Gluten Free Millet – Health Benefits According To TCM
Millet is gluten free and was the first cereal in the history of mankind. In many parts of Africa and Asia millet still serves today as a staple food , while it is largely disappeared from the kitchens of the Western world. Golden Millet , many know the pistons only from bird cages , the most common more related species are Teff and the coix seed (known as Yiyiren in Chinese medicinal herbs teaching) .
Millet harmonizes and supports the center (The support of the digestive organs stomach, spleen and pancreas, the so-called “center” is always at the center of each dietary regulation. In TCM, the spleen is in contrast to Western medicine directly attributable to the digestive function.)
According to the Chinese Medicine grain has a total valuable property of the two functional groups spleen and stomach (together called”the center”) to strengthen and support their Qi .That means grain in comparison to many other foods with similar nutritional value is relatively easy to digest and the body allows a smooth and lasting energy supply.
For this reason, it is usually one of the first and most important concern of a nutritionist according to the TCM to bring its customers to use more high-quality grain. No easy task, as most of what finds its way into a modern kitchen in cereals is miles apart from the ideal of the ancient Chinese .
Particularly refined wheat flour has none of the positive attributes of cereal , but effects that threaten the long-term health . Due to the unnaturally high amount of gluten (whether whole grain or not)the modern wheat represents a heavy burden on the small intestine.This is true not just for people with celiac disease.
In the Chinese medicine stresses the functional circuit spleen by dampness and stagnation. In addition, white flour destabilized by the high glycemic index blood sugar levels , which corresponds according to TCM, a weakening of the spleen by an excessively sweet taste. The result is high levels of insulin and sugar cravings .
Compared to this , millet acts almost like a miracle cure . Gluten free millet actually combines all the advantages of grain , which Chinese medicine talks about.
A good gut feeling
More and more people complain of indigestion gamut: bloating, fullness and pressure feeling of incomplete or unsatisfactory defecation, constipation or loose stools . Over time we get used to but for many are the unpleasant feelings in the stomach and intestines a constant companion.
I want to commend it to all of these people, to try millet, cooked to taste with cooked vegetables , cooked fruit or eggs. Millet makes a literally really good gut feeling . In Chinese dietetics they say millet “harmonizes ” the Qi of the middle and makes sure that everything runs smoothly in the digestion , the stomach qi sinks and spleen qi ascends .
This function of the gluten free millet is very valuable, especially in the increasingly nervous related digestive disorders. For people with a weak digestive system millet should be as often as possible on the table , especially in the evening when the digestibility of food is important.
Millet makes you beautiful
Many women take millet capsules to strengthen skin, hair and nails. this is good ,because millet contains easily absorbable nutrients . Thanks to its high content of silica, iron , fluorine, zinc and B vitamins it is the richest mineral grain at all.
The Chinese know that millet strengthens spleen qi, strengthens the kidneys and nourishes the blood . Interesting for problems with varicose veins , hemorrhoids, a lack of elasticity of blood vessels , susceptibility to disc problems and wrinkled skin .
The consolidation of the kidney is reflected in improved strength of teeth and bones. The blood finally provides a better supply of nutrients for skin , nails and hair. Millet may be swallowed for beauty, but better from the cooking pot and not from capsules .
In the recipe for the anti-wrinkle breakfast three foods are combined that make beautiful. Two of them , cooked apples and berries Goji always have been a beauty elixir in China and millet makes the trio complete .
Millet is particularly beneficial for women during and after menopause. Due to the blood – nourishing, firming the kidneys and cooling effect it is a good food for internal heat , thirst, blood pressure, agitation or insomnia .
How to cook millet ?
Nothing easier than that Millet should be rinsed before cooking with hot water. This improves both the taste and digestibility . Then add millet with two parts water in a pot and boil than reducing the heat to minimum and cover the pot . After about 20 minutes, millet is cooked.Cover and allow continued swelling after cooking for a few minutes.
Instead of the water broth , milk or diluted fruit juice can be used. Cooked millet keeps for 3 days in the refrigerator. If they dry out there , you can still give a little liquid when warming up .
Freshly cooked millet has a bit a metallic taste, but if millet is cooked warmed again or mixed, millet develops wonderful mild flavor. Organic millet tastes better.
