Red Rice Desi
(देसी लाल चावल)

1The traditional belief that this variety grows in mere sixty days has given it a ‘Sathka’. This sturdy variety grows on the upland with very little water. In unpolished form the rice grain looks entirely red. This ancient variety also finds mention in Ayurveda as nutritious and medicinal rice for women especially beneficial for adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women. It has also been mentioned as influential in the treatment of various ailments of diarrhea, vomiting, fever etc. The rice is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and has two to three times as much zinc and iron as white rice. Pharmological and clinical trials with red rice has shown antifungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, ant-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-thyroid and anti-hyper cholesterolemic activities. This makes Sathka a boon for diabetic patients and those looking for losing weight.