Ghee - number 2

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(from Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa)

 

Medicated ghee, clarified butter in which herbs have been

extracted (ghrita), is a famous preparation method for treating pitta

conditions. For example, the well-known Brahmi Ghrita contains the

popular herb gotu kola, and is used for a broad variety of brain

conditions in a dose of 1 Tbs. per day.

Shatavari ghrita is made by decocting 1 part shatavari root in 4 parts

ghee and 8 parts water and 8 parts milk (or just 16 parts water), over a

low heat, until all the water is evaporated and only the medicated ghee

remains. After it cools, vitamin E can be added to preserve it, if desired.

Ghee is also used externally. Ayurvedic beauty consultant

Pratima Raichur suggests it as a massage base to benefit sensitive

(pitta) skin. Ayurveda is known for recommending ghee, sometimes mixed

with honey, as an application for wounds, inflammation, and blisters. A

special preparation, hundred-times-washed-ghee, is applied topically for

wound healing, and to calm pitta.

Ayurveda suggests that natural milk products are superior to

margarine. A 1991 study by the Medical Research Council showed that

eating butter created half the heart disease risk, compared to

polyunsaturated margarine, which contains risky trans fats. Ghee in

actual diets also produced less heart disease than trans fat containing

diets. When all is said and done, though, ghee is fat, and only a

certain amount of total fat is necessary in the diet. If you would like

to switch to ghee, make sure you reduce your total fat intake

proportionately.

To make ghee, place 1-2 pounds of butter in a saucepan on the

stovetop. Melt at low heat until white curds separate and sink to the

bottom. When a drop of water flicked into the pan boils immediately, the

ghee is done. Decant the butter oil from the pan, discarding the curds

at the bottom. Store in a clean jar in the cupboard. If kept clean and

water free, ghee needs no refrigeration.

Ghee and butter have essentially the same healing properties, but ghee

is more digestible. Where ghee is warm and light, butter is said to be

cold and heavy. Butter is tonic and building. It treats anorexia,

enlargement of the spleen, hemorrhoids and facial paralysis. It

increases vision, memory, gastric fire and semen. It is good for

muscles, mental disorders, swelling and lethargy. Butter increases kapha

(water), and reduces vata (air) and pitta (fire).