ghee in ayurveda

8/16/2019 GHEE in Ayurveda

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Ghee’s central role in Ayurvedic treatment

“Ghee is sweet in taste and cooling in energy, rejuvenating, good for theeyes and vision, kindles digestion, bestows luster and beauty, enhances

memory and stamina, increases intellect, promotes longevity, is anaphrodisiac and protects the body from various diseases.” (Bhavaprakasha6.18.1)

No other substance is as widely used to prepare Ayurvedic medicines as

ghee. Ghee is also cited as the best substance for preparing the body for Ayurveda’s internal detoxification (Panchakarma). One reason for this isthat ghee is given as the best remedy for diseases due to aggravated Pitta

and Vata doshas. Ghee alleviates Pitta dosha by its cold, sweet propertiesand Vata by its oiliness. Ghee is hence recommended in autumn when

Pitta’s hot nature can get aggravated after summer. But there is more toghee than its dosha balancing properties. This article explores ghee’s rolein working alongside Ayurvedic herbs, as well as its own inherent healing

abilities not found in other fats.

Ghee is ideal for massage and detoxification

A unique aspect of Ayurveda is its use of large amounts of oily substances

in treatment. Anyone who has had an Ayurvedic massage in India will have

experienced this! External massage with sesame oil or ghee balances Vatadosha by countering its rough, dry properties. As such, oil massage can bevery effective in Vata problems such as osteoarthritis, stress, insomnia andparalysis. However, ghee is more often used internally than for external

massage. In Ayurvedic detoxification (Panchakarma) increasing doses ofghee are given each morning to prepare the body. Patients are also given a

daily oil massage which brings toxins out of fatty tissues, followed bysteam therapy to bring toxins to the surface. After several days, these areeliminated with different techniques such as emesis (vomiting), purgatives,

enemas and nasal therapy to cleanse the body.

Maharishi Ayurveda research has shown that Panchakarma greatly reduces14 important fat soluble toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. These wouldotherwise remain in the body for a long time as the body usually excretes

only water soluble chemicals. The daily doses of ghee have the capacity todissolve the lipid soluble toxins and bring them to the alimentary tract for


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elimination by purification procedures. With an increasingly pollutedinternal and external environment, Ayurveda offers a unique way to

remove these harmful fat soluble chemicals. This powerful means to detoxthe body merits further research.

Ghee is used in most Ayurvedic formulations

“Ghee is the unctuous substance par- excellence because of its power toassimilate effectively the properties of other substances… it increases,

thousand times in potency and develops manifold qualities” (Charaka Sutrasthana 13/13).

Ghee is widely used in medicinal formulations due to its unusual ability toassimilate the properties of herbs it is mixed with, without losing its own

qualities. For example, if ghee is mixed with a drying, heating herb, itdoesn’t sacrifice its own oily, cold nature. Ayurveda considers honey to bethe best in this regard. This is explained by it being made from many

different species of flowers, each having different properties themselves.However, Ayurveda views honey is a living substance that must not be

heated or it ferments acting like a poison in the body (Charaka Sutrasthana27/248). As most Ayurvedic formulations require heating in theirpreparation, ghee is favored.

However, ghee is no mere inert ‘filler’ for formulations. Its own therapeuticpowers work to help cure disease, as well as increasing the effect of otherherbs. For example, ghee’s effect of increasing the digestive fire (agni)allows other herbs to be more easily absorbed. More fundamentally,

impaired digestion is also a cause, symptom and part of the pathogenesisof many chronic degenerative diseases. Ghee is invaluable as it not only

increases digestive capacity, but simultaneously nourishes a weakenedbody. This is especially true when ghee is given with milk. Ghee also bringsmany other healing powers to a medicine.

