THE
AYURVEDIC VIEW ON EATING RIGHT:
Ghee
-- Ayurvedic Cooking Oil
Looking for
a cooking oil that’s healthy, yet doesn’t mean you
have to compromise on taste? Consider Ghee
-- the ayurvedic cooking medium that’s been around for
thousands of years. It has a rich, buttery taste and aroma,
and comes with a host of benefits that are listed in the traditional
ayurvedic texts.
WHAT IS
GHEE?
Ghee
is clarified butter -- the butter oil, without the lactose
and other milk solids. The word ghee is pronounced with a
hard G as in GO and a long E as in GLEE. It is traditionally
prepared by gently heating butter until it becomes a clear
golden liquid. The lactose and other milk solids coagulate
and are meticulously removed. This process also evaporates
most of the natural water content, making ghee light, pure
and resistant to spoilage.
BENEFITS
RECOGNIZED IN THE AYURVEDIC TEXTS
Ayurveda considers ghee the ultimate cooking oil, with
diverse mind/body benefits listed in the ancient texts.
- Absorption:
Ghee
is an integral part of the science of ayurvedic herbal formulation.
Since ghee is an oil, it can bond with lipid-soluble nutrients
and herbs to penetrate the lipid-based cell walls of the
body. It is stated to increase the potency of certain herbs
by carrying the active components to the interior of the
cells where they impart the most benefit.
- Preservative:
Ghee
does not spoil easily, and actually preserves the original
freshness and potency of herbs and foods. It does not need
refrigeration.
- Digestion:
The ayurvedic texts say that Ghee
helps balance excess stomach acid, and helps maintain/repair
the mucus lining of the stomach.
- Mild
Burns: Like aloe, Ghee
is said to prevent blisters and scarring if applied quickly
to affected skin.
- Mind:
Ghee is said to promote all three aspects of mental functioning
-- learning, memory and recall.
- Ayurvedic
Balance: Ghee
balances both Vata (the ayurvedic mind/body operator that
controls movement in mind and body) and Pitta (the operator
that controls heat and metabolism).
Ghee
has been given the cherished title of “rasayana”
in ayurveda -- pre-eminent herbs and foods that help overall
health, longevity and well-being.
THE RIGHT
KIND OF FAT
It is generally recognized that some fat is essential
for health. A totally fat-free diet can actually accelerate
aging of the skin, nerves and brain cells. Without an adequate
quantity of the right kind of fat in the diet, cell regeneration
can be adversely impacted. Fats are needed for efficient absorption
of crucial lipid-soluble vitamins such as A, E, D and K. The
stomach lining, which protects the stomach from the acids
it secretes to help break down foods, needs fat to maintain
a healthy coating. Similarly, cholesterol in the body serves
functions that are crucial to health, such as building cell
membranes, and hormone and bile balance. It is when cholesterol
is damaged by harmful free radicals that it leads to clogged
arteries and heart problems. Ghee
imparts the benefits of the best essential fatty acids without
the problems of oxidized cholesterol, transfatty acids or
hydrogenated fats. It is also resistant to free radical damage
and is both salt and lactose free.
VERSATILE
COOKING MEDIUM
Ghee
has an excellent aroma and is so
flavorful that you can use half or two-thirds as much as other
cooking oils. It has a very high burning point and doesn’t
burn or smoke during cooking. It combines excellently with
a wide variety of spices. You can use ghee to sauté
foods, in baking, to deep-fry, or even as a spread.
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Spice-infused
Ghee
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Ghee,
the golden cooking oil of Ayurveda, combines particularly
well with many herbs and spices. Sautéing spices
in ghee releases their flavor and aroma. Maharishi Ayurveda
spice-infused ghees combine ghee with garden-fresh herbs
and spices to make it convenient and quick to covert
every meal into a delight for the senses.
More
about Gourmet Ghee with Herbs
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