Ghee is an ingredient that is hard to miss if you are from an Indian household. It is part of our culture to use ghee in our recipes. Some households prepare it at home traditionally with leftover malai. You have probably heard your mothers and grandmothers stressing the superiority of desi ghee over contemporary oils. These claims do not come out of thin air. It might come as a surprise to you that ghee is medicinally prescribed by Ayurveda to treat more conditions than you could imagine!

In recent years, modern medicine has researched ghee and found it to be beneficial in many health areas. Therefore, it might now be time for you to utilize that jar of ghee in your kitchen to its best potentials. We’re here to tell you how.

What is Ghee?

Ghee is a form of clarified butter used mainly in Indian and middle-eastern cultures. It is made by heating butter (from cow’s milk or yogurt) to a certain temperature until the milk solids of butter and fat get separated. The caramelized milk solids are then filtered out of the mixture. What remains is a liquidized form of fat called “Ghee”. It has a distinctive smell when heated, which Ghee lovers adore. It is heated at a controlled temperature, preserving many nutrients. Ghee is largely used as cooking oil and is considered to be the healthier, lactose-free alternative to butter.

Ghee has numerous uses in addition to cooking. It is traditionally used to light lanterns and lamps in Hindu households. In Vedic scriptures, Ghee is called “the food of the Gods.” Ayurveda uses ghee in multiple therapeutic procedures, body massage, and as an ingredient in ointments. Apart from Ancient Vedas and Ayurveda, modern science has agreed upon the health benefits of Ghee. Let us discuss why.

Ghee – the Healthiest Fat

Some experts call Ghee “the best source of fat” which has 1000 potential benefits. It is undeniable that fat should be consumed in limited quantities to control cholesterol and obesity. However, there is a certain amount of fat prescribed to maintain a healthy weight. Ghee has been found to have 50 percent saturated fat, with some monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat content. While saturated fats are the less healthy alternative for fats, their moderate consumption is required to maintain healthy cholesterol. Research has proven that Ghee consumers showed fewer contents of unhealthy cholesterol in the bloodstream than people who used mustard oil.

The unique composition of Ghee is what gives it the privilege of being the healthiest fat. Ghee is rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and Vitamin A. The fatty acids in ghee help absorb fat-soluble nutrients. It is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. These properties are the reason it is used to treat fire and water imbalances in Ayurveda.

Health Benefits of Ghee 

Ayurvedic science has used Ghee for centuries to treat mainly Pitta and Vata doshas. It is said to have numerous health benefits because of its high Omega-3 quantities and Vitamin constitution. Here are some of the health benefits that Ghee provides the human body in good detail:

Improves Digestion

Ghee is a natural laxative because it contains Butyric acid, a substance essential for enabling good colon movement. Butyric acid keeps your gut healthy, assimilates nutrients ingested with food, adjusts sugar and cholesterol levels in the blood, and gives colon cells the required energy to pass healthy faces.

Ayurveda prescribes Ghee as a carrier lubricant for the digestive tract, easing the entire process. Moreover, ghee produces several gastric enzymes in the body that help break complex food into simpler compounds.

Helps Absorb Nutrients 

Ghee is fat, and when it enters the body, it helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, D, K, and E. “Fat-soluble” means exactly what it sounds like. These vitamins are mixed into fat in our body and travel along to get absorbed all around. This makes sure that the body receives the goodness of these vitamins. It is said that it is good to have it on an empty stomach in Ayurveda because it enables our body to absorb herb nutrients optimally.

May Combat Obesity and Heart Diseases 

You might be pleasantly surprised to know that an optimal amount of ghee not just fights your heart diseases but also helps you lose weight. Yes, if you consume too much fat it can lead to weight gain. However, if consumed in controlled quantities, the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids present in ghee become a great source of good cholesterol. This helps in the maintenance of a good cardiovascular system.

Ghee further has a lot of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) in its composition, which has shown to be effective in combating obesity. CLA studies have found that it can reduce food intake, inhibit fat production, burn excess fat, and stimulate fat breakdown.

Improves Immunity 

Ghee is rich in multiple nutrients and healthy acids. This helps the absorption of nutrients, improves digestion, and cleanses the body of toxins. It is additionally high on anti-oxidants like Vitamin E. These antioxidants help fight free radicals, which are compounds that attack healthy cells in the body. Thus, the harm from free radicals is prevented and you thereby have an improved immunity system. This function of ghee is what leads to the claim that it might prevent life-threatening diseases like cancer.

Boon for Lactose Intolerance

Ghee is a blessing in disguise for lactose-intolerant people. Since most of the milk solids are filtered out upon the preparation of ghee, it does not have a high quantity of lactose. This makes ghee an excellent and better alternative to butter. Moreover, the nutrients in Ghee remain despite the burned-off milk solids, making it much healthier than butter for people who aren’t affected by lactose, too.

