Navara Rice is a staple food grown largely in the state of Kerala, especially in northern Kerala. It is an indigenous medicinal Rice variety of Kerala. There are two varieties of navara - the black colour glumed and golden yellow colour glumed. But the rice is purple in colour in both cases.
Navara is grown in nine districts of Kerala-namely Palakkad, Malappuram, Calicut, Wayanad, Kannur, Trichur, Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alleppey.
The rice is also known as “Shashtika Rice” for its unique and peculiar characteristic requirement of only sixty days to grow and mature. Navara is an ancient medicinal rice variety which has unique medicinal characteristics widely used in Ayurvedic treatments like in Panchakarma treatment from very olden times.
It is also used as a health food especially in rainy seasons. Navara Rice is valued for its curative properties in circulatory, digestive and rheumatic complaints. Ayurveda uses Navara Rice in the treatment of paralysis and other neuromuscular conditions.
Referance of Navara as "Shashtika rice" are found in ancient ayurvedic scriptures like 'Susrutha Samhitha', date back approximately to 400-200 B.C. and in ‘Ashtanga Hrudaya’ date back approximately to 600 A.D. “Navara kizhi” and “Navaratheppu” are two main components of Ayurvedic treatment in Kerala. “Navara” in the above mentioned two methods itself denote the importance of Navara Rice.
Seed of Navara has short life cycle. After 5-6 months of storage the viability of the seed reduces considerably. Scriptures prescribe Navara to be kept at least for a year as paddy before conversion to rice for better results. Raw rice of Navara is used. Navara rice is easily digestible and hence a light food and has got a unique taste.
Cooked with milk and herbs, it can treat internal wounds. Navara rice bran oil is used for a wide range of aches and painful conditions like cervical spondylosis, low backache, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis. Ayurvedic doctors effectively use Navara rice paste, lepanam, to treat psoriasis. The paste is also an excellent remedy for skin lesions. Rice gruel made of Navara is considered beneficial in preventing various diseases and is also considered a safe food for diabetics.
GI Tag Registration Date : 23 November 2007
GI Tag Number : 17
Certificate Number : 40
Geographical Area : Kerala
Special Cover Release Date : 13 October 2021
Cancellation : Palakkad 678 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : KL-28/2021
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