Ghee is a clarified butter, free of milk solids and water. It is a good alternative to cooking oil and is often used in Ayurveda medicines as well as in Indian dishes.
Ghee is the sattvic food as explained in Ayurveda. It enhances the quality of food nutrients and provides nourishment to the body. It is used as a base for many Ayurvedic herbal preparations.
It balances all the 3 doshas (3 Bioenergies: Vata, Pitta & Kapha)
Ghee is solid at room temperature and can easily be melted if necessary.
Synonyms: Ghritha, Sarpi, Butterfat and Butterschmalz.
How to prepare Ghee?
Ingredient required: unsalted organic butter
Equipments:
- Thick bottomed vessel
- Strainer
- Dry glass container for storage
Preparation method:
- Heat one pound of unsalted organic butter over low heat in a thick-bottomed vessel until it melts.
- Allow it to cook for 10-15 minutes. As it cooks with crackling sounds, a thin cover of foam appears on the top surface.
- Slowly thick curdy sediment sinks at the bottom.
- Stir occasionally to avoid burning.
- Cook until the crackling sound disappears and butter turns to clear with golden colour.
- By sprinkling a couple of water drops, we can check whether Ghee is ready or not. It produces a crackling sound when the Ghee is formed.
- When the Ghee begins to boil silently only with few of air bubbles on the surface, it is ready.
- Allow it to cool and then filter it carefully using a strainer into a clean glass container.
- Make sure that the sediments are properly filtered. As it contains the impurities from the butter and can be discarded.
Benefits
- It promotes intelligence and memory
- It improves the quality of sperm
- Increases Ojas- Vital essence of body tissues
- Improves digestive fire
- Strengthens immune system
- Improves eyesight
- Beneficial for Skin
- Helps in better absorption of Vitamins A, D, E & K
- Regularises bowel habit and prevents constipation
Nutrition Facts (One tablespoon of ghee contains)
- 135 calories
- 15 grams of total fat
- 9 grams of saturated fat
- 45 percent of recommended daily amount of fat
- 45 milligrams of cholesterol
- 108 micrograms vitamin A
- 1 mg calcium
Precaution:
Don’t keep Ghee container under direct sunlight.
Keep away from moisture and store it in a dry container.
Author
Dr. Keerthi Shetty
Indian Ayurveda Doctor
Panchakarma Expert
Yoga Coaching