Ghee rejuvenates the mind

Beyond rejuvenating the body, Ayurveda has specific tonics for the mind.These have ghee as a key ingredient as its sweet taste nourishes the

nerve tissue and brain. Brahmi ghee is prescribed in the fifth month ofpregnancy for mental development of the fetus as both Brahmi and ghee


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aid the development of consciousness and intellect. The newborn is alsofed honey and ghee to stimulate intellect and ojas (the essence of all

tissues) in an important ritual.

Beyond maintaining a healthy mind, ghee is also prescribed for anxiety,depression, dementia, insanity, epilepsy and other disorders ofconsciousness. Ghee older than one year is especially good for healing the

mind. It is more heating and bitter, properties which enable it to removeblockages in the mind’s subtle channels. It is also considered auspicious

and is given in mental disorders with no clear physical cause, along withSanskrit mantras. The Ayurvedic masters of ancient India believed old gheecould regenerate brain cells, and this is an area worthy of further study

with the rise of Alzheimer’s today. Panchagavya ghee is also useful as, like

old ghee, it is sharp in nature. This foul smelling, but powerful, medicine ismade by adding cow dung juice, yoghurt, milk and cow’s urine to ghee.

The effectiveness of such ghee formulations in mental disorders has been

researched and shown to be effective (Chandre, 2004; Girish 2004; Shekha1999). Disappointedly, most studies focus on the herbs which are added to

the ghee but ghee itself is a powerful brain tonic. One study does look atghee’s inherent properties for treating Alzheimer’s via its insertion in thenose (Madhavikutty 2000). Such Nasya therapy is part of Panchakarma,

and is a natural route for delivering rejuvenating substances to the brain.

Beyond treating serious mental disorders ghee can be used to pacify mild

anxiety (due to aggravated Vata). This is done by dipping a clean finger inghee and inserting into each nostril, lubricating the nasal passage with

gentle massage.

Ghee is useful in wound healing

Ghee’s regenerative properties are also useful for healing wounds andpromoting the growth of healthy cells. This wound healing ability has also

been clinically proven (Prasad and Dorle, 2006). Ghee formulations,containing bees wax, honey and herbs are also referenced in regards to

treating all degrees of burns, due to it pacifying excessively deranged Pittadosha. Shatadhouta ghee is described as the best medicine with which todress burns and scalds. This ghee is softer and colder than normal ghee

due to it being washed in water a hundred times. Even more cooling isSahastradhouta ghee, washed 1000 times but it is rather time consuming


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to make and hence more expensive! Ghee’s ability to pacify the burningnature of aggravated Pitta is also beneficial in treating gastro intestinal

inflammation and ulcers. Ghee’s cold, oily qualities help protect the body’smucous membranes and ensure its usefulness in any condition with

burning sensations.

Ghee is highly beneficial for the eyes

Ghee is especially good for the eyes and helps the functioning of the extra

ocular muscles, eyelids and tear. Internal and external use of Mahatriphalaghee has been shown to play a significant role in the treatment of eyedisorders, such as glaucoma. This formulation is made up of ghee, milk

and thirteen herbs, all predominantly sweet in taste and cold in nature andbeneficial to the eyes. Dr Vasant Lad recommends putting one drop of

lukewarm liquid ghee in each eye at bedtime for burning sensations. It notonly soothes, but also strengthens the eyes and can help improve visionalong with Yoga eye exercises.

Summary

Ghee’s widespread prevalence in Ayurvedic medicines and treatments isdue to its beneficial effects on the digestion, absorption and delivery of

Ayurvedic herbs, as well as its own healing properties. When the digestive

capacity (agni) and life-essence (ojas) are weakened, the doshas aredisturbed causing disease. Ghee’s actions on both agni and ojas are henceat the heart of all Ayurvedic chikitsa. Ghee also nourishes and regeneratesthe body and mind, improving the overall quality of treatment. Finally, on

a practical level, ghee is rich in antioxidants and hence does not go rancidfor a long time. In the days before refrigeration, this would have been

invaluable in allowing formulations to be used for up to 16 months.

ghee in ayurveda

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