Why it no longer makes sense to shun ghee

The kitchen staple does a lot more than just add flavour to food—it’s a do-it-all remedy to improve your tip-to-toe health

In most Indian households, the satisfaction of home-prepared meals or the wisdom (read: hacks) that your grandmother imparts remain unchanged for generations. An ingredient whose versatility is unsurpassed is ghee. From decadent desserts to bone and skin health treatments, ghee has been a salient part of the Indian kitchen for aeons together. The recent past has seen a surge in the popularity and usage of ghee amongst the newer generations as well. According to Ayurveda, ghee has around 1,000 potential uses, reveals Dr Taruna Yadav, senior Ayurveda doctor at Forest Essentials. 

What was considered an avertable fat until some years ago, has now gained centre-stage, thanks to the shift towards Ayurveda and old-school lifestyle practices following the COVID-19 pandemic. From natural supplements ( those containing amla or ashwagandha) to beauty products thriving on naturally derived (active) ingredients, the market for the category has expanded considerably, and thus, the appetite for ghee-infused beauty products has spiralled too. No wonder, the Indian ghee market is expected to grow from ₹2.9 billion in 2022 to ₹5.1 billion in 2028, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 10 per cent. We speak to beauty and Ayurvedic experts to break down the many benefits of ghee. 

An elixir of goodness 

“Ghee is the omega-3 much before [we knew about] omega-3; it’s good for almost everything in the human body, from the digestive system and skin to the hair and nervous system,” says Nidhi Pandya, a third-generation Ayurvedic practitioner. Ghee has been a staple in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, providing nutritional benefits not just for your body, but also the skin and hair, shares Dr Neeru Jain, spa and wellness director at Six Senses Fort Barwara. “As per Ayurveda, ghee is the best oleate (an ester of oleic acid) due to its unctuousness. This property of fats is indicated by the saponification value being highest in ghee. Ghee has a unique quality to adopt properties of herbs processed with it without losing its own,” explains Jain. “If ghee is processed with drugs having nourishing properties, then it is indicated in degenerative diseases. If it is processed with drugs having hot and strong properties, it is indicated in obstructive diseases. Therefore, it is considered ideal for processing. One or the other medicated ghee preparation is indicated in almost all diseases,” she further explains.

Yadav expands on how ghee is a powerhouse of nutrients. “Ayurvedic texts revere ghee for its benefits for the whole body. It is rich in antioxidants and nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid. It is great for building dhatus (tissues) and nourishing ojas (essence for Kapha doshas), tejas (essence for Pitta doshas), and prana (essence for Vata doshas),” shares Yadav. “Ghee has the qualities of snigdha (unctuousness) and mridu (softness). It is smooth, nurturing, lubricates the connective tissues and makes the body flexible. It is digestive, and it helps to improve absorption and assimilation. In moderation, ghee balances all the doshas.”

How does ghee help the skin?

“Ghee is a storehouse of vitamins and antioxidants that nourishes dehydrated and dry skin and revives dull skin, adding suppleness and radiance. Some important benefits of ghee for the skin, according to Ayurveda, are Ojovardhark, which improves the overall vitality and ojas of the body, Rasayana, which exhibits rejuvenating or antioxidant properties, Kanti Prada, which is radiance and lustre-giving, Tvachya, which improves the skin's tone and complexion, and Vaya Sthapana that is primarily anti-ageing or age-restoring,” says Yadav.

“When used topically, ghee leaves a soft, smooth and moisturised feel on the skin and hair. When combined with other natural ingredients, it can create a luxurious and nourishing experience for the senses,” says Jain. Explaining why the brand decided to incorporate ghee in their best-selling Soundarya Radiance Cream, Yadav shares, “Ayurvedic science calls ghee an excellent ‘anupana’ (vehicle) for transporting herbal extracts to the deeper layers of tissue of the skin. We use ghee in its purest form in the products as per the tenets of Ayurveda using the time-honoured process of ‘Shata Dauta Ghrita’, or a hundred washes of ghee. This is an ancient preparation that involves one hundred clockwise hand rotations of a copper bowl that is pressed into a blend of fresh cow’s ghee and water. This process enriches the ghee with the metal’s innate therapeutic properties.”

