Ghee the Healthy
Cooking Media
Milk and ghee ‘take care of the nervous system and prepare it to withstand the heightened activity when it takes place’ (Desai, 1990).
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hee is an important, nutritious and invigorating cooking media for many reasons. For times immemorial Ghee has been used as cooking media and important diet in India.
Ghee is naturally and organically hydrogenated cooking media. Unlike other fats and oils on high temperature its carbon bonding does not break causing the cooking media to harmful. Ghee along with coconut oil is high quality cooking media both scientifically and according to scriptures.
From an Ayurveydic perspective, ghee is viewed as more potent than milk due to it being transformed by fire. Ghee is the ultimate extraction from milk. Ghee can be obtained from milk. However the milk cannot be obtained from ghee. Ghee is the subtlest part of milk – the soul. And when the soul is obtained then nothing is relevant. Milk contains both essential and non-essential elements. It is also much more stable, and can be kept for long periods without spoiling up to 3 months, unrefrigerated for cooking purposes. Ghee is sweet in taste, cold in nature and sweet in its after-taste, as is oily, soft, and heavy.
Due to varying predominance of the 5 Ayurveydic elements in different types of milk, ghee from different species have different properties. For example, Ghee made from Elephant and Buffalo milk is the heaviest, with that from goat and camel milk being driest! Ayurveda recommends ghee from cow’s milk as the best for general food and medicinal purposes.
Ghee – a brief history:
The Vedas, Ayurveydic Samhitas and Yoga texts contain frequent references to ghee in many forms for maintaining health, promoting healing and ceremonial uses. One who had ample stocks of ghee was said to possess liquid gold, and Krishna was said to be very fond of ghee as a young child, to fuel his intellectual powers and spiritual development. The Sage Bhavaprakasha describes two specific processes in that ghee can be prepared from milk ‘stale by one day’ as well as ‘butter from milk’. The oldest written record the Rig Veda by which time milk had already become an important food, with cows being considered as sacred. It is likely humans have been making ghee since milk became part of the diet with ghee being made in many countries where milk is a staple part of the diet.
Ghee and ancient Yogic texts:
‘Brahman is the oblation; Brahman is the ghee; by Brahman is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman.’ (Bhagvad Gita: 4/24)
Ghee’s importance is reflected in the ancient Vedas (the oldest scriptures known). Ghee is used in the yogic diet, cleansing practices, and rituals such as prayers, mantras, and offerings. To fully appreciate Ghee’s importance the role of food in general must be outlined.
In Yogic philosophy, food is recognized as the great entity of life as it is responsible for the growth of the body. It is hence called Brahman (God), and rice mixed with ghee and ‘soma’ juice is described as the diet of God. Food is hence considered as sacred itself with most of the ancient Upanishad texts beginning with the diet of India’s ancient civilized society.
Beyond food being equal to God, the Vedas state the cow is the most sacred animal. The cow represents the giving nature of life in that they ‘yield butter and milk inexhaustible for thee set on the highest summit.’ (Rig Veda, 9/ 2.7)
The Yogi views that if you honor the ever giving cow, you also honor all creatures. As a result, cow worship is seen as of the highest form of worship in Yoga, and indeed other cultures. From a more practical point of view, cows were and are still vital for gaining adequate nutrition. Milk is a unique food, containing the best the mother can offer, even at the expense of her own health. The importance of cows in traditional Indian culture cannot be over emphasized.
“Ghee is the essence of milk. From this essence we cannot obtain anything else. This essence is like the most confidential verse of all in the Bhagavad-Gita. But you must remember and consider that to turn milk into ghee is no ordinary endeavor and also to acquire the understanding and realization necessary to comprehend the essence of all 700 verses of the illustrious Bhagavad-Gita is also no ordinary endeavor”
Ghee is perceived as the essence of milk, with the cow’s first milk for the calf being comparable to the general teachings from Lord Krishna in the Gita. The remaining milk, cream and butter are analogous to the next three levels of teaching, each more subtle than the last. Ghee represents the most subtle teachings of all.
Interestingly, Buddha also uses this analogy: ‘From a cow comes milk; from milk, yoghurt; from yoghurt, butter; from butter, ghee; from ghee, the skimming of ghee, and that is reckoned the best; even so, monks, among these four individuals the person who is engaged in promoting his own good and also the good of another is the foremost, the chief, the principal, the best and the supreme.’
