Ghee: Liquid Sunshine & Ayurvedic Medicinal Oil
In this article we discuss the miracle medicine, superfood oil known as ghee (or clarified butter). It is one of the most important staples within both Ayurvedic medicine and cooking.
What is Ghee?
Ghee is said to be liquid sunshine, and is the foremost superfood staple in Ayurveda. It is made from butter that has been cooked down in a certain way that eliminates, water, casein, and lactose (great for those with lactose intolerance to repair gut) and other non-essential components - leaving a golden cream. The cow is the only being on earth that can transform sunshine into something of this nature. According to a Vedic analogy, ghee is hidden in milk, like the Divine Lord in creation
Ghee is superior to all other cooking oils in almost every way - it is delicious and packed with nutrients that support a healthy gut biome, nourishing to all systems, great for digestion, and hydrating to the body (eliminating constipation, arthritis, dry skin, etc). Ghee is like the oil-pulling for your gut, it pulls toxins out. It’s tri-doshic, meaning it’s balancing for all of doshas as long as it’s in moderation.
Types of Ghee
There are three types of ghee.
One is derived from sweet cream, which is the one regularly found in stores - it increases body weight and is higher in cholesterol.
The second is probiotic ghee made from cultured cream which decreases fat, prevents diabetes, creates lean muscle, optimizes brain functioning, is much easier to digest, and decreases bad cholesterol.
Vedic preparation takes it a step further by infusing probiotic ghee with mantra, or sacred music, and cooking in alignment with the moon cycles to enhance the nourishing “soma” energy within - creating a truly healing oil.
At Jivanam Ayurveda we provide only the highest quality Vedic probiotic ghee prepared with love and attention.
Benefits of Ghee
High smoke point – Ghee is a very stable oil with a smoke point of 252 degrees celsius, making it the safest oil and fat to cook with.
Balances all three doshas (good for all body types)
Promotes a healthy gut biome + detoxifies tissues while allowing nutrients to sink deep into the body.
Used in treatment of muscle, nervous system, and reproductive (semen) deficiencies
Reduces stiffness in the body and helps to provide this fine layer of fat called vasa, which is the layer of fat that helps to protect our organs.
Relieves dryness - eyes, joints, skin, constipation, etc.
Increases the sattvic (calm, harmonious) qualities of life both in our self and in our environment.
It allows body and mind, both subtle and gross, to burn with a refined brilliance.
Increases Dhi (intelligence) refines the Buddhi (intellect) and improves the Smrti (memory).
Builds the aura, makes all the organs soft, and increases Rasa (the internal juices of the body).
Ghee as a provider of vitality (ojas)
Emotionally, it’s soothing for the mind. Ghee is transformed into ojas, or our vitality, very quickly. Whereas many other foods take days, ghee can be absorbed and utilized very quickly.
Ojas is our very vital essence that largely provides immunity, glowing skin & eyes, and gives nourishment to the heart.
Description of Ojas: color of gold, red, ghee, taste of honey, smell of fried grain paddy, residing in the heart, nourished by all dhatus, like bees gathering pollen for honey
Summer remedy for high Vata (dryness) and Pitta (heat)
“During summer, the sun, with his rays, draws up excessively the moisture of the nature hence in that season, sweet, cold, liquid and fatty food and drinks are beneficial. The person taking regular cold and sweet mantha (unctuous drink), ghee and milk along with rice does not suffer during summer.”
- Charaka Samhita
Ghee and Digestion
High quality oil is the one kitchen staple you should not go without, for even an all organic meal cooked with inferior oil decreases digestion / absorption. If you have a small fire and pour olive oil on it - the fire goes out.
If you pour ghee on the fire, the fire will roar. The same goes for our digestive fire (agni), where ghee stimulates enzyme production, helping to break down food - thus increasing nourishment + assimilation.
The association of ghee with light and brilliance is found in many passages of the Vedas. In fact, the Sanskrit word for ghee is Ghritam. It comes from the root ghr, which means to shine.
The ingestion of ghee is offering the finest of fuels into the fires of digestion (Agni).
Although ghee kindles or increases the digestive fire (Agni), on which all nutrition depends, it does so without aggravating Pitta, the elemental functioning of fire within the body. In fact, ghee cools the body, essential in much of today’s world, where everything is overheating. Ghee balances all the Agnis of the body.
Ghee is the crown jewel that joins Ayurvedic medicine and Indian cooking.
Shop My Authentic Vedic Cultured Ghee Here
