Ghee Benefits, Usage, Side Effects, Contra Indications

If you ever have heard anything bad about cow ghee, please forget that for a moment and read the following. Ghee is probably the most sacred, spiritual and physically health benefiting substances that is ever known to human beings. A person who is allergic to dairy products or gluten, need not be allergic to ghee. If you fail to consume ghee, there are so many ways it can be used for skin, nasal drops, enema etc. 

Here, ghee means cow ghee. Ghee is also referred to clarified butter in USA.

Right time to take ghee

Ghee balances Pitta Dosha very well. Consider Pitta as fire element in the body. If we divide the day into three parts, afternoon is the time in which Pitta is highly aggravated, because, temperature hits the maximum in the afternoon. Hence, ghee with lunch is the best time to take.
Taking ghee in the afternoon is ideal especially during summer and in autumn seasons. During summer, ghee is good to calm the excess afternoon heat. During autumn, Pitta is naturally highly aggravated.
If someone has excessive stress, lack of sleep etc symptoms, then it is best to take ghee both in the afternoon and evening.
Evening is vata time and ghee is also good to relieve Vata Dosha symptoms such as anxiety, excess thoughts, sleep disturbances etc.

Ghee for diabetes

Ghee does not have direct role in diabetes. But a fat, it is a source of healthy energy. Including ghee in diet helps you to reduce the amount of carbohydrates that you take. For example, including 10-15ml of ghee in a meal will help you to cut down about 30 grams of rice or a Chapati (bread). This way, ghee helps to reduce glucose intake and thus helps to control blood sugar. 
Ghee, being a fat helps to satiate hunger fast. This way, the person, once after taking ghee in diet will stay away from food for a longer period of time, without feeling hunger or tired. 

Ghee for digestion

Effect of ghee on digestion strength: Pitta and fire are inter-related. Usually, the substances that balance Pitta, also cause depletion of digestion fire. But ghee is an exception. It balances Pitta Dosha but it increases digestion strength.
However, it does not help in Ama (altered digestion and metabolism condition). In a normal person, if digestion strength is a bit low, then ghee is useful in improving his digestive capacity.
Ghee is quite similar to milk in qualities, but unlike milk, ghee improves digestion. (Bhava Prakasha)
Read related: Ghee home remedy for dry cough

Ghee health benefits

Versatile health benefits of ghee:
Herbal rectal suppositories are smeared with ghee before insertion into anal canal. 5/288
It is conducive to Rasadhatu (essence part of digested food), Sukradhatu (semen) and Ojas. It has cooling and softening effect on the body. It adds to the clarity of the voice and complexion – Charaka Sutrasthana 13th chapter

As per Bhojana Kutuhala ghee which is freshly formed and of bovine origin improves complexion, imparts wisdom, memory, strength, luster and nourishes the body. It helps in removing excess kapha and vata dosha, fatigue and clears the channels of the body, acts as aphrodisiac and stimulates the digestive fire. That which is obtained from buffalo’s milk is cardio tonic, improves perception, helps in treating hemorrhoids and grahani, stimulates digestive fire and is considered superior to the fresh ghee prepared from cow’s milk.

Ghee made out of goat’s milk is good for eyes, stimulates the digestive fire, is strengthening and is helpful in cough, dyspnoea, rajayakshma and disorders caused due to vitiation of kapha. It is light for digestion and is slightly inferior in quality when compared to ghee made of buffalo’s milk.

Indications

Indications for the administration of Ghee:
Intake of herbal ghee is prescribed for those with
Chakshu Kama – those desiring good eye sight,
Kshata Ksheena – with chest injured,
For the old, children and weak,
Those desirous of longevity, of strength, good complexion, voice, nourishment, progeny, tenderness, luster, immunity, memory, intelligence, power of digestion, wisdom, proper functioning of sense organs and those afflicted with injuries due to burns, by weapons, poisons and fire.
Ghee is one of those dietary ingredients that can be consumed by all at all times. Ashtanga Hrudayam Su.  8/43.
It is one of the essential dietary ingredients for those debilitated due to treatments.
It helps in improving digestion power. (Ashtanga Hrudaya Su. 9/27)
It nourishes body tissues, suitable for people of all ages.
It strengthens sense organs, immunity,
It improves tone and strength of the voice.
It begets longevity.  (Ashtanga Hrudaya Sutrasthana 10/22)
It is useful for those taking alcohol regularly, for women, who do regular exercise, for old and for young.

