Ayurveda has traditionally considered ghee to be one of the most health-promoting of all foodstuffs. Ghee is said to pacify all three of the doshas, strengthen the body, improve memory and mental functions, and promote longevity. It comes with a host of benefits that are listed in the traditional ayurvedic texts. Ghee has been given the cherished title of rasayana in Ayurveda—that helps overall health, longevity and well-being.
Bhaavaprakaasa, a major Ayurvedic text says: “Ghee is good for the eyes, stimulant for digestion, supports glow and beauty, enhances memory and stamina, promotes longevity, and protects the body from various diseases.”
Ghee is clarified butter-the butter oil, without the lactose and other milk solids. It is traditionally prepared by gently heating butter until it becomes a clear golden liquid. The lactose and other milk solids coagulate and are thoroughly removed. This process also evaporates most of the natural water content, making ghee light, pure and resistant to spoilage.
It has a rich, buttery taste and aroma, and allows you to use half as much oil in cooking as a small amount goes a long way. Ghee imparts the benefits of the best essential fatty acids without the problems of oxidized cholesterol, trans-fatty acids or hydrogenated fats. It is also resistant to free radical damage and is lactose-free. The ability of ghee to support physical and mental renewal has been substantiated by Science— ghee contains butyric acid, a fatty acid that has anti-viral and anti-cancer properties and 2-3% conjugated linoleic acid, a chemical that may have ant carcinogenic properties.
It is generally recognized that some fat is essential for health. A totally fat-free diet can actually accelerate aging of the skin, nerves and brain cells. Without an adequate quantity of the right kind of fat in the diet, cell regeneration can be adversely impacted. Fats are needed for efficient absorption of crucial lipid-soluble vitamins such as A, E, D and K. The stomach lining which protects the stomach from the acids it secretes to help break down foods, needs fat to maintain a healthy coating. Similarly, cholesterol in the body serves functions that are crucial to health, such as building cell membranes, and hormone and bile balance. Cholesterol itself is not harmful but becomes harmful when it is partly broken down or oxidized by unstable chemicals called free radicals that lead to clogged arteries and heart problems. Ghee has no oxidized cholesterol or trans-fatty acids, which are associated with heart disease and is very stable at higher cooking temperatures. Because it is stable and does not become rancid, it can be stored for a long period.
MEDICINAL USES
• Since ghee is oil, it can bond with lipid-soluble nutrients and herbs to penetrate the lipid-based cell walls of the body. It is stated to increase the potency of certain herbs by carrying the active components to the interior of the cells where they impart the most benefit.
• Ghee does not spoil easily, and actually preserves the original freshness and potency of herbs and foods. It does not need refrigeration.
• The Ayurvedic texts say that ghee helps balance excess stomach acid, and helps maintain/repair the mucus lining of the stomach.
• Ghee is said to promote all three aspects of mental functioning—learning, memorizing, and recalling.
• Charaka Samhita, the well-known treatise of Ayurveda says that the ghee is very effective ointment in healing the chronic ulcers. It actually gives the term Mahaaghrit for 111 years old ghee.
• Ghee stimulates the digestive fire if taken with a meal. One teaspoonful per meal is considered appropriate; too much of ghee will douse the digestive fire (2 tablespoonfuls of ghee per day is considered the maximum; too much ghee increases kapha and can clog the system).
• Ghee (1 tsp) along with the juice of onion (1 tsp) and boiled egg taken every morning acts as a nervine tonic.
• A tsp of ghee with a cup of milk acts as a laxative tonic for growing children.
• Like butter, it can also be massaged over the body and exposed to the early morning sun.
• Few drops of ghee put in the stuffed nose is a very good remedy for sinusitis and cold.