There is one grain that has been quietly making a comeback in Kerala’s rich gastronomical and medicinal heritage: navara red rice. That is what it is known as in Kerala and it has been a part of Kerala’s Ayurvedic heritage for centuries. And now that more and more people are turning to holistic living and natural health, Navara red rice is once again on the family table — not just for the distinctive flavor, but due to its cleaner, more sophisticated health properties.
As increased awareness of millet foods and healthy cereals creates a health imperative, Navara rice emerges as a health necessity for people suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetes, inflammation, and digestive problems.
What is Navara Red Rice?
Navara rice, also known as Njavara and navara ari, is an unusual, medicinal red rice which one can trace in Kerala. It is from the Oryza sativa crop but in all other features is different, such as in color, softness, and medicinal value. Navara is not usually cultivated in large numbers like other types of rice and thus is rare and valuable.
This rice has also been given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is thus regional as well as associated with the agricultural and cultural heritage of Kerala.
Ayurvedic Significance of Navara Ari
Navara rice is an Ayurvedic “Shashtika Shali” or a 60-day ripening rice which is said to possess a curative quality. It is used in some Ayurvedic treatments like:
Navarakizhi (herbal rice bolus massage)
Medicinal porridge for recovery in postnatal period
Navara dietary diet for chronic disease and immunocompromised
Navara has been established to correct the body doshas (Pitta, Kapha, Vata) which it constitutes a typical Ayurvedic food grain in a attempt to re-vitalize and recharge.
What Makes Navara Red Rice Popular?
1. High Nutritional Value
Navara rice abounds with:
Natural antioxidants
Iron and minerals
Dietary fibre content of high level
Slow complex carbohydrate
These characteristics render it a preferred choice for health-conscious consumers. In contrast to white rice, Navara will not lose its bran coat, making it healthier and more satiating.
2. Diabetic Health
Diabetics searching for the healthiest millet share navara red rice‘s similar low-glycemic advantages. It is slowly digested in the blood stream, keeping sugars steady and averting peaks — a mammoth problem for diabetics.
Navara’s fiber and antioxidant levels also normalize blood sugar, so it is a better option than plain white rice or even some processed millet staple foods.
3. Best for Recovery and Therapeutic Purposes
Navara rice is usually prescribed to:
Convalescents
Malnourished children
Older individuals
Surgical or disease convalescents
Its smooth texture and easy digestibility are softly on the stomach but offer good, sustained energy and therapeutic benefits.
4. Gluten-Free and Anti-Inflammatory
Like most of the millet foods in India, Navara rice is gluten-free in nature and therefore celiac disease and gluten intolerance friendly. Also, as it is anti-inflammatory, it is also ideal for those suffering from arthritis, asthma, or other inflammatory diseases.
5. Ecologically Friendly & Conventionally Grown
Navara is grown organically with traditional farm practices without the application of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. It meets the increasing demand for millet food and organic grain that is healthy and sustainable.
Preparation of Navara Rice
Ease of preparation is another plus point of Navara. With a subtle nutty flavor, Navara is chewy and best prepared as:
Medicinal porridges (Karkidaka kanji)
Daily meals boiled rice
Desserts of rice
Herbal gruels administered in Ayurvedic treatment
Navara can be pressure-cooked or soaked overnight and cooked rapidly for instant use. It is complemented by lentils, ghee, and traditional Kerala dishes like thoran and aviyal.
Navara vs. Other Grains: Why It Reigns
Whereas millet foods such as ragi, bajra, and foxtail millet become popular for centuries of health benefit, Navara has a distinct therapeutic advantage. It is food and medicine, scientifically established healing powers well rooted in India’s centuries-old Ayurvedic heritage.
| Feature | Navara Red Rice | Millets |
|---|---|---|
| Glycemic Index | Low | Low to Medium |
| Ayurveda Relevance | Highly recommended | Moderately used |
| Texture & Taste | Soft, nutty, and slightly chewy | Varied – some are dry or slightly crumbly |
| Cooking Versatility | Ideal for porridges, meals, and desserts | Commonly used in flatbreads, snacks, and dosas |
- Therapeutic Use
- Used in Ayurvedic therapies
- Limited traditional use
Selecting the Best Millet and Rice Brand in India
There’s increased demand, and now all the big brands stock red rice and millet varieties. But they are not equal. It is important to select the best millet brand in India — one that provides:
- Ethical sourcing
- No chemical treatment
- GI-certified varieties
- Transparency in traceability
Companies which focus on quality rather than quantity are likely to preserve the nutritional and medicinal purity of grains such as Navara rice.
Why Megavita?
We at Megavita are proud to introduce ancient grains like navara red rice into modern kitchens. Our Navara rice is:
Naturally grown
Harvested conventionally
Freshly packed and hygienically
Online for nationwide delivery
With commitment to a healthier way of life, we are India’s top millet brand — not merely, but a go-to health food shop selling pure Ayurvedic superfood. navara ari or natural medicines through foods on us can be relied upon to be pure, unadulterated, in every and every seed.
Final Thoughts
Navara red rice’s return is not just a food trend — it’s a journey to India’s natural, medicated heritage. With increasingly consumers avoiding highly processed staples, ancient grains such as Navara and millets are cropping up as diet staples in contemporary wellness at lightning speed.
So if you’d like to stock your pantry shelves with restorative heritage foods, Navara rice is a great place to begin. And when it comes to learning how to locate high-quality sources of navara red rice, navara ari, or navara rice online, nobody is better equipped to guide you than Megavita — your holistic and sustainable nutrition ally.