Ayurvedic Insight into Kshudra Dhanya: A Review on the Nutritional and Health Benefits of Millets
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70066/jahm.v14i1.2425Keywords:
Millet, Trinadhanya, Kudhanya, Diet, Nutrition, Lifestyle, AaharAbstract
Background: Ayurveda the science of life, grossly classified into 8 limbs knows as Ashtaangas. There are other branches like the culinary science that remains less explored, which highlights the different branches of food edibles, food processing, dietary rules etc. The different branches of edibles are explained in different texts of Ayurveda. One such branch is the Kshudra Dhanya or the millets. Enriched with nutrients, they serve as the most preferred meal in today’s era of lifestyle disorders. But little is said, about the Ayurvedic view on millets. Objective: This article aims to highlight the varieties of Kshudra Dhanya (Millet) which marks up to 13 varieties; and nutritional analysis the different Kshudra Dhanya, and exploring their health benefits. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of Ayurveda classic, modern literatures and published scholarly article were done. This data has been analyzed, and reported in summarized view to explore the role of millets in prevention and treatment of Non-Communicable Diseases. Result: Millets contain high amount of dietary fiber, protein, vitamin and minerals. According Ayurveda millets mainly pacifies Pitta & Kapha Dosha along with maintaining homeostasis with Rakta Dhatu. It aggravates Vata Dosha when consumed for a prolong period. Millets are good for the individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Conclusion: In today’s fast pacing world, millets come as a boon to the society. Millets benefits in diseases like Obesity, Diabetes, CVD, Hyperlipidemia etc. attracts the people’s attention towards this poor man’s crop.
References
Pandey G. S (editor). Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra: chapter 8, Verse no. no.2, Reprint-2015 edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy;2015;623
Ambati K, Sucharitha KV. Millets-review on nutritional profiles and health benefits. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research. 2019;10(7):33943-8. Available from: https://www.recentscientific.com/sites/default/files/14234-A-2019.pdf [last accessed on August 13, 2025].
Sastry J.L.N (editor). Madanapala Nighantu, chapter 10, Verse no. no.61, 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2010;801
Pandey G.S. (editor). Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra: chapter 8, Verse no. no.74-77, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, 2015; 643
Yadavji Trikamji (editor). Commentary: Ayurveda Deepika of Chakrapani on Charaka Samhita of Charaka, Sutrasthana, chapter 27, Verse no. no.16, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2015;154
Sharma P. V., Sharma G. P. (editor). Kaiyadeva Nighantuh (Pathyapathya- Vibodhakah), Chapter 3, Verse no. no.96-97, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2009;318
Vaishya L.S. (editor). Shaaligram Nighantu Bhushanam, Verse no. 62-64, Reprint edition, Mumbai; Khemraj Shrikrishnadas Prakashan, 1999;636
Paradakara H.S. (editor). Commentary: Sarvangasundara of Arunadatta and Ayurvedarasayana of Hemadri on Astanga hrudaya of Vagbhata, Sutrasthana, chapter 6, Verse no. no.11, Reprint edition, Varanasi, Chowkhambha Sanskrit Sansthan;2014;86
Venkat P, Gangadharan G.G. (editor). Bhojanakutuhalam of Raghunathasuri, Dhanya Prakaranam, 1st edition, Bangalore; Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine;2012;28-29
Kallianpur S.S, Gokarn R.A. (editor). Mahabhaishajya Aahara, Dhanya Varga, chapter 2. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2018; 18-19
Kallianpur S.S, Gokarn R.A. (editor). Mahabhaishajya Aahara, Dhanya Varga, chapter 2. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2018; 20-21
Kallianpur S.S, Gokarn R.A. (editor). Mahabhaishajya Aahara, Dhanya Varga, chapter 2. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2018; 22-23
Kallianpur S.S, Gokarn R.A. (editor). Mahabhaishajya Aahara, Dhanya Varga, chapter 2. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2018; 24-25
Kallianpur S.S, Gokarn R.A. (editor). Mahabhaishajya Aahara, Dhanya Varga, chapter 2. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2018; 26-27
Kallianpur S.S, Gokarn R.A. (editor). Mahabhaishajya Aahara, Dhanya Varga, chapter 2. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2018; 28-29
Morya GC, Vinita V, Mishra HS, Shakya S, Bahadur R, Yadav KN. Millets: The Indigenous food grain. Int J Adv Ayurveda Yoga Unani Siddha Homeopathy 2017; 6:450. https://doi.org/10.23953/cloud.ijaayush.328
Neelayathatchi P, Neasri TM, Sanwal CS. Ayurvedic perspective and clinical significance of millets. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci 2023; 12:161-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.12.25
Das, D., Sahu, D., Debanath, S. K., Ekka, R., Mandal, T. K., & Babu, G. (2023). A review on Millets (kshudra dhanya): Nutritional and health benefits in life style diseases. Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine (JAHM), 11(8). Available from: https://jahm.co.in/index.php/jahm/article/view/987/692 [last accessed on August 13, 2025].