Skin & Hair Benefits 

For centuries, Ayurveda has used ghee as a base for healing ointments for skin problems. Because of its oily texture, ghee is a natural emollient. The amazing nutrients present in its composition do not disappoint the skin and hair. Even consuming ghee is said to be good for radiant skin and shiny hair. Let us take a detailed look at Ghee’s benefits for the skin and hair.

Anti-Inflammatory 

This nutritious milk fat has many anti-inflammatory properties. It is frequently used in Ayurvedic ointments for the skin to treat swelling, rashes, damaged skin, flaky skin, and other Pitta imbalances in the body. The fatty acids available in ghee’s composition give it this characteristic. It is soothing to the skin and encourages its regeneration.

Natural Moisturiser

Ghee’s oil-like texture makes it an excellent natural moisturizer. The rich nutritious composition of ghee further helps it not just moisturize the skin but also nourish it with skin regenerating elements. The fatty acids in ghee deeply penetrate the skin layer, enabling long-lasting hydration. It carries any herbs you mix with it deep into skin layers to provide optimal nourishment. This makes way for healthy, youthful, and radiant skin.

Good for Eyes

Ghee is rich in Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that has several benefits. Doctors prescribe vitamin E supplements for better skin and vision. When applied to the skin, Vitamin E fights free radicals and enables tightening of the skin. This is why ghee makes an excellent under-eye oil. Not only will it get rid of dark circles, but it will also tighten the skin around your eyes to prevent wrinkles.  Say goodbye to your eye problems with ghee.

Nourishing Remedy for Chapped Lips 

Lips are one of the parts of the body that do not have sebaceous and sweat glands. This calls for the extra care on lips because they’re vulnerable to chapping, cracking, getting flaky, and bleeding when neglected too much. Dry lips reflect on poor hygiene socially. Ghee can be a great natural solution to all chapped lips problems. It makes up for the lack of hydration on the lips, giving you lightened, bright, beautiful red lips.

Improves Scalp Health

Ghee is abundant in vitamin E, which is used to moisturize the skin and scalp. As a result, vitamin E is found in a variety of anti-aging skin care and hair treatments. Because ghee has an oil-like quality, it seals moisture into your scalp. It can make your scalp feel smoother and less itchy, which can lead to fewer flakes, less oil, less dandruff, and shinier hair. The anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ghee help it fight scalp acne, infections and soothes irritation. It can work as a good home remedy for a healthier scalp.

Softer and Thicker Hair 

Ghee is a natural conditioner and hydrator, which undoes the drying damage done to hair with constant heat exposure, straightening, pollution, etc. It penetrates hair follicles when applied directly and nourishes them from the inside. This leads to smooth and silky hair. The composition of ghee further contains numerous vitamins and fatty acids. These, when applied to the scalp, provide hair follicles with abundant nutrients making them thrive and shine. Applying ghee regularly to your hair can therefore lead to softer, thicker-looking hair.

Easy Home remedies Using Ghee

Ghee, as mentioned before, has 1000 potential benefits. It is the magic of how easy it is available in our homes that perhaps makes it all even better.

We said at the beginning of this blog that we will help you utilize that jar of ghee sitting in your kitchen to its optimum. We keep our word in this section and recommend some home remedies with ghee for better digestion, skin, and hair.

Drinking Ghee on Empty Stomach

It is an ancient practice to drink ghee along with water early in the morning. All you have to do is warm a cup of water to lukewarm, and add just a teaspoon of ghee into it. Ayurveda believes ghee to be an “Amrita”, which translates to “the nectar of life.” According to Ayurveda, the regular practice of drinking ghee in the morning is said to result in:

• Increased “digestive fire” in your gut, improving absorption and assimilation.
• Lubricated body from the inside, resulting in improved joint movement, radiant skin, and better transportation of nutrients
• A natural remedy to constipation
• Healthier brain and sharper memory

Besan and Ghee Face Mask 

Ghee is suitable for all skin types but in particular to dry skin. People with oily skin can use it too, but they would have to watch the quantity and use it in moderation. Besan sort of works similar to a clay mask, absorbing dirt particles in itself and leaving you with clear pores and smooth skin. Combining it with ghee makes works excellently in clearing skin without drying it too much. All you need is 2 tablespoons of besan, one teaspoon of turmeric, and enough ghee to make a thick paste. Apply it to the face and neck. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes use lukewarm water to wash it off.

Home-Made Lip Balm with Ghee 

Ghee is an excellent handsy remedy for chapped dry lips. Make your lip balm at home by using ingredients available in your kitchen: some ghee, some coconut oil, and some honey. All you have to do is heat a few tablespoons of ghee so it melts, and then mix coconut oil and honey into it. Put this mixture in a small container and let it cool down and solidify. Upon solidifying, your homemade ghee lip balm will be ready! This all-natural lip balm can be used as an overnight lip care routine or applied whenever you feel your lips drying.

Parting Note

We hope you are as mesmerized by the goodness of ghee as we are. Our grandparents are right about its benefits and uses, and medicinal science has agreed upon it. It is time for us all to replace heavy cooking oils with Ghee and absorb its goodness all around. Welcome to the Ghee-lovers club!