In the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, food is medicine - and few dishes exemplify this more than kitchari (sometimes spelled kitchadi). A simple yet deeply nourishing blend of rice and mung beans (mung/moong dal), kitchari
is revered as a healing food for all constitutions (doshas). Its gentle spices and balanced ingredients make it easy to digest, while its nutrient density provides the body with the sustenance it needs to restore and rejuvenate.
Kitchari is often recommended during times of stress, illness, or transition, as it soothes the digestive system and calms the mind. By giving the gut a break from heavier or more complex foods, it helps the body redirect its energy toward healing and detoxification. This makes it an ideal choice during seasonal changes, cleanses, or whenever you need grounding and renewal.
What makes kitchari truly special is its versatility.
By adjusting the spices and cooking techniques, it can be tailored to balance each dosha—whether you're feeling ungrounded (Vata), overheated (Pitta), or sluggish (Kapha). Yet, at its core, kitchari remains tri-doshic, meaning it supports harmony for everyone.
Ayurveda sees kitchari as more than just food—it's a quieting, stabilizing ritual. A bowl of warm kitchari is like a hug for your entire system, reminding you to slow down and savor simplicity. Whether you're new to Ayurveda or seeking a time-tested way to nourish yourself from the inside out, kitchari is a wonderful place to start.
Ready to try?
Cook up a batch, and let its grounding magic do the rest! Here is a recipe I often use - but there are many on the web to choose from!
Samantha is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, a Noom Certified Health Coach, and founder of Davidson Yoga Therapy and Health Coaching.
She has held complimentary healthcare positions at The Blanchard Institute, Atrium
Hospital, Levine Cancer Institute, Sanger Heart Clinic, and Davidson College. She has presented for Fortune 500 companies and major Universities, both public and professional audiences, on this thing called yoga therapy and what it can do when it is unpeeled, revealed, and adapted to meet the needs and the abilities of the person doing it.
She leverages her three decades of yoga therapy, and health coaching experience with the following therapeutic models:
Jungian Psychology
Interfaith Perspectives
Spiritual Technologies
Trauma Healing
Polyvagal Somatics
Compassionate Inquiry
Pain Reprocessing Therapy
The Neurosequential Model
Internal Family Systems
All this is to say, there are many doorways to use on the path to healing and self-discovery, and Samantha’s breadth of experience allows for vast creativity on which approach is right for you.
Book your free 30 minute discovery call today!
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