Sharma P. V., Sharma G. P. (editor). Kaiyadeva Nighantuh (Pathyapathya- Vibodhakah), chapter 3, Verse no. no.96-97, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2009;319
Jadhava Trikamji J, Ram N (editor). Commentary: Nibandhasangraha of Sri Dalhanacharya, and the Nyayachandrika Panjika of Sri Gayadasacharya on Sushruta Samhita of Sushruta, Sutra Sthana, Annapanavidhi Adhyaya, chapter 46, Verse no. no.24, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Surbharati Prakashan, 2014;216
Paradakara H.S. (editor). Commentary: Sarvangasundara of Arunadatta and Ayurvedarasayana of Hemadri on Astanga hrudaya of Vagbhata, Sutrasthana, chapter 6, Verse no. no.12. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Sanskrit Sansthan;2014;86
Sankhyadhar S.C. (editor). Raj Nighantu of Sri Narhari Pandit, Salyadi Varga, chapter 16, Verse no.132-137, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia;2017; 879
Sastry J.L.N (editor). Madanapala Nighantu, chapter 10, Verse no. no. 62-64, 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2010;803
Sharma P.V. (editor). Priya Nighantu, Dhanya varga, Chapter 10, Verse no. 11-14. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Surbharati Prakashan, 2004; 205
Kamat S.D. (editor). Studies on Medicinal Plants & Drugs in Dhanvantari Nighantu, Suvarnaadi varga, Chapter 6, Verse no.79-80. 1st edition, Delhi; Chowkhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, 2002; 546-547
Dwivedi R.R. (editor). Sodhala Nighantuh of Acharya Sodhala, Trnadhanya vargah, chapter 21, Verse no.920-923. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Krishnadas Academy, 2009; 400
Vaidya B.G (editor). Nighantu Adarsha Vol II, Trunaadi Varga, chapter 123. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy,2009;753-755
Sankhyadhar S.C. (editor). Raj Nighantu of Sri Narhari Pandit, Salyadi Varga, chapter 16, Verse no. 128-131. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia,2017; 880
Pandey G.S. (editor) Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra, Dhanya varga, chapter 8, Verse no.78. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy,2015;644
Gahalawat P, Lamba N, Chaudhary P. Nutritional and health benefits of millets: a review article. J Indian Sys Medicine 2024;12:4-11. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/jism/fulltext/2024/12010/nutritional_and_health_benefits_of_millets__a.2.aspx [last accessed on August 13, 2025].
