Many of those who are exposed to the Indian culture and food, might have heard about or tasted Ghee. Ghee has been mentioned in our sacred texts and is still predominant in our food.
Chemically, Ghee is the end product of a clarification process beginning with the three main components of butter, namely Water, Milk Fat Solids, and Butter oil.
As the butter boils, the water evaporates, and the nutrients transfer from the milk fat solids to the butter oil. Once the butter oil clears, it is strained to separate it from the milk fat solids. This clarified part of butter is called Ghee.
There are two types of Ghee, depending on the starting material used.
Regular Ghee - is derived from sweet cream butter. This is high in cholesterol.
Cultured or Probiotic Ghee - is derived from the cultured butter prepared by culturing the sweet cream with beneficial bacteria of yoghurt as the first step. The culture infuses the cream or butter with good bacteria, making it easier to digest and thus promotes overall health.
Thus, Ghee is the deeply nourishing core essence of milk. It has all the micronutrients and anti-oxidants of butter, but without butter’s water, milk proteins, and lactose.
Ghee is not only used as a food ingredient, but is considered as sacred in India as the Ganges and The Bhagawad Gita. Ghee has flowed through all aspects of the Indian culture as the river Ganges has flown through the mountains and plains of India.
In Ayurveda, Ghee is considered as a sacred symbol of abundance, nourishment and healing. The milk of cows is considered to possess the essence or sap of all plants, and ghee is the essence of milk. The Vedas call ghee the “first and the most essential of all foods”.
In the great epic of Mahabharata , it is mentioned that from Ghee flows the sustenance of all the worlds.”
Ghee is known as Ghritam in Sanskrit, which comes from the root “Ghr” meaning “to shine”. Vedas associate ghee with light and brilliance.
The Rig Veda (a 3,500+ year-old ancient Sanskrit scripture) says:
This is the secret name of ghee:
“Tongue of the gods”
“Navel of immortality”
“Streams of ghee caress the burning wood”
“Agni, the fire, loves it and is satisfied.”
This indicates that ghee is superb at nourishing the metabolic fires (agni), promotes longevity and is a powerful medium to carry prayer, mantra and intention to feed the Gods (the higher aspects of ourselves) through feeding the fire.
There are so many benefits of this wonderful golden Ghee :
Digestive effects - Ghee stimulates digestion, enzymes and helps breakdown food. (Food will not give any nourishment until it is broken down).
Ghee is known to increase the good qualities of life both in our body and in our environment. It allows body and mind to shine with a refined brilliance.
Ghee improves intelligence, refines the intellect, and improves memory.
Ghee increases the underlying basis of all immunity and the essence of all bodily tissues - called Ojas in Ayurveda.
Ghee is used as a carrier for herbs and other healing substances because of it’s good penetrating qualities.
Ghee balances all the doshas in the body.
Ghee softens and strengthens, protects and nourishes the skin. Ghee increases the overall strength, luster and beauty of the body.
Ghee is considered as one of the best substances for Abhyanga or self- massage. Abhyanga bypasses the digestive system and allows the qualities of ghee to penetrate directly into the deeper tissues.
Ghee improves healing and is very effective in facilitating recovery from wounds. In Ayurveda, ghee is used to heal the ulcers inside the intestinal tract.
Ghee is effective against skin rashes and is also applied on burns for it’s healing properties.
Ghee is a rejuvenative substance, called Rasayana, and is known to contribute to longevity.
In Ayurvedic Panchakarma treatments, ghee is used on the eyes for it’s cooling effects.
The light of a ghee lamp is the most beautiful and brilliant of all lights, and has a positive aura about it.
I hope this article helps you understand the benefits of this wonderful gift of nature. But as with any food item, it is advisable to consult the doctor before starting to consume as some conditions like obesity, high cholesterol and certain allergies can drastically affect it’s benefits.
References - Peter Malakoff
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