Rice is a plant. The outer layer of the grain (bran) and the oil made from the bran are used for medicine. Rice bran oil is popular as a “healthy oil” in Japan, Asia, and particularly India. Be careful not to confuse rice bran with other forms of bran such as oat and wheat bran.
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Uses
Rice bran is used for:
- Treating diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Alcoholism
- Obesity
- AIDS
- Preventing stomach and colon cancer
- Preventing heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease
- Strengthening the immune system
- Increasing energy
- Improving athletic performance
- Improving liver function
- Antioxidant.
- Apply rice bran directly to the skin for an allergic skin rash called eczema (ectopic dermatitis).
Benefits
- Rice bran might help lower cholesterol because the oil it contains has substances that might decrease cholesterol absorption and increase cholesterol elimination.
- One of the substances in rice bran might decrease calcium absorption; this might help reduce the formation of certain types of kidney stones.
Other Names
Brown Rice Bran, Cereal Fiber, Dietary Fiber, Fibre Alimentaire, Fibre Céréalière, Huile de Son de Riz, Oryza sativa, Rice Bran Oil, Ricebran Oil, Riz de Son, Salvado de Arroz, Son de Riz, Son de Riz Brun, Son de Riz Stabilisé, Stabilized Rice Bran.
References
Source: WebMD, “Rice Bran”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/