|
considered purest kind
of food and widely used in many food preparations and
Ayurvedic formulations. Ghee is considered as a finest fuel
pour into the fire of digestion-Agni. Ghee is excellent food
that builds the aura, makes all the organs soft, builds up the
internal juices of the body-Rasa, increases the Ojas, the
underlying basis of all immunity, improves the intelligence,
refines the intellect and improve the memory. Ghee increase
the digestive fire but does not aggravating Pitta- the
internal elemental of fire functioning in the body. Ghee also
help in detoxification of the body, as it causes secretions
and liquification in the dhatus (the bodily tissues that
dissolve wastes) allowing the functional intelligences of the
body-doshas to carry away toxins-ama. It is specifically used
in Panchakarma due to its detoxification quality. Ghee can
easily be prepared at home and can be stored for longer period
without refrigeration. It is said that the older Ghee, the
better its healing qualities.
Qualities of Ghee
Absorption: Ghee is an indispensable part of the science of ayurvedic herbal formulation. Since ghee is an oil, it can
bond with lipid-soluble nutrients and herbs to penetrate the
lipid-based cell membranes of the body. It is known to
increase the effectiveness of certain herbs by carrying the
active components to the interior of the cells where they
impart the most benefit.
Digestion: According to Ayurveda, ghee is finest fuel
for digestive fire-Agni of the body. It helps to balance
excess stomach acid, and maintains as well as repairs the
mucus lining of the stomach.
Mild Burns: Ghee is also useful to prevent blisters and
scarring caused by burning. It is useful on burns of both fire
and chemicals, should be applied quickly to affected skin for
optimum results.
Mind: Ghee is not only excellent food for body but also
for mind. It is believed to promote all three aspects of
mental functioning, as it improves the intelligence, refines
the intellect and improve the memory.
Ayurvedic Balance: Ghee helps to balances both Vata and
Pitta. Vata controls the movement in mind and body and Pitta
controls heat and metabolism of the body. Thus Ghee helps the
functioning of body by balancing these doshas.
Healing: Ghee is known for the quality of Ropana-healing,
it is highly effective in facilitating recovery from wounds.
It works on both the external and internal wounds. Ayurveda
uses ghee in chronic peptic ulcer or gastritis to heal the
ulcer inside the intestinal tract. It is also recommended for
bedsores occur to the elderly or debilitated. It can also be
applied for broken bones and bruises.
Beauty Enhancer: Ghee also enhance the beauty of the
body by providing strength, nourishment and protection to the
skin. It softens the skin and provides a glowing lustrous
complexion. It is highly effective for all sorts of skin
rashes. It is an excellent body massage oil and widely used in
various Ayurveda massages and treatments.
Ghee is also believed to enhance virility and sexual potency.
Uses of Ghee
Body Massage: Ghee is excellent oil for body massage. It is
used in Ayurveda Abhyanga massage which is a full body
massage. It is applied all over the body, rubbing into head,
chest, limbs, joints and orifices. It bypasses the digestive
system and allows the qualities of Ghee to penetrate directly
into the deeper tissues. Ayurveda believes that 60% of what is
placed on the skin is absorbed into the body. Thus, we
literally “eat” what we put on our skin. In this way the
properties of ghee reaches to the body by external
application. According to the Charak Samhita- ancient Ayurveda
text, regular Abhyanga with ghee helps to delay the aging
process and restore youthfulness.
Panchkarma: Ghee is important ingredient of Panchkarma
therapy. It is used in Purvakarma, the preparatory step for
Panchkarma, where a small amount of Ghee is given first thing
in the morning to the patient to oleate the internal organs
and “dissolve” the ama or toxic wastes accumulated in the
tissues, allowing them to be carried to the digestive tract
for elimination.
Ghee has ultimate penetrating qualities and used as a carrier
or “yogavahi” in Ayurveda. It helps to carry the herbs and
bhasmas deep into the dhatus or tissues where they are needed.
Thus it enhances the utility of herbs and medicines.
Cooking: According to Ayurveda, Ghee is best cooking
oil with its great aroma, flavor and several healing
properties. It can be used for sautéing, stir-frying, deep
frying, spreading, etc. It enhance the food quality and taste
as well. Ghee has one of the highest flash points of all oils
and is very difficult to burn. Ghee is highly useful for Vata
and Pitta people due to its cooling property. Ghee is useful
for everyone, including those who are on low fat diet since
even a lower quantity of ghee can add lot of flavor to the
food than any other oil or fat products.
Ghee also helps to regularize bowel movement and relieve
constipation. Take one or two teaspoons of ghee as the first
thing in the morning followed immediately with hot water, it
will promptly produce a bowel movement. It will also warm the
body quickly. Two spoonfuls of Ghee in warm milk before
bedtime is soothing to the nerves and lubricates the
intestines and facilitates a bowel movement in the morning.
Ghee is excellent for Gandush dharn an Ayurvedic practice that
help to improve the health of the teeth and gums. In this
process mouth is filled with water and one needs to keep that
water in the mouth for a minute without making moving the
water in the mouth. It creates a pressure on all over our oral
cavity, eyes, ears and even sinuses and soon the tears roll
down our eyes and sinuses flowing out from nose. It is useful
for complete oral health.
Ghee can also be used as a bath oil. You can mixed it with
several drops of an essential oil of your choice to have a
relaxing bath and a glowing skin afterwards.
Ghee is also useful for eyes. It is used in Netra Tarpan-an
Ayurvedic treatment for the eyes that relieves tiredness and
improves the eyesight.
Ghee can be used as facial moisturizer as it softens the skin
and can be used for nourishment and glowing texture. |
