Perfect recipe

Perfect recipe

the hilly regions of Garhwal and Kumaon have an incredible cure for kidney stones -- the gahat dal. Unfortunately, the miraculous effects of the dal are unknown in other parts of the country, despite the problem of stones in kidney being quite widespread. Ayurveda explains that gahat or horse-gram, as it is known in most parts of the world, is invaluable for getting rid of the stones because it is a diuretic (substance that increases urine flow). Gahat soup consumed twice a day for about a month proves to be the most effective. Besides, having gahat dal on a regular basis is the best way to avoid the formation of the stones. The dal should be taken more often in winter, as during this season vegetables causing stone formation are consumed more often.

Gahat is also used as a treatment for leucorrhoea (discharge from vagina) and menstrual disorders in the hilly regions. Being rich in iron, proteins and calcium, the pulse is ideal for children.

Apart from India, Gahat is also cultivated in the dry areas of Australia, Burma and Sri Lanka. There was confusion about its identity for a long time owing to its resemblance to the lobia pulse, but recently botanists have classified it as Dolichos biflorus (a variety of beans). Though the crop has high drought-tolerance, it cannot stand floods and suffers from pod rot during wet conditions. But it can adapt to a wide range of soils, including the saline variety.

Jogendra Bisht is director of Lok Chetna Manch, a Ranikhet-based non-governmental organisation (NGO); Akshay Shah is executive member of Kumaon Community College, another Ranikhet-based NGO