Ghrita

Ghee -The Nectar for good Health

Most of us keep ghee at arm’s length and look at it with a jaundiced eye, because ghee is mainly saturated fat. We relate saturated fats with the thickening of arteries – the obvious result of which is heart attacks. However, according to Ayurveda some saturated fats are healthy, and fat from ghee actually builds and strengthens cell walls and improves absorption.

Today let us understand about Ghee, the healthy fat which with optimum and regular use prevents you from many ailments. For those who follow an Ayurvedic lifestyle, medicated ghee proves to be an important source for healthy oils. Medicated ghee- ghee with herbs provide health benefits when used both topically and orally.

What is Ghee?

Ghee is clarified butter. Butter is heated at a low temperature till the water content evaporates and the lactose becomes a solid mass. Ghee keeps well even without refrigeration. It has a heavenly aroma. When cooking with ghee we can get away with using half the amount that we would use of any other oil. It has a very high smoking point – 485 degrees – so logically it is very good for frying and cooking.

Ghee and Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a proponent of ghee for a variety of reasons:

• It acts like a preservative; herbs mixed with ghee have a longer shelf life.
• It bonds well with lipid soluble nutrients, making absorption by cell walls efficient.

• Ghee forms a lining on the stomach wall; so acidity is reduced to a great extent.

• Applying ghee to a scald or a burn prevents the formation of blisters (the ghee should be cool and not the melted variety).
• It balances the physical body and the mental faculties like memory and learning.
• It increases the digestive fire thereby helping you to digest your food properly.
• It balances all the doshas viz,. Vaata, Pitta and Kapha.

Health Uses

To protect the nerves and receive health benefits associated with medicated ghee, take two teaspoons orally daily to meet your lipid requirement of your body. Take medicated ghee with warm milk and not in tea form.
In addition, medicated ghee can also be used topically as a base for massage oil to calm sensitive skin. Mix it with honey for application to wounds, inflammation and blisters. Ghee can also be used in eye washes and nasal rinses. Medicated ghee is used in Ayurveda for Special therapeutics of the eye Known as Akshi Tarpana and as nasal instillation- Nasya.

Merits of Medicated Ghee
A spastic and lean man when made to undergo snehana (through ghee) shows a drastic change making him mentally balanced and stout. Ghee is best suited for improving intelligence, curing insanity, increasing sexual power, good eyesight, and good voice, those suffering from injury to chest, emaciation, visarpa, tuberculosis and fever. It is best among fatty materials. It is a good coolant thus it possesses one thousand good qualities and does thousand actions when used with proper processing.

Medicated Ghee
Persons who are not affectionate towards ghee may some time have to take treatment along with ghee. In that condition ghee processed along with suitable medicines might be useful. Also in certain conditions processed ghee is only prescribed. These medicated ghees have specific actions. 

For Example:
1. When there is fever in whole body, guduchi ghrita, Triphala Ghrita, Vaasa Ghrita etc. are used which give good results.
2. Processed ghee such as Panchakola Ghrita, Nagara Ghrita, Chitraka Ghrita are used in the treatment of udara roga (abdominal disorders), vatavishtambha, gulma and piles.

3. Ghee processed with bitter herbs like -Katunimba, Kutaki, Daruharidra, Chandana, Katuindravaruni, Licorice etc. is called 'Mahatiktaka ghrita' and it is an excellent remedy for skin diseases, Hyperacidity etc.

Shata Dhouta Ghrita (100 times washed ghrita) :
Traditional Ayurvedic Skin Cream - It's completely natural and chemical free. Very useful for achieving radiant and glowing skin.
Shatadhouta Ghrita is prepared from organic ghee (made from cow milk) by washing it repeatedly 100 times using specific method prescribed in Ayurveda. This process transforms the ghee into a soft ,cooling, nourishing, silky cream.
It is an excellent Astringent, Moisturizer, Anti-wrinkle & Cleansing cream. Can be used as a daily moisturizer on the face (or whole body) or for facial massage. Also, has calming effect on reddish or burned skin, and on eczema and rosacea. 

Making Ghee

To make ghee, simply place one to two pounds of butter in a saucepan over low heat. Melt the butter until the curds separate and sink to the bottom. Discard curds and store the remaining oil in a jar. As long as it doesn't get near water, it doesn't need to be refrigerated.

To create medicated ghee, add fennel, dill, cumin, coriander, ajwain seeds or turmeric to the ghee.

Ghee is called old if it is stored for more than 6 months, newly prepared (fresh) ghee should not be used. Old ghee has various uses in diseased such as tension, disorders of head, ear, eye and uterus. It has been recently scientifically proved that it is very useful in treating wounds caused due to diabetes, fainting, and ulcers. People believe that intake of ghee causes increase of cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, jaundice which is totally unscientific.

Does ghee increase the cholesterol level?

Cholesterol helps cells to regenerate and maintains hormonal balance. This is damaged by free radicals, which in turn results in clogged arteries. Ghee actually maintains the ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) levels.

Interestingly ghee works as an aphrodisiac and promotes longevity. Some fats are needed in the body to provide the essential fatty acids (EFAs). With ghee we have added benefits like a glowing complexion, increased stamina and intelligence.

Demerits or Contraindications of Ghee
Living life according to desha (habitat), kala (time) and along with morality is good life. And the science which shows light in this path is Ayurveda. This being nectar to life if not followed strictly will turn in to poison. Similarly ghee is also contraindicated for some individuals at certain times. Those being over obese and having kapha, medas in excess and those who do not do exercise should not take ghee in excess or regularly.

Those people suffering from oozing from mouth and anus, who have take alcoholic drink, whose doshas are accumulated in the body and those having tonsillitis should not consume ghee in excess. After having taken ghee one should not drink hot water immediately. These are some points to be kept in mind.

A wholesome Indian diet complete with ghee and sweets might make today’s health freaks shudder, but the near absence of modern day ailments among the older generation is testimony to its benefits. Include foods like Ghee, Buttermilk, turmeric, bran, honey and almonds in your diet and reap its benefits.