Ghee or clarified butter has been an essential ingredient of our Indian households for ages. According to Ayurveda, Ghee is the first and essential of all foods. Many Vedic texts boast of the usefulness of this golden nectar, it is considered very auspicious in Indian households and is used extensively in yagayas and pujas. My Grandfather used to love his Khichadi with a scoop of Desi Ghee. Our ancestors used to eat food cooked in ghee and lived for 100 years. But nowadays we have become skeptical of usage of this golden nectar and have started using refined oils in cooking and this is the biggest blunder that we have made as consumption of ghee has immense health benefits. According to Ayurveda, it works wonders for people with pitta dosha. Ghee is a powerhouse of nutrients and considered as an Aushadi in Ayurveda with immense healing properties if used healthily.
How is Ghee made?
Ghee or clarified butter is made by simmering the white butter until all the milk solids and sugar curdle and sink to the bottom leaving behind this golden nectar.
Nutritional Value of Ghee:
Most of us believe that fat is not good for our health but let me clear the air here, we need fat to absorb vital vitamins like A, D, E and K, fat works as an insulator and keeps your body warm. The fat you get from food provides your body with essential linolenic and linoleic acid which your body cannot prepare on your own and you need it from the food you consume. Ghee is loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids which are excellent for your brain and heart health. But always remember to maintain the balance as the excess of anything is always harmful so you must include Ghee in your diet in a healthy way.
Now that you know how magical Ghee is let me aware you of some of its other health and beauty benefits:
- Ghee is excellent for improving vision as it contains vitamin A and it also works for treating dry eyes. Netra Basti is an ancient ayurvedic therapy that is performed by an experienced ayurvedic practitioner. In this practice, a ring of dough made with special grains is placed around eyes and it is then filled with medicated ghee. It provides relief from fatigue, eye problems, etc.
- Taking 1 tablespoon of ghee in a glass of milk at bedtime works effectively for relieving constipation. Research conducted by the National Botanical Research Institute found ghee to be one of the best remedies for treating constipation. Ghee works as an excellent lubricant and it helps to flush out all the toxins and waste that gets accumulated in intestines.
- Ghee contains Choline and Omega-3 fatty acids which are extremely important for proper brain functioning. These are essential for the production of neurotransmitters and to increase the cognitive skills of the brain. It also slows down the rate of aging.
- Ghee is also rich in cholesterol which we widely see as a culprit and tend to keep it away from our body but researches have shown that we need cholesterol for the proper functioning of our body like for hormone production, brain function, nerve function. It is the raw material from which our bodies make Vitamin D a key player for proper brain functioning. So ghee provides our body with good cholesterol which we should not shy away from.
- Ayurveda says that Ghee provides us with ‘Ojas’ which means vitality or life force. Ojas keeps us healthy, stress-free, and lively.
- Ghee contains butyric acid which is known to heal internal wounds like wounds in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Vitamin E in ghee works as a powerful antioxidant and has immense hydrating properties which make it useful for topical application as well. Oiling the skin is known as Abhyanga in Ayurveda and ghee is very popularly used in this practice to rejuvenate the dull and dry skin, using ghee on the skin can hydrate even driest of the skin. Ghee has high penetrating power which makes it excellent for treating the skin from deep within and provide it with that bright complexion. You can also get rid of those stubborn dark circles around your eyes. Just massage a few drops of ghee on the affected area and leave it for 20 minutes and then wash it off. Regular application of this remedy will take your dark circles away.
- The high penetrating power of ghee also makes it wonderful for hair health. You can massage your scalp with ghee and you’ll notice your dandruff and irritated scalp saying goodbye to you. The vital nutrient and vitamins in ghee provide your hair with the required nourishment and promote healthy and beautiful hair.
I hope this article would help you to incorporate ghee in your diet in healthy ways. So keep enjoying this golden nectar in your delicacies and beauty regimen.