As per –  Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 27
Cow ghee promotes memory, intellect, power of digestion, semen, Ojas,
Kapha and fat.
It alleviates Vata, Pitta
Visha – toxic conditions
Unmada – insanity,
Shosha – emaciation
Alakshmihara – it is auspicious.
It is the best of all the unctuous substances.
Cold in potency and sweet both in taste as well as Vipaka.
When administered according to the prescribed procedure, it increases, thousand times in potency and develops manifold utilities.
Read related: Ghee and saffron home remedy for migraine

Purana Grita uses

Purana Ghrita – One year old cow ghee is useful in
Mada – intoxication,
Apasmara – epilepsy,
Moorcha – fainting,
Shosha – emaciation
Unmada – schizophrenia, insanity
Gara – remnant poisons
Jwara – fever
Pain in the ear, head as well as female genital tract.
Properties of ghee of other animals viz, goat, sheep and buffalo are the same as those of their milk.
How to use ghee for skincare

Auspiciousness of ghee

Ghee is auspicious!
Ghee is considered very auspicious. In olden days, when the student was approaching a Guru, to learn Ayurveda, the student used to carry many auspicious things with him on the day of his initiation. Among many things such as fire, Palasha stick, sandal wood paste, earthen jar filled with water, etc, Ghee was also one among the things. This signifies the importance and auspiciousness of ghee. (reference: Charaka Samhita Vimana Sthana 8th chapter).

Ghee Vs coconut oil Video

Ghee for weight gain

Ghee for weight gain:
Regular consumption of ghee or inclusion of ghee as part of diet, is recommended for those seeking weight gain. Ghee is useful for people with emaciation, having lean body, having dryness of skin.

Ghee for Shukra Dhatu

Ghee for sex:
Ghee is useful to improve quality of Shukra Dhatu (male and female reproductive system). With its immense nourishing health benefits, it is indicated for people who indulge in daily sex.  (Ashtanga  Hrudayam 16/5)

Ghee for dryness

Oral consumption of Ghee to relieve dryness:
For people suffering from extreme dry skin, dry voice and overall dryness of body, in seasons like winter, ghee along with milk helps to relieve dryness and induce unctuousness, very quickly. (Ashtanga. Hr. Su. 16/41)
Ghee was also used as a dietary ingredient in post-surgical care. (A. Hr. Su 29/36)

Ghee for fever

Use of ghee in fever:
Ghee intake helps to relieve burning sensation after relief from fever. (A. Hr. Chi. 1/59). But note that clarified butter is not indicated while the person is having fever. It is only used in patients, after fever is completely cured, to regain strength and immunity.

Ghee for newborn

2 – 5 drops of Ghee is advised to be given to newborn. (A. Hr. U. 1/9)
Ghee and milk are congenial to children by birth. (A. Hr. U. 2/31)
Ghee is advised for a lactating mother. It is believed to add nourishing qualities to the breast milk and to fortify milk with nourishing qualities (A. Hr. U 2/10)

Ghee for eyes

In many of the eye disorders, ghee is used for a process called ‘Tarpana’. Here a compound around eye orbit is built with thick paste of floor and the compound is filled with herbal ghee. The person is asked to open and close the eyes. Ayurveda says that this procedure improves and strengthens the eye power. (Sharangdhara Samhita Uttarakhanda 13/1). Especially, Ghee processed with Triphala is used for this purpose.
Ghee along with Triphala and honey is told as a remedy to improve eye health. Read more
Ghee is used for application over eyes for strengthening of vision. (A Hr. Su. 24/16)
Ghee is used to wash eyes for soothing effect. (A. Hr. U 9/7)

