Ghee from a desi cow has been called the food of gods. It becomes the primary ingredient for invoking the gods in a Vedic yagya. This heavenly ingredient brings with it immeasurable health benefits. It is anti-ageing, improves the efficacy of herbs for treatment, aids digestion, enhances cognitive abilities, and strengthens the body.
Since time immemorial, desi cow ghee has been an integral part of a sattvika ahar to ameliorate side-effects of a sick body. It promotes all the seven dhatus of the body and balances the three doshas of vata, pitta, and kapha. It assumes center stage in Panchakarma therapy and serves as a powerhouse of nutrients for both baby and mother when included in the diet of a pregnant woman.
What The Ancient Ayurvedic Texts Say?
The three most important Ayurvedic texts are the Charaka Samhita, the Sushruta Samhita, and the Ashtanga Hridayam. It is in these ancient writings where we learn the multiple uses and the powerful medicinal effects of ghee.
Charaka Clearly States The Indications for Ghee
“Promotes memory, intelligence, agni, semen, ojas, kapha, and medas. It alleviates vata, pitta, poison, insanity, phthisis, inauspiciousness, and fever. It is the best of all fats, is cold, madhura rasa, madhuravipaka, has 1,000 potentialities and so, if used properly according to prescribed methods, exerts 1,000 types of action.” Su27#231-232.
Sushruta makes an even stronger statement, “Ghrita is sweet, mild in action, soft, cold in potency (veerya), not increasing moisture in the tissues, lubricating, relieves upward movement in the alimentary tract, insanity, epilepsy, colic, fever, and distention of the abdomen, mitigates vata and pitta, kindles agni, increases memory, wisdom, intelligence, complexion, voice, beauty, softness of the body, vitality, vigor, strength, and span of life; is aphrodisiac, good for vision, increases kapha, wards off sins and inauspiciousness, destroys poisons and demons.” He further elaborates on the properties and applications of ghee obtained from the various types of animal milks including human, elephant and camel milk, Chap XLV#5v1-9 [4] stating ghee from cow’s milk is superior for all ailments.
In the Ashtanga Samgraha, Vagbhata tells us the use of ghee for snehavidhiadyaya or oleation therapy “is best for those desirous of intelligence, memory, wisdom, good digestive capacity, for those suffering tumors, sinus ulcers, worms, diseases of kapha, medas and vata origin” Chap 25 10-11 [6].
Ten Reasons To Have Desi Cow Ghee
- It significantly reduces the bad cholesterol from the body and prevents dangerous diseases like cardiac arrest.
- It is loaded with Omega 3 and Omega 9 essential fatty acids and Vitamins A, D, E, and K which help in total body nourishment.
- It promotes gut health by fighting acidity and stimulating the digestive fire.
- It nourishes the eyes and helps in eradicating sunburns.
- Ghee is a well-known catalyst (anupana) and has the unique ability to drive the healing properties of the medicinal herbs deep into the seven body tissues (sapta dhatus). This increases the effectiveness and healing potency of the herbs dispensed.
- It helps to reduce stress, anxiety, risk of cancer, diabetes, and improves immunity. It helps control allergies, arthritis, and auto-immune conditions.
- It improves reproductive health. Taking in ghee daily is known to regulate hormones in women and improve sperm quality and motility in men.
- Ghee enhances the nutrient absorption capacity of the intestinal walls. Whether applied externally or taken internally, ghee nourishes and lubricates tissues in the body. It reduces dry skin, dry colon, inflammation, and stiff joints. It helps to maintain the synovial fluids in the joints necessary for their lubrication.
- Ghee nourishes the brain and nervous system and works wonders for your memory, intellect, and for mental and emotional imbalances.
- It keeps skin hydrated and healthy and provides the much-needed glow. It can be used for chapped lips and dark under-eye circles.
Busting Myths
Myth: Ghee causes weight gain
Fact: The conjugated linoleic acid in ghee aids weight loss and strengthens the heart by preventing the formation of plaques. So, a small quantity of desi ghee in your dal or a spoonful of it on your roti would rather help you stay fit.
Myth: Ghee can cause heart attacks and strokes
Fact: Ghee is loaded with antioxidants, conjugated linoleic acid, and major fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, E, and D, which prevent the onset of cardiovascular diseases by preventing deposition in the arteries.
Myth: Lactose intolerant people shouldn’t consume ghee
Fact: Milk solids are removed from ghee, which is why it practically cannot trigger any lactose intolerance and thus can be consumed without any risk. For non-lactose intolerants, the benefits of cow ghee with hot milk are magical and help boost metabolism to a considerable extent.
Myth: Cooking in desi ghee can be hazardous
Fact: Unlike many oils that have a low smoke point at which they break down and form free radicals, causing early deterioration of the body, ghee has a considerably high smoke point (around 250 degrees Celsius) due to which it does not break down into free radicals and can be thus regarded as a safe medium for cooking.
