Macrotyloma uniflorum is a legume native to tropical southern Asia, known for its distinct taste and texture, widely used legume in many cuisines. It is also known for human consumption for its rich nutrients and reputed medicinal properties. It is commonly grown for horse feed, hence the name “horse gram”. Horse gram grown in parts of India, as well as Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and is introduced to the West Indies. It is consumed whole, sprouted, or ground. It is consumed in many parts of India and is also known as a superfood. Horse gram is also allowed to be eaten on some Hindu fasting days. Medical uses of these legumes have been discussed and is described in the Ayurveda.

अयं कुळित्थः भारते वर्धमानः कश्चन धान्यविशेषः । एषः कुळित्थः सस्यजन्यः आहारपदार्थः । एषः आङ्ग्लभाषायां Horse Gram इति उच्यते । अयं कुळित्थः भारते प्रचीनकालात् आरभ्य अद्यपर्यन्तम् अपि औषधत्वेन अपि उपयुज्यते । आयुर्वेदशास्त्रे अपि अस्य कुळित्थस्य उल्लेखः सर्वत्र दृश्यते एव । ताम्रवर्णः, कलावृत्तः, अनिलापहः, कर्पणा, पीतमुद्गः, अलिस्कन्दः, सुराष्ट्रकः इत्यादीनि नामानि सन्ति कुळित्थस्य । कुळित्थेन श्राणां, सारं, क्वथितं, पौलिं, व्यञ्जनं च निर्मान्ति ।