CLAIM: An Instagram reel promotes a rice water drink, mixed with roasted cumin, dried mint, rock salt, lemon juice, and coriander, as an Ayurvedic remedy for “aggravated Pitta dosha.” It claims to help with heavy periods, painful urination, recurrent UTIs, excess body heat, sweaty hands/feet, and perimenopause symptoms, positioning it as a natural, low-cost alternative.

FACT: Studies show rice water has nutritional and cosmetic value but note a lack of clinical research validating its traditional uses. No evidence supports claims that it treats heavy periods, UTIs, or perimenopausal symptoms. Medical experts confirm these symptoms stem from hormonal or underlying conditions unrelated to rice water, and warn that relying on it as a remedy could delay proper diagnosis and treatment. 

An Instagram reel claims that a traditional rice water drink can help manage several women’s health issues that Ayurveda links to “aggravated Pitta dosha,” an Ayurvedic concept associated with the body’s heat, digestion and metabolism. These include heavy periods, a burning sensation while passing urine, frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), excessive body heat, and sweaty hands and feet.

According to the post, rice water is a simple, generations-old home remedy traditionally used to naturally cool excess Pitta in the body. The creator, Kiran Kukreja, who runs the account nuttyovernutritionn, says they used to prepare this drink for their mother-in-law during perimenopause, describing it as an underrated remedy that “every woman should know about.”

The reel shares a recipe in the caption: rice is boiled until 50–60% cooked, then strained to collect the rice water, which is left to cool or served warm. It is mixed with roasted cumin powder, dried mint powder, rock salt, lemon juice, and chopped coriander leaves before serving.

The post, which has over 1.3 lakh likes, over 600 comments and has been reposted more than 2,000 times, encouraged viewers to share it with anyone experiencing symptoms of excess body heat, positioning the drink as a natural, low-cost alternative for managing these conditions.

What are studies saying?

A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2024 looks closely at rice-washed water, the liquid left over after washing or boiling rice. Rice-washed water is often seen as waste and thrown away, but the study explained that it is actually a rich source of minerals and nutrients that have simply gone unnoticed.

According to the study, people have used rice-washed water for many purposes since ancient times, including in Ayurveda, food, cosmetics, and even to help plants grow. It also looks at how this water is processed and its nutritional makeup, along with its role in producing edible fungi.

At the same time, the study is careful to point out that this traditional product has not been studied much by scientists so far. 

“There are scarce researches with rice washed water, this article address the conventional uses of rice washed water, which can be taken up by the research community, which needs more scientific validation,” the study stated.

It concluded that while rice-washed water has several beneficial components, it still lacks scientific validation, and more research is needed to confirm its many traditional uses.

A study published in the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts in 2025 reviewed rice water’s use in skincare and haircare. The study explained that rice water contains vitamins, amino acids, and trace minerals such as zinc and magnesium, which it says can support skin health and healthy hair.

According to the study, “Formulation of 96% rice water was found to be non-cytotoxic or non-irritating to human skin and it showed favorable aesthetic properties which means it can be used for cosmetic application in skincare for antiaging purposes.” It also noted that rice water was well-suited for haircare, describing it as acting like a chemical-free shampoo that helps maintain the scalp’s pH and supports hair growth.

At the same time, the study acknowledged that despite promising results, there is still a need for more rigorous scientific research on rice water’s cosmetic applications.

The study also described rice water as a natural product used for both dietary and cosmetic purposes, adding that it does not produce any type of side effects, and that it is used in the production of many skin care, hair care, and other medicinal products marketed by various brands.

What do the doctors say?

Dr Shruti Kotangale, consultant gynaecologist, obstetrician and infertility expert at AIMS Hospital, Dombivli, said there is “no clinical evidence that rice water reduces heavy menstrual bleeding or treats UTI-related burning urination.” 

She added that while fluids may help prevent recurrent UTIs, rice water has not been shown to provide a specific benefit, cautioning people not to “believe in any rumours” and to follow doctor’s advice instead of home remedies.

Dr Kotangale explained that perimenopausal symptoms like excess body heat and sweating are “mainly caused by fluctuating and declining estrogen levels affecting temperature regulation,” and said rice water is not known to influence these hormonal processes. 

Addressing the Ayurvedic angle, she said Pitta dosha represents qualities linked to heat, metabolism, and digestion, and that describing rice water as something that “balances Pitta” is “an oversimplification,” since it is a traditional concept rather than clinically established evidence.

“Relying only on rice water could delay diagnosis and appropriate treatment of conditions causing recurrent UTIs or heavy menstrual bleeding,” she warned, adding that frequent UTIs may indicate infection or another urinary problem, while heavy bleeding can result from fibroids, hormonal disorders, or other conditions. “Persistent or severe symptoms warrant proper medical evaluation.” 

Also read: FACT CHECK: Does eating white rice on an empty stomach cause a rise in blood sugar levels?