Pandey G.S. (editor) Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra, Dhanya varga, chapter 8, Verse no.79-80. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy,2015;645
Sankhyadhar S.C. (editor). Raj Nighantu of Sri Narhari Pandit, Salyadi Varga, chapter 16, Verse no. 128-131. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia,2017; 879
Kamat S.D. (editor). Studies on Medicinal Plants & Drugs in Dhanvantari Nighantu, Suvarnaadi varga, Chapter 6, Verse no.77-78. 1st edition, Delhi; Chowkhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, 2002; 545
Sharma P.V., Sharma G.P. (editor) Kaiyadeva Nighantuh (Pathyapathya- Vibodhakah), Dhanya varga: chapter 3, Verse no. 102. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia,2009;319
Dwivedi R.R. (editor) Sodhala Nighantuh of Acharya Sodhala, Trnadhanya vargah, chapter 21, Verse no.924-927. 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Krishnadas Academy,2009;401
Paradakara H.S. (editor). Commentary: Sarvangasundara of Arunadatta and Ayurvedarasayana of Hemadri on Astanga hrudaya of Vagbhata, Sutrasthana, chapter 6, Verse no. no.13, Reprint edition, Varanasi, Chowkhambha Sanskrit Sansthan;2014;86
Vaidya Bapalal. G (editor). Nighantu Adarsha Vol II, Trunaadi Varga, chapter 123. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy,2009;761-763
Pandey G.S. (editor). Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra: chapter 8, Verse no. 81-84, Reprint-2015 edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy;2015;646
Sharma P. V., Sharma G. P. (editor). Kaiyadeva Nighantuh (Pathyapathya- Vibodhakah), Dhanya varga, chapter 3, Verse no. no.106, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2009;321
Sharma P. V., Sharma G. P. (editor). Kaiyadeva Nighantuh (Pathyapathya- Vibodhakah), Dhanya varga, chapter 3, Verse no.107, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2009;321
Pandey G.S. (editor). Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra: chapter 8, Verse no. 85-86, Reprint-2015 edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy;2015;647
Sastry J.L.N. (editor). Madanapala Nighantu, Dhanyaguna varga, chapter 10, Verse no.66-67, 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2010;805-806
Sastry J.L.N. (editor). Madanapala Nighantu, Dhanyaguna varga, chapter 10, Verse no.65, 1st edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2010;804
Kamat S.D. (editor). Studies on Medicinal Plants & Drugs in Dhanvantari Nighantu, Suvarnaadi varga, Chapter 6, Verse no.76. 1st edition, Delhi; Chowkhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, 2002; 544
Sharma P. V., Sharma G. P. (editor). Kaiyadeva Nighantuh (Pathyapathya- Vibodhakah), Dhanya varga, chapter 3, Verse no.103, Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2009;319
Vaidya Bapalal. G (editor). Nighantu Adarsha Vol II, Trunaadi Varga, chapter 123. Reprint edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy,2009;764
Pandey G.S. (editor). Bhavaprakasha Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra, chapter 8, Verse no. 87, Reprint-2015 edition, Varanasi; Chowkhambha Bharati Academy;2015;648
Yousaf L, Hou D, Liaqat H, Shen Q. Millet. A review of its nutritional and functional changes during processing. Food Res Int. 2021; 142:110197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110197
P. Neelayathatchi, Tanuja Manoj Neasri, Chandra Shekhar Sanwal. Ayurvedic perspective and clinical significance of millets. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci 2023; 12:161-174. http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.12.25
Chung YM, Lan YH, Hwang TL, Leu YL. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components from Hygroryza aristata. Molecules. 2011 Feb 25;16(3):1917-27. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules16031917
Tanwar R, Panghal A, Chaudhary G, Kumari A, Chhikara N. Nutritional, phytochemical and functional potential of sorghum: A review. Food Chemistry Advances. 2023 Dec 1; 3:100501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2023.100501
Nowak V, Du J, Charrondière UR. Assessment of the nutritional composition of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Food Chem. 2016; 193:47-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.02.111
Amlani S, Singh AK, Tripathi JS, Narasimha Murthy K, Singh P. Prevention of Sthaulya (Obesity) w.s.r to use of Shree anna- Millets - A review article. JAHM [Internet]. 2023Jun.21 [cited 2025Jul.17];11(5). Available from: https://jahm.co.in/index.php/jahm/article/view/788 [last accessed on August 13, 2025].
ANGRAU [Internet]. Angrau.ac.in. 2020 Available from: https://angrau.ac.in/ANGRU/Latest_Released_Veraities.aspx [last accessed on August 13, 2025].
Saleh ASM, Zhang Q, Chen J, Shen Q. Millet Grains: Nutritional Quality, Processing, and Potential Health Benefits. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety [Internet]. 2013 Apr 8;12(3):281–95. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/1541-4337.12012 [last accessed on August 13, 2025].
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sidhi PrabhuDesai, Sanjeev Tonni, Keertan M S, Arpit Sah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant the Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine (JAHM) the right of first publication. All published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) license, which permits non-commercial sharing, use, distribution, and adaptation with proper attribution and the same license terms.
JAHM ensures free, irrevocable, worldwide access to its content. Users may copy, distribute, display, and share published works for non-commercial purposes with appropriate credit to the author(s) and the journal. Limited printed copies for personal, non-commercial use are allowed under the same license.
If a submission is not accepted for publication, the author(s) will be notified.
By submitting, authors confirm that the work is original, that all listed authors have contributed and approved it, and that it does not infringe any third-party rights or duplicate work submitted elsewhere.
