaggery, 1 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp turmeric.

• Put on the lid and boil it for 10 minutes.

• After 10 minutes, add 2 cups of water and mix well.

• Boil the soup for 2 minutes and put coriander leaves in the end.

• Your soup is ready to be savoured.

As it is evident, kulthi dal is very nutritious, but it should not be consumed in large quantities as its overconsumption can cause the following issues:

Gout- Excessive consumption of horse grams can lead to gout. This is because they are rich in purine and when the body breaks down purine, uric acid is produced. High uric acid can result in gout and joint pain.

Flatulence- Since horse grams is a good source of fibre, consuming it limitlessly can cause flatulence and digestive problems.

Allergies- People who are allergic to legumes can get allergies by eating horse grams even in small quantities.

Bloating and Gas- The high amount of carbohydrates in horse grams can lead to bloating and gas if you consume too much of it in a day.

Important Note: If you take medicines for anaemia, bleeding-related problems, or tuberculosis or if you are pregnant, avoid eating horse gram without the supervision of a doctor.

Horse gram is an underutilised legume that offers a whole gamut of health benefits along with different uses. It is an effective element in the treatment of skin disorders, constipation, menstrual problems, kidney stones, colds, fever, and digestive problems.

However, it is important to ensure that you consume horse grams moderately so as to avoid complications that may arise due its overconsumption.

Along with keeping an eye on your diet, you must ensure that you have additional support to overcome the financial burden in case any health complications arise. The best option for being financially secure against expensive medical treatments is to buy health insurance online from Tata AIG.

At Tata AIG, you can choose from a range of health insurance plans, like individual health insurance, family floater plans, senior citizens health insurance and more.

Additionally, we offer health insurance plans with facilities like cashless insurance, that will save you from the hassle of paying the bills out of your pocket and guarantee a smooth settlement process so that the only thing you need to focus on is your speedy recovery.

To read more about our medical insurance policies, explore our Tata AIG website.

How to eat horse gram for weight loss?

You can either consume soaked horse grams directly or use horse gram powder on an empty stomach.

Can we eat horse gram at night?

There is no harm in eating horse gram at night, however, to take complete advantage of the nutrients present in horse gram, you should consume it in the morning before eating anything else.

Can I eat horse gram every day?

Yes. Horse grams can be eaten regularly i.e. every day. But you should keep limits on the amount of its consumption to avoid possible side effects that can be caused by excessive consumption of horse grams.

Is horse gram hot for the body?

Yes. Horse gram can produce heat in the body, especially when it is taken in the form of soup. Horse gram soup is perfect for winter as its consumption will keep you warm on colder days.

Disclaimer: This is a general guide on Horse Grams (Kulthi Dal): Health Benefits, Uses & Side Effects. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. It is advisable to consult a qualified health professional for treatment in severe cases.