A long, medium or short, small brown tropical grain. Short grain rice has a nuttier flavour, chewier consistency and is better for the nervous or frail person and cooler seasons than long grain.
Nutrients
Carbohydrate, protein (7%) (complete if combined with beans, legumes, seeds or soy products), concentrated B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6), essential fatty acids (5%), vitamin E, fibre, magnesium, calcium, silicon, phosphorous, iron, zinc, low sodium, biotin, pantothenic and folic acid, selenium (if in soil), copper.
Cautions
Brown rice is harder to digest than white rice. The oils in brown rice can go rancid during storage.
Adverse Reactions
Beriberi (thiamine deficiency) from eating white rice
Benefits and Uses
Hypoallergic, anti depressant, anthelmintic, nervous system tonic, nutritive, anti neoplastic, detoxifier, cleansing, anti emetic, antioxidant, tonifies, lowers cholesterol, promotes growth and healing, reduces fatigue (B vitamins), reduces risk of bowel cancer, breast and prostate cancers. Anti diarrhoea (rehydrates body increases stool volume), beneficial to nervous system (B vits). Alleviates irritability associated with summer heat. Cleansing to a drug and alcohol abused liver, inhibits candida yeast growth. Good for weakness and pallor, calms and focuses the body and mind.
Wholegrain basmati rice is slightly aromatic and is considered lighter than other rices making it appropriate for damp, overweight or other stagnant conditions.
To feed babies who cannot tolerate their mother’s milk (see below).
Germinated rice contains ten times the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important amino acid. Research has found that brown rice sprouts – tiny buds less than a millimetre tall – contain an inhibitor of an enzyme called protylendopetidase, which is implicated in Alzheimer's disease.
Preparation
For better texture soaked in water for about 30 min before cooking. Soaking reduces cooking time, thereby saving energy. If soaked, rinse before cooking, add 2 1/2 cups water to each cup of brown rice used, cook until all water has boiled off – about 35 minutes. If not soaked, rinse before cooking, add 3 cups water to each cup brown rice used, cook until all water has boiled off. Rice should be eaten with green and non-starchy vegetables.
As a remedy for infants: Roasted Rice Tea
Pan roast rice until dark brown, add water and simmer for 20 minutes. This liquid (strained) can be drunk 2-3 times a day.