AYURVEDIC RED RICE FOR NJAVARAKIZHI
Navara Rice
Njavara / Shashtika Shali - the rare, unpolished red rice, and the rice of the classical Njavarakizhi.
Navara (Njavara / Shashtika Shali) is a rare red rice, kept unpolished so it retains its reddish bran. It is the rice of the classical Njavarakizhi. This page sets out what it is, the Njavarakizhi tradition it belongs to, and the heavy-metal and microbiological results recorded for every batch.
What Navara Rice is
Navara - also written Njavara, and known in Sanskrit as Shashtika Shali, the 'sixty-day rice' - is a rare medicinal red rice, prepared by Art of Vedas. Its grains are of medium size and left unpolished, keeping the reddish bran layer that sets it apart from ordinary white rice.
It is the rice of the classical Njavarakizhi. Grown and processed in India, its quality is reviewed against EU law, and it is prepared and used as advised by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
Navara Rice and Njavarakizhi
Njavarakizhi - also called Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda - is one of the best-known classical practices of the Ayurvedic tradition, and takes its name from Njavara, this rice. The rice is cooked in a herbal decoction with milk, gathered into cloth boluses (kizhi), and worked over the body by the practitioner.
Art of Vedas presents Navara Rice within that classical frame, describing the tradition rather than any outcome, and tests every batch. It is prepared and used as advised by your Ayurvedic practitioner.
Quality and testing
Tested with every batch
Every batch is tested before it is released: heavy metals by a laboratory method called ICP-MS, and microbiological safety. The results below are representative; every batch is retested before release.
Heavy metals
Heavy metals were tested by ICP-MS, each within recognised safety limits. Arsenic in particular is followed closely, as rice can take it up from the soil.
| Metal | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (As, inorganic) | Within the permitted limit | EU rice maximum (Reg (EU) 2023/915) |
| Lead (Pb) | Within the permitted limit | Recognised safety limit |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Within the permitted limit | Recognised safety limit |
| Mercury (Hg) | Within the permitted limit | Recognised safety limit |
Inorganic arsenic in rice has a specific EU maximum under Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915; ICP-MS is a laboratory test for metals in parts per million.
Microbiological safety
Microbiological safety is tested with every batch. Overall counts stay within recognised limits, and the specified organisms were each absent.
| Test | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Aerobic Microbial Count | Within the limit |
| Yeasts and Moulds | Within the limit |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | Absent (not found) |
| Salmonella | Absent (not found) |
| Bacillus cereus | Within the limit |
Every batch is tested for microbiological safety before release.
Further assurances
- Rare red rice, kept unpolished so the reddish bran is retained.
- Njavara (Shashtika Shali) red rice, reviewed against EU law.
- Vegan: rice only, no animal-derived ingredient; naturally gluten-free.
- Tested for heavy metals by ICP-MS (arsenic followed closely) and for microbiological safety, with every batch.
Ingredients
A single ingredient:
Navara Red Rice (Oryza sativa), unpolished.
Navara Rice is a single whole grain of unpolished red rice: vegan, and naturally free from gluten. Prepared and used as advised by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
Product details
- Available in 1 kg.
- Prepared for Njavarakizhi; use as advised by your Ayurvedic practitioner.
- Unpolished red rice, grown and processed in India.
Precautions
- Prepared for Njavarakizhi; use as advised by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Navara Rice: questions on quality and tradition
- Is Navara Rice a red rice?
- Yes. Navara (Njavara / Shashtika Shali) is a rare red rice, left unpolished so it keeps its reddish bran layer. Our Njavara is the rice of the classical Njavarakizhi.
- What is Njavarakizhi?
- Njavarakizhi (Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda) is a classical Ayurvedic practice in which Navara rice is cooked in a herbal decoction with milk, tied into cloth boluses (kizhi), and worked over the body by the practitioner.
- Is Navara Rice tested for heavy metals?
- Yes. Every batch is tested by ICP-MS, with inorganic arsenic followed closely against the EU maximum for rice (Reg (EU) 2023/915), and lead, cadmium and mercury within recognised safety limits.
- Is Navara Rice tested for microbiological safety?
- Yes. Overall counts stay within recognised limits, and Escherichia coli and Salmonella are absent.
- How is Navara Rice used?
- It is prepared for Njavarakizhi and used as advised by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
ART OF VEDAS
Bring Navara Rice into your practice
The rare unpolished red rice, the rice of Njavarakizhi, prepared with care and tested with every batch. See the details and availability.
Shop Navara RiceImporter
Importer (EU): Svedica B.V., Herengracht 449A, 1017BR Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Njavara (Shashtika Shali): an unpolished red rice, grown and processed in India.
Navara Rice by Art of Vedas: the rare unpolished red rice, the rice of Njavarakizhi, reviewed against EU law and tested for heavy metals and microbiological safety with every batch.
