Horse gram — the highest-protein common pulse, and traditionally used for kidney stones.
Kulthi dal, or horse gram, is a small hard bean long treated as animal fodder in
some regions and as medicine in others. It has among the highest protein content of any
common pulse and an unusually strong traditional association with kidney stones.
The
traditional use is not baseless — horse gram has been studied for effects on stone
formation — but the evidence is early and nowhere near the standard needed to treat it
as a therapy. It is a good food. It is not a substitute for urology.
Per 100g dry. Horse gram is notably high in iron and calcium compared with other pulses.
Based on the nutrients and fibre this food supplies. These are supporting foods, not treatments.
Soak overnight. Horse gram is one of the hardest pulses and will not
soften otherwise.
Pressure cook 6–8 whistles. It takes longer
than almost anything else here.
The cooking water is traditionally
drunk as a broth, particularly in South Indian and Himalayan practice. If you do
this, be aware you are drinking the water the anti-nutrients leached into — the
traditional practice and the modern advice to discard soaking water genuinely
conflict.
Strong flavour. It needs assertive spicing; it does not
work as a mild everyday dal.
Horse gram's protein content is its clearest advantage — among the highest of
any pulse eaten in ordinary quantities, alongside good iron and calcium.
The kidney
stone association is worth being straight about. Some laboratory and small human studies
suggest horse gram may affect stone formation, but this is a long way from established. If you
have stones, treat kulthi as a reasonable food to include, not as a treatment, and follow
your doctor's advice on fluid and diet.
Kidney stones: do not use horse gram in place of medical
treatment. Evidence for the traditional claim is early.
Gout: horse
gram is relatively high in purines.
Kidney disease: pulses are high in potassium and
phosphorus, and protein often needs limiting. This needs your doctor's numbers, not a general
rule.
IBS: pulses are high-FODMAP. Small, well-soaked, well-cooked
portions are tolerated far better than large ones.
Gout: pulses
contain moderate purines, though plant purines appear to be much less of a problem than those
from meat and seafood. If you flare after dal, trust your own pattern.
This is information, not a prescription. If you are managing a diagnosed condition or taking medication, talk to your doctor before making a large change to your diet.
Nutrition figures on this page come from standard food composition data. These links let you check the numbers and read the underlying research yourself rather than taking our word for it.