Fast millet breakfast with banana and ginger
1 banana
1 cup cooked millet (cooked without salt )
½ teaspoon ginger
a few drops of lemon juice
a few raisins
Mash the banana add warm millet ,ginger and raisins
A Beauty Breakfast
1 apple (organic with skin)
1 handful Goji berries, washed and soaked in water
1 cup cooked millet (cooked without salt )
1 pinch of salt
little coconut oil
Cut the apple into slices and fry gently in a little coconut oil, then pour in 1-2 tbsp of water, simmer a few minutes until it is soft. Add the Goji berries, and let it cook for a moment, then stir in the millet and sweet with raisins or dates and serve.
This breakfast includes three of the most effective anti-wrinkle agent of TCM. A culinary Botox 🙂
More about > millet and TCM and > Ask Dr.Mao
Click here for more healthy food Ideas
Click here for beauty tips with millet
This post was updated and republished on TheMilletDiet.com
I used to eat millet, and just don’t think about it any more (except as bird seed), so thanks for the reminder. I used to cook it it in with rice if I recall correctly.
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Hi Mary ,
good now you remember ,
start to eat it again 🙂
its good for you
thank you for the comment
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I had no idea that millet was this good for you. I wonder if you can mix it with oatmeal. I think I am going to try one of your recipes, thanks!
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Hi Diane ,
it is really very beneficial
try the recipe it tastes good 🙂
Thanks you for the comment
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Ok, I want millet now! I do think we can learn so much from Chinese medicine, the fact that they consider this so highly has persuaded me it is a good thing to get and take.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
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Hi Mandy ,
Millet is not only mentioned in the chinese medicine as very beneficial.
It was one of the main foods in ancient times and has very good nutritions
for us .I will have more info and recipe in my book .
Thank you for the comment and I hope you try it
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Hi Erika, Very interesting post. I have never heard of this before. I will have to look into this further. Thanks for the information. Have a great day. Monna
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Thank you ,Monna
You will get more information about this beneficial seed ,when my book is finished 🙂
Thank you for the comment
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I Erika the part I like is when you talk about the millet is good for women during and after menopause for the cold effect next time somebody talk to me about monaupose I will have something new to teach Thanks for your post….
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Hi Helene ,
it is really good for this and talking about menopause
a very good thing is Misteltoe tea ,which balances the hormones .
Thank you for the comment
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Can I ask if Millet can be used as a substitute for rice for dinner recipes or is it sweet? I have not heard of it very much, but it sounds so good for you, I feel I should try to introduce it to our meals.
I like that it makes one more beautiful too!!
Love this original post Erika,and look forward to your book 🙂
Jacs
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Hi Jacs,
yes it can replace rice ,but to begin with the breakfast is very good .
I am going to write in my book about ,it can be used as detox and to loose weight.
And it makes happy as well 🙂 I will add recipes in the book
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Yum, those recipes sounded wonderful .. and I didn’t know about the connection to chi, which is so important ….
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Thank you Lesly,
more recipes coming ,
I like the breakfast with banana 🙂
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I don’t think I have ever eaten millet. Do you know if it has a low Glycemic Index? I stick to low GI foods because of wanting to control my diabetes by diet.
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Hi Sue ,
Millet is very good for people with diabetes as well ,Here a study for you ,I hope this helps you 🙂
Comparison Study
Millet produced the lowest post-prandial — after a meal — blood sugar levels in a study on the blood sugar and insulin effects of traditional Sudanese meals. Study participants with Type 2 diabetes ate meals of wheat, sorghum, millet and maize on six difference occasions with a 1-week interval. Two-hour postprandial blood sugar levels were lowest when participants ate a millet porridge. The study was conducted by the department of medical sciences, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
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This is a really informative article Erika. There are a few much better options available than eating wheat. I love quinoa & buckwheat but hadn’t considered millet. I’ll buy some organic millet now that I know how good it is for the health, spleen & digestion. Thanks!
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Thank you for the comment ,Carolyn
Yes millet is very healthy and we forgot about ,but it is coming again .
more and more people are getting aware of the benefits.
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Great share about Guletin free millet. All natural food have medicinal qualities and if we take proper food in right way it prevent and cure so many diseases. it gives us beauty from within. it makes our skin naturally beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Sazia,
nice to see you here 🙂
You are right Millet is a very valuable grain and
the main producer of it is India .Good is that it is
going to be cultivated and promoted more ,it is
very good to prevent diabetes and is high protein
and nutritious .
Thank you
Erika
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