Ghee, also known as clarified butter, is the most used substance in the preparation of ayurvedic medication and it is considered best as the preparation for Panchakarma, the purification of the body. Ghee balance Vata dosha because of its oily properties, while it also pacifies Pitta being cold and sweet. Ghee boosts the effects of herbs and natural medication, making the body stronger in case of weakness. It can be used in multiple ways, but its most common use is in the kitchen; dishes that are prepared with ghee have a very high level of nutrition supporting all doshas.
The benefits of ghee
Ghee is great for massages and detox
Ayurveda is very well-known for its use of oily substances in its treatments. If you have every received an ayurvedic massage (abhyanga), you know what I am talking about. The massage of the external part of the body with ghee or warm sesame oil balance Vata dosha, reducing its dry and rough properties. This type of massage is effective in the treatment of diseases like arthritis, stress, anxiety, insomnia and even paralysis. But as you will see, ghee is used much more on the internal level of the body.
During the Panchakarma program, patients ingest ghee every morning in order to prepare the body for the treatment. At the same time, patients receive massages with warm oil to remove the toxins from the tissues, to then continue with steam therapy so all these chemicals raise to the surface. After a couple of days -depending on the disease and the state of health of the patient- the toxins are ready to be released through enemas, purging and nasya (treatment of the nose) to cleanse the body completely. This is when we can say we have a diagnosis without ama (toxins), hence it is the moment to start treating and healing the patient. By ingesting ghee the body is given the ability to transport all chemical substances from the cells and tissues to the gastrointestinal tract to be eliminated. This is very important, as we live in a world when everything is contaminated, from our food to our water and even the air we breathe.
Ghee tones the brain and the mind
I have suffered from anxiety and I can assure you your state of mind will highly improve by the combination of ghee with Brahmi (bacopa, used in India to increase alertness in children, students and elderly people).Ghee is prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, dementia, epilepsy and other mental disorders. When ghee is inserted in the nose, it travels directly to the brain. Ghee becomes an even more powerful medicine when combining it with cow dung juice, yoghurt, milk and cow urine (yes, I am serious!); this is called Panchagavya ghee.
Ghee helps to heal wounds
Yep, just like honey and bee wax, ghee helps to close wounds.
Ghee improves vision
If you add a drop of warm ghee in every eye just before going to bed, you can improve your vision over time. Beside that, it is used quite a lot in the treatment of glaucoma.
Now, how do I make ghee at home?
Although you can buy ghee in most herbal stores, it tends to be quite expensive. This is why I suggest you learn to make it at home. You can find the instruction right below.
You need…
- 500g of unsalted and preferably organic grass butter
- a small pot
- a sieve, cheese cloth or coffee filter
- a spoon
- a glass pot with a lid
Instructions:
- Cut the butter in big chunks and put them in the pot.
- Start heating the pot on medium fire for the butter to become liquid; never put it on maximum, you don’t want to burn the butter!
- Stir the butter without touching the bottom of the pot. You will start to see white foam rising to the surface. Take the pot of the stove and remove this foam as much as possible because this is part of the milk solids. Be patient, this might take 10-15 minutes or more, depending on the type of butter you use.
- Put the pot back on the stove with medium heat. Now the butter starts to become more and more transparent, this is the ghee. When you can see to the bottom of the pot where there are heavy milk solids with a white and brownish color, you take the pot off the stove.
- Poor the butter in the pot, filtering it with your sieve, cheese cloth of coffee filter.
- Close the lid and let the ghee stand so it cools down.
- Keep your ghee in a kitchen cupboard, never in the fridge, or it will convert into saturated fat. You can keep ghee for about 6 months: always remember to take a clean and dry spoon when you use it and close the lid tightly after each use.
Well, there you go, you have now got your jewel at a lower price than gold. Cook with it, give yourself a massage and heal your body and mind with your ghee. I hope you enjoy it and that you apply it to your daily life however it best suits you!