Ghee for gargling

Ghee for gargling in place of oil-pulling:
In the method of oil pulling, in place of sesame oil, cow ghee is used. This is especially useful to heal oral ulcers and to relieve burning sensation. It is indicated in Pitta imbalance oral disorders. Read more about oil pulling

Ghee administered from different routes:

Shata dhauta grita

Ghee washed with water:
A special procedure is used to wash ghee with water, called as Shata Dhauta ghrita.
In pregnant woman, a special processed ghee is used to apply around the umbilical area.
Ghee is used for application over wounds and burns to reduce the heat and calm Pitta.
Ghee is applied over lips to heal the seasonal cracked lips.
It is also useful for local application for heel cracks.

Ghee is an excellent moisturizer and gives a soothing and coolant effect when used for whole body massage. It is applied allover the body and massage is done with gentle pressure.

Ghee enema

Herbal rectal suppositories are smeared with ghee before insertion into anal canal. 5/288
In Ayurveda practice, Enema of ghee is used to strengthen bones. (A. Hr. Su. 11/34)
As per Ayurveda, bone gets its nourishment from fat. By administering ghee through enema, Vata gets balanced, leading to proper nourishment of bone tissue. (Bone and Vata are connected). Hence, ghee enema is useful in cases like arthritis.

While administering it for enema, usually it is administered alone in a dose of 30-60 ml. Usually 1 – 3 grams of rock salt is mixed along with it for easier absorption. If it is winter, then the ghee is heated to bring it to 30-35 degree Celsius.
As enema, normal cow ghee can be used or based on the disease, herbal ghee can also be used.

Ghee is also used as an ingredient in decoction enema, also called Asthapana basti.
Here, a combination of honey, rock salt, herbal ghee / oil, herbal paste and decoction are mixed and administered.
In Asthapana basti, where the purpose is to balance both Vata and Pitta Dosha, where nourishment of tissues is the purpose, then ghee is preferred to herbal oil.

For example, in
Vrushya Basti – aphrodisiac enema to treat male disorders, cow ghee or kalyanaka ghrita is used.
In certain skin disorders, Panchatikta guggulu ghrita is used as an ingredient, which is a very good medicine for various skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis etc.
In Balavarnakara basti, administered for improving skin health, strength and immunity.

Ghee for herbal smoking

Ayurveda recommends herbal smoking as one of the daily routines. Ghee is extensively used as an ingredient in Ayurveda herbal smoking procedure. (A.Hr. Su. 21/15)

Ghee for wounds, bleeding, burning sensation

Jatyadi ghrita – an herbal ghee is used for the treatment of external wounds. (local application).
Half a cup of ghee with a teaspoon of turmeric powder and 2 teaspoon of neem – this paste is applied locally for quick healing of wounds and abscesses.

In leech therapy, ghee is applied over the concern area to reduce the burning sensation. (A Hr. Su 26/41)
Ghee is advised for application over bleeding wounds for cooling and quick wound healing effect. (A Hr. Su. 28/25)
In ancient times, ghee was used as base to prepare wicks that were used for local application after surgical procedures. (A. Hr. Su. 29/27)
Ghee was used to  apply over the surgical suture for quick healing. (A. Hr. Su 29/54)
In Ayurveda practice, while treating fistula and piles using a special preparation called Kshara, ghee is applied after the procedure to relieve burning sensation and irritation. (A. Hr. Su. 30/31)
Ghee is an excellent wound healing agent, when it is applied locally. (A. Hr. Su. 30/34)
In children, while doing ear lobe puncturing, ghee is applied first, to reduce pain & irritation and to ease piercing. (A. Hr. U. 1/31)

Ghee application over cracked lips, cracked nipples in new mothers and cracked heals softens the edges of everted skin and quickens healing.
Ghee applied over skin relieves dryness and burning sensation.