(Chavalata Sutta/ Anguttara Nikaya IV.95)
Use of Ghee in Yogic practices:
In light of nothing being considered more sacred than the cow and ghee being its essence, it is clear why ghee plays such a central role in Yogic practices. For example, during Diwali, ghee lamps are used to honor the gods. Many ceremonies involve pouring ghee, along with other offerings, into a fire which transforms them into higher vibrations. Yogis are advised to gaze at a ghee-lamp as astral entities can give Darshan (vision) through its flames. Just as cows nourish humans, ghee is believed to nourish inhabitants of more celestial realms. Without ghee, it is not possible to satisfy Lord Krishna and ‘it is solely and exclusively from the ghee of cows that the sacred rituals prescribed and authorized in the Vedas are empowered and able to be performed.’ (Jagannath Das).
In these examples, beyond actually allowing lamps to burn or increasing the intensity of the fire, ghee symbolizes the burning away of illness, ignorance and mental afflictions. Through such purification, the Yogi can see truth that everything is made up of God:
‘Brahman is the oblation; Brahman is the ghee; by Brahman is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman.” (The Bhagvad Gita - 4/24)
Just as ghee exists in milk but cannot be perceived, Brahman is present everywhere.
Ghee is an ideal food for the yogi.
‘He who begins the practice of yoga without controlling the diet suffers from many diseases and does not make progress in yoga’. (Gheranda Samhita 5/16)
It should not come as a surprise that ghee is very important for the yoga practitioner. Ghee is seen as the ideal sattvic (pure) food that purifies the mind, awakens knowledge and develops intuition. Ancient Yogis used ghee to helps move towards Yoga’s aim of stilling the mind, via the promotion of both physical and mental purification. Even the modern researches have confirmed the importance of Ghee. Ghee is naturally hydrogenated. The carbon bonds do not break in the process of heat as happens in case of most other fats. Ghee is one of the purest forms of fat naturally hydrogenated. Such fat nourishes the brain cells and the cardio-vascular health.
Ancient texts give dietary guidelines for the Yogi, with ghee coming first in lists of ‘do’s’. It is advised ‘sweet and nourishing food should be mixed with ghee and milk, nourishing all dhatus [tissues] and be pleasing and suitable.’
(Hatha Yoga Pradipika, C1/62-63)
Ghee is contrasted with prohibited foods which are too bitter, sour, pungent, salty, dry, and burning.
Foods such as garlic, chillies and onions are seen as too irritating and stimulating, interfering with the subtle effects of Yoga. Yogis who have been practicing for some time become especially sensitive to such foods.
In contrast, milk and ghee ‘take care of the nervous system and prepare it to withstand the heightened activity when it takes place’ (Desai, 1990).
Even the preparation of ghee is considered helpful in inducing a pure mind as by maintaining a clean appearance and calm mind during its preparation it becomes ‘one of the most healing foods Sadhana when performed with grace.’ (Tiwari, 1995: p182)
Ghee’s ability to increase the physical element of fire is also used by Yogis on breaking a fast. For example, ghee with a light soup is very helpful in rekindling the digestive fire (agni) (Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 15/ 206).
Ghee and spiritual development:
‘The subtle part of churned curds rises up and becomes butter. The subtle part of food when eaten rises up and becomes mind’. (Chandogya Upanishad 6/6/1).
Both milk and ghee are of such importance to the yogi that Swami Sivananda goes so far to discuss the problem of sadhus (holy men) not being able to afford them in his book ‘Yoga in Daily Life’.
To explain this importance the special relationship between food and the mind must be appreciated.
Just as butter is made from the subtle part of milk ‘food when eaten becomes threefold, its gross form is shit, its middle flesh, its subtlest mind’ (Chandogyopanishad 6/5/1).
Both Yoga and Ayurveda believe that the mind and body can affect each other so it is impossible to look at ghee’s effects on the body and mind in separation. Beyond basic nutritional needs, food also forms the mind. Yoga and Ayurveda emphasize a pure vegetarian diet to encourage the development of spiritual awareness. Medically too vegetarian diet is recommended because human intestine are not made suitable to consume non-vegetarian diets.
However, Yoga goes beyond Ayurveda in considerations of spiritual development. Take the analogy of the body as a chariot, the soul as the owner of the chariot, the intellect as the driver, the mind as the reins of the horses, the five senses as five horses and, finally, the world as the arena for the chariot (Katha Upanishad, 3/ 4-10).
Ayurveda’s focus is on using the reins wisely so the chariot stays on the track, whereas Yoga’s aim is to take the owner to the destination. It is not possible to experience inner joy, a steady mind and sense control with an impure mind.
Ghee’s ability to purify the mind is also known in Ayurveda, where tonics for the mind contain ghee. Indeed, the Ayurveydic sage Sushruta describes divine remedies (divya rasayana) which lead to total mental transformation and supernormal powers usually only achieved by advanced yogis (Bhavamisra: Bhavaprakasha, Chi 8: 1-6).