Ayurvedic brand Shankara Naturals launched Ghee Sutra recently, a product that features a re-invented version of the classic Shata Dauta Ghrita preparation. “We decided to enrich it with vitamin C and herbs such as hibiscus and blue pea. The face emulsion replicates the texture of a soft and silky ointment that nourishes your skin and boosts collagen, offering excellent skin-healing and anti-inflammatory benefits,” shares Astha Katpitia, head of Shankara Naturals. “Ashtanga Hridaya, a text that combines teachings from both the key Ayurvedic texts—Charaka Samhitas and Sushruta Samhitas—also recommends using ghee as a skincare ingredient,” she adds. 

Equally advantageous for all-round health

If you think only your skin can reap the benefits of ghee, think again. “For centuries, ghee has been an important Ayurvedic remedy for various day-to-day issues, think digestion, as it improves gut health and reduces inflammation in the digestive tract,” says Jain. She also informs that massaging ghee onto your joints is known to help relieve joint pain. “The omega-3 fatty acids in ghee, along with other compounds, help cognitive function and improve memory. Ghee is known to strengthen eyesight, and medicated ghee has been used as nasal drops for balancing the air and fire elements for those suffering from ENT (eyes, nose and throat) disorders.” Pandya also vouches for the benefits of ghee for the eyes; she recommends applying some to the eyes. “It may sting for a bit, but it is extremely effective for the eyes. It gets in and soothes any inflammation.”

Apart from the topical application, consuming ghee is equally recommended. “Whether you’re old or young, weak or healthy, injured or not, ingesting ghee promotes longevity, strength, intelligence and good complexion. It also improves fertility; ‘phala ghrita’ is a kind of medicated ghee ( a greater quality of ghee).” Even if we consider ghee as a heavy substance, it fuels the system, informs Pandya. “Ghee is an integral part of Ayurvedic living, including skin and haircare, therapeutic and medicinal usage, and as an ingredient for different Ayurvedic wellness practices such as oil pulling, nasya (a practise to clear the ears, nose and throat through nasal oiling), abhyanga (a head-to-toe oil massage using Dosha-specific herbal oils)and the likes,” mentions Yadav. 

Jain takes a deeper dive into the act of oil pulling, which celebrities like Anushka Sharma, Miranda Kerr and Gwyneth Paltrow swear by. “The practice of oil pulling involves the swishing of oil around one’s mouth for several minutes in the morning to improve oral health. Ghee can definitely be used for oil pulling. It is believed to improve oral health by removing toxins and bacteria from one’s mouth. Besides, the calming and antimicrobial properties of ghee help heal mouth ulcers and bleeding gums, even reducing the risk of cavities,” shares the wellness expert. However, for Pandya, ghee isn’t the best choice for oil pulling as it doesn’t get into little cavities of the teeth.

Explaining the logic behind the popular ritual of consuming a teaspoon of ghee every day, Jain says, “Consuming it before every meal helps stimulate digestive enzymes and promote healthy digestion. Ayurvedic experts recommend consuming ghee on a regular basis to help improve memory and concentration and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.” We are mammals, and since ghee also comes from mammals, consuming it aligns with the Ayurvedic principle of ‘Samanya Vishesh Siddhanta’ which is about consuming something with similar properties to what you’re trying to replenish.

“Those consuming ghee on a regular basis also have an easier time dealing with menopause,” claims Pandya. She suggests adding a spoonful of ghee to a hot cup of milk right after a workout to recover from burnout and nourish your nerves. “The same recipe also assists with insomnia.” Jain recommends filling ghee into a pitted date, equivalent to the size of its seed, and consuming it on an empty stomach in the morning. “It helps rejuvenate your body and aids in tissue repair, thus helping with post-disease recovery,” she concludes.

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