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Ghee

Ghee is a Sanskrit word used for clarified butter. It is conventionally prepared by simmering the

unsalted butter until all water is evaporated and it turns into a clear golden liquid. In this process, only

protein or fat remains and all other substances are boiled off which makes the ghee light, pure and

spoil resistant. According to Ayurveda Ghee is best Rasayana, a rejuvenating and longevity-promoting

food. It is considered purest kind of food and widely used in many food preparations and ayurvedic

formulations. Ghee is considered as a finest fuel poured into the fire of digestion-Agni. Ghee is an

excellent food that builds the aura, makes all the organs soft, builds up the internal juices of the body-

Rasa, increases the Ojas, the underlying basis of all immunity, improves the intelligence, refines the

intellect and improves the memory. Ghee increases the digestive fire but does not aggravate Pitta- the

internal element of fire functioning in the body. Ghee also helps in detoxification of the body, as it

causes secretions and liquification in the dhatus (the bodily tissues that dissolve wastes) allowing the

functional intelligences of the body-doshas to carry away toxins-ama. It is specifically used in

Panchakarma due to its detoxification quality. Ghee can easily be prepared at home and can be stored

for longer period without refrigeration. It is said that the older the Ghee, the better its healing qualities.

Qualities of Ghee

Absorption: Ghee is an indispensable part of the science of ayurvedic herbal formulation. Since

ghee is oil, it can bond with lipid-soluble nutrients and herbs to penetrate the lipid-based cell

membranes of the body. It is known to increase the effectiveness of certain herbs by carrying the

active components to the interior of the cells where they impart the most benefit.

Digestion: According to Ayurveda, ghee is the finest fuel for digestive fire-Agni of the body. It

helps to balance excess stomach acid, and maintains as well as repairs the mucus lining of thestomach.

Mild Burns: Ghee is also useful to prevent blisters and scarring caused by burning. It is useful on

burns of both fire and chemicals, should be applied quickly to affected skin for optimum results.

Mind: Ghee is not only excellent food for body but also for mind. It is believed to promote all three

aspects of mental functioning, as it improves the intelligence, refines the intellect and improves the

memory.

Ayurvedic Balance: Ghee helps to balances both Vata and Pitta. Vata controls the movement in

mind and body and Pitta controls heat and metabolism of the body. Thus Ghee helps the functioning of 

body by balancing these doshas.

Healing: Ghee is known for the quality of Ropana- healing, it is highly effective in facilitating

recovery from wounds. It works on both the external and internal wounds. Ayurveda uses ghee in

chronic peptic ulcer or gastritis to heal the ulcer inside the intestinal tract. It is also recommended for

bedsores occur to the elderly or debilitated. It can also be applied for broken bones and bruises.

Beauty Enhancer: Ghee also enhances the beauty of the body by providing strength, nourishment

and protection to the skin. It softens the skin and provides a glowing lustrous complexion. It is highly

effective for all sorts of skin rashes. It is an excellent body massage oil and widely used in various

Ayurveda massages and treatments.

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Ghee is also believed to enhance virility and sexual potency.

Uses of Ghee

Body Massage: Ghee is excellent oil for body massage. It is used in Ayurveda Abhyanga

massage which is a full body massage. It is applied all over the body, rubbing into head, chest, limbs,

 joints and orifices. It bypasses the digestive system and allows the qualities of Ghee to penetrate

directly into the deeper tissues. Ayurveda believes that 60% of what is placed on the skin is absorbed

into the body. Thus, we literally “eat” what we put on our skin. In this way the properties of ghee

reaches to the body by external application. According to the Charak Samhita- ancient Ayurveda text,

regular Abhyanga with ghee helps to delay the aging process and restore youthfulness.

Panchkarma: Ghee is important ingredient of Panchkarma therapy. It is used in Purvakarma, the

preparatory step for Panchkarma, where a small amount of Ghee is given first thing in the morning to

the patient to oleate the internal organs and “dissolve” the ama or toxic wastes accumulated in thetissues, allowing them to be carried to the digestive tract for elimination.

Ghee has ultimate penetrating qualities and used as a carrier or “yogavahi” in Ayurveda. It helps to

carry the herbs and bhasmas deep into the dhatus or tissues where they are needed. Thus it enhances

the utility of herbs and medicines.

Cooking: According to Ayurveda, Ghee is best cooking oil with its great aroma, flavour and

several healing properties. It can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, deep frying, spreading, etc. It

enhances the food quality and taste as well. Ghee has one of the highest flash points of all oils and is

very difficult to burn. Ghee is highly useful for Vata and Pitta people due to its cooling property. Gheeis useful for everyone, including those who are on low fat diet since even a lower quantity of ghee can

add lot of flavor to the food than any other oil or fat products.

Ghee also helps to regularize bowel movement and relieve constipation. Take one or two teaspoons of 

ghee as the first thing in the morning followed immediately with hot water, it will promptly produce a

bowel movement. It will also warm the body quickly. Two spoonfuls of Ghee in warm milk before

bedtime is soothing to the nerves and lubricates the intestines and facilitates a bowel movement in the

morning.

Ghee is excellent for Gandush dharn an Ayurvedic practice that helps to improve the health of the

teeth and gums. In this process mouth is filled with water and one needs to keep that water in themouth for a minute without moving the water in the mouth. It creates a pressure all over our oral

cavity, eyes, ears and even sinuses and soon tears roll down our eyes and sinuses flowing out from

nose. It is useful for complete oral health.

Ghee can also be used as a bath oil. You can mixed it with several drops of an essential oil of your

choice to have a relaxing bath and a glowing skin afterwards.

Ghee is also useful for eyes. It is used in Netra Tarpan- an Ayurvedic treatment for the eyes that

relieves tiredness and improves eyesight.

Ghee can be used as facial moisturizer as it softens the skin and gives nourishment and glowingtexture.