Unfortunately, such formulations are no longer known so we must continue with our yoga! However, ghee taken daily in the diet will help practicing Yogis in strengthening the mind and purifying intellect (buddhi).
The aim of yoga is to reach ‘the state when the buddhi is in its ultimate perfection and purity…. and final liberation takes place” (Dasgupta, 1997).
Ghee and mental purification?
An important question comes in human mind, how Ghee helps in the process of mental purification.
‘With ghee let those that purify our ghee purify us’ (Yajurveda 1/2/1).
Yogic practices such as pranayama, hatha yoga (asanas), mudras (hand gestures), bandhas (energy locks), meditation, brahmacharya (abstinence), and ahimsa (non-violence) all create physical heat in the body. This is more than physical heat as it is a pranic, mental, or spiritual heat. It is psychic in nature. It is also known as ‘tapas’ that burns creates heat and produces energy.
Just as ghee is offered in fire ceremonies to increase effects on the fire, Yogis use ghee to increase purifying heat in both body and mind. Just as a burnt seed becomes incapable of reproducing, when the mind is totally pure it becomes incapable of producing more reincarnations and liberation takes place. It is assumed.
However, too much heat can be harmful, and ghee is recommended in pranayama to prevent the mental heat causing physical burning sensations. Practitioners of pranayama are advised to take milk and ghee daily by Swami Sivananda in his ‘Science of Pranayama’.
And physical purification?
To purify his mind, the Yogi must also look to purifying his body. Yoga has 6 detoxification practises of dhauti, basti, neti, trataka, nauli and kapalbhati.
Dhauti involves evacuating large quantities of water through the bowels, swallowing a long strip of cloth, or regurgitating the contents of the stomach.
Basti involves sucking air or water into the large intestine and expelling it.
Neti involves cleaning the nasal passages with warm salt water, a soft thread, ghee or milk.
Nauli involves isolation and churning of abdominal muscles.
Kappalabhati is sucking air or water in through the nose.
Such practices clean the body’s tracts allowing prana to flow during asanas and pranayama. However, both ghee and milk are important in restoring balance. For example, both help maintain the body’s mucous lining which would otherwise be washed away. They also neutralize acidity and heat in the stomach, created by these practices.
There are many similarities between these Yogic cleansing techniques and Ayurvedic detoxification (panchakarma). Both the processes cleanse body and hence the mind. However, only the Yogi cleansing techniques have a specific spiritual effect with neti said to bestow clairvoyance alongside balancing kapha dosha. (Gheranda Samhita 1/33).
Ghee is ideal for the yogi on many levels, as a food, mental tonic, and to aid pranayama and Yogic detoxification techniques. It acts on all three bodies perceived by Yoga Philosophy: the physical body, made up of food, through nourishment, increasing digestive fire (agni) and protecting; the astral body, made up of the vital, mental and intellectual sheaves, through purifying intellect; and through its effect of increasing psychic heat, it also acts subtly on the causal body made up of the bliss sheath. However, ghee and milk should only be consumed in moderation as both have the potential to aggravate kapha. Even the most pure foods are dulling (tamsic) if taken in excess.
The Ayurveydic Sages were fully aware of ghee’s auspicious nature. They made full use of its many attributes to serve health and healing- expanded in the next article on Ayurveydic uses of Ghee in diet.
Ghee – An Ayurvedic Perspective:
The absorption of Ghee is like offering the finest of fuels into the fires of digestion-Agni. In accord with this, Ghee builds the aura, makes all the organs soft, builds up the internal juices of the body-Rasa, which are destroyed by aging and increases the most refined element of digestion-Shukra or Ojas, the underlying basis of all immunity and the “essence of all bodily tissues”.
Ghee is the single most ojas producing food on earth. Ghee is known to increase intelligence as it nourishes brain cells and improves the memory-Smirti.
Although Ghee kindles or increases the digestive fire it does so without aggravating Pitta - the elemental functioning of fire within the body - Agni, on which all nutrition depends. In fact, Ghee cools the body, essential in much of today’s world in which everything is overheating.
Ghee causes secretions and liquefaction in the dhatus - or bodily tissues that dissolve wastes allowing the functional intelligences of the body-doshas to carry away toxins-ama (also known as aam). The ingestion of Ghee is used in Panchakarma specifically to first penetrate into and then dissolve ama in the dhatus, allowing the wastes to be then carried to the intestinal tract and then expelled.
It is traditionally considered, that the older Ghee, the better its healing qualities. 100-year-old Ghee is highly valued in India and fetches a very high price. Such Ghee was often kept in Temples in large vats and families often pass on aged Ghee to their next generation to be used as medicine.
Qualities of Ghee:
Ghee is known as a substance that gives longevity. This is because it has opposite qualities (heavy, slow, oily, liquid, dense, soft), and thus pacifying effects, to the light, dry and rough qualities of Vata dosha. The increase of the qualities of Vata causes aging. Ghee, in a very sure and steady way, slows the aging process by balancing the living one.
Ghee has the quality of snigda, oiliness, and unctuousness. It is smooth, lubricated and nurturing. Ghee is thought to make the voice soft and melodious.
Ghee is heavy it increases the qualities of Kapha and decreases Pitta and Vata, which are both light.
Ghee has the quality of softness. In Ayurveydic Panchakarma treatments, Ghee is the oil used on the eyes. In Netra Basti, a small dam is built around the eyes and filled with warm Ghee. Then, you open your eyes to its soothing softness. It seems after that treatment, that you see the world though a soft diaphanous curtain of love and loveliness.
Healing Properties of Ghee:
Ghee has tremendous healing properties. In ancient India, wells full of Ghee were especially for those who suffered wounds. When a surgeon cuts open a body, he only does so knowing that the body will be able to heal itself. The surgeon cannot do this. Ghee is known for the quality of healing, and its effectiveness in facilitating recovery from wounds.
In Ayurveda, when a person has a chronic peptic ulcer or gastritis, Ghee is used to heal that ulcer inside the intestinal tract. Ghee works wondrously on bedsores for the elderly or debilitated. It can be applied for broken bones and bruises. It is highly effective for all sorts of skin rashes. It is also used on burns of both fire and chemicals. Once, I accidentally got some sandalwood oil in my eye. It burned intensely and I was unable to wash it out with a variety of eyewashes. I spent hours in pain and finally I remembered to use Ghee. Almost immediately, the Ghee pacified the burning and the eye irritation ceased.
Those with obesity should be very frugal in their use of Ghee and those with high ama should not take Ghee at all.
Ghee increases the overall strength, luster and beauty of the body. Let us look at a variety of ways:
When used on the skin, Ghee softens and strengthens, protects and nourishes. Up until the last generation in India, there used to be men who gave Ghee massages on the street. It was always the preferred substance for the skin, but since it was more expensive than oil it has come to be used only for internal purposes.
For generations, Indians have used Ghee for cooking and as an added measure on top of their food and as a medicine. In India, medicinal ghee is passed on from one generation to the next. It was used for old and young, for new babies (Mothers in India will massage their children with Ghee) and for those in the last days of their life. Sometimes, when he could not sleep, I rubbed it on his feet and temples and it soothed his agitation. It is considered it one of the best substances for self-massage-Abhyanga.
Many Uses of Ghee:
Apply ghee all over the body, rubbing into head, chest, limbs, joints and orifices. This will bypass the digestive system and allow the qualities of Ghee to penetrate directly into the deeper tissues. It is said that 60% of what is placed on the skin is absorbed into the body. We literally ‘eat’ what we put on our skin.
Western science has discovered that massaging the skin creates endorphins or peptides, which enhance the body’s immune system. Peptides are thought to be the vehicle that the mind and body use to communicate with each other, a literal chemistry of emotion. According to the Charak Samhita, regular Abhyanga slows the aging process.
Ghee is used in Purvakarma, that is early Panchakarma where a small amount of Ghee is taken first thing in the morning by the practitioner to oblate the internal organs and “dissolve” the ama or toxic wastes in the tissues, allowing them to be carried to the digestive tract for elimination.
Ghee is used as a carrier or “yogavahi” for herbs and bhasmas because of its supreme penetrating qualities and thus ability to carry these substances deep into the dhatus or tissues.
One or two teaspoons first thing in the morning followed immediately with hot water will promptly produce a bowel movement. It will also warm the body quickly. Two spoonful of Ghee in warm (non-homogenized) milk before bedtime is soothing to the nerves and lubricates the intestines and facilitates a bowel movement in the morning.
Ghee is excellent for cooking and sautéing or stir-frying. Ghee has one of the highest flash points of all oils and is very difficult to burn. In India, it is said that food is incomplete without the use of Ghee.
Ghee is excellent for a gargle-gandush, to improve the health of the teeth and gums.
Ghee can be used as bath oil. Take two tablespoons of Ghee and mix with several drops of an essential oil of your choice.
Ghee is excellent for scrapes and both chemical and heat or fire burns. Ghee can be used in the eyes for tiredness or fatigue.
Ghee is an exquisite facial moisturizer.
In India it is said that if a few drops of ghee are placed in the nostrils then nosebleed can be checked. If this is done twice in a day, then headache can be relieved.
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