Ghee for wounds, abscess and fistula

Psychological benefits

It is best suited for those desiring intellect, memory and intelligence.  (A. Hr. Su. 16/8)
Ghee is mixed with mustard and neem leaves and used for fumigation. This helps to ward off evil forces. (A. Hr. U 3/48)
Application of ghee over the scalp area helps to calm the mind down.

Ghee for immunity

Ghee as immunity booster – references –
The term ojas is used to represent immunity. Ghee is one of the essential dietary ingredients to improve Ojas.
Substances that are anti aging naturally improve immunity. Ghee along with milk is considered as the best anti aging dietary combination. (Charaka Sutrasthana 25/40)

Spiritual significance

Use of Ghee in Spiritual Purposes;
Ghee is considered as very pure and auspicious. Hence in Hindu custom, while serving food, a little ghee is sprinkled over the food, symbolizing that ghee purifies the food. This practice is known as “Abhighara”
Ghee is used in Spiritual practices called as Homa, where Ghee is offered to fire.  Of all the sources available to use as fuel for fire, only ghee is used. It highlights the importance of Ghee.

After waking up in the morning, it is an auspicious ritual to see the face in ghee. Bhavaprakasha 5/17

Ghee home remedies

Having a teaspoon of ghee before food in the morning relieves pain in the bladder region (A. Hr. Su.  4/6)
In chronic fever, garlic along with ghee is advised as diet.  (A. Hr. Chi 1/55)
To relieve dryness of palate and oral cavity, Amla powder and raisins are mixed with ghee and kept inside mouth for a few minutes. (Bhava Prakasha Madhyama Khanda)
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) powder is consumed with ghee to relieve burning sensation. 1/670
Triphala decoction added with ghee and sugar is useful in the treatment of anemia. (improves liver function)  BR 12/5.
Ghee remedy for Pitta related cough

Ghee for allergic rhinitis

Before you go out of your house for work, try applying a thin layer of ghee to the inner wall of nostril. It really helps to avoid dust allergy.

Ghee before Panchakarma

During the preparatory procedure for Panchakarma: Panchakarma is a procedure wherein the imbalanced Doshas are expelled out of the body. Prior to Panchakarma, high doses of ghee is given to the person to drink within a short span of 1 – 7 days. Ghee having good penetrating capacity, penetrates deep into body tissues and acts as a vehicle to diffuse Dosha accumulation in the body. It also helps to Bring the imbalanced Dosha into the gastro-intestinal tract from where it expelled out by Panchakarma procedure.

Ghee for diseases

Ghee for health conditions: Ghee has a very unique capability to absorb the active constituents of an herb into it, without leaving out ghee’s inherent quality. This quality of ghee is hailed as “Yogavahi”. Hence Ghee is processed with different herbs to imbibe those useful qualities into Ghee. This processed ghee is extensively used in Ayurveda for a wide range of health conditions.
Ghee is used as adjuvant along with herbal decoctions. (Ghee is given for oral administration with herbal decoctions). Bhavaprakasha Uttarakhanda 2/6
Ghee is also used as adjuvant along with herbs in paste (Kalka) and powder  (Churna) form. Bhava Prakasha 2/13

Ghee during pregnancy

In a pregnant lady, soon after beginning of labor pain, the lady is given oil massage and hot water bath. After this, lady is given a gruel along with ghee. – Bhavaprakasha 3/344

Ghee is suggested as an essential dietary ingredient in pregnancy in Ayurveda. This is because, ghee is hailed as a sweet substance which is congenial and habitual to anyone since birth.

Ghee is ideal for improving intelligence; memory, ingenuity, digestion strength, longevity,  quality of semen and ovum, and eye sight. It is useful  for children, the aged, those who desire more children, tenderness of the body, and pleasant voice.

Of all the oils and fats, ghee is the best for retaining of youth; It has the capacity of of giving a thousand good effects by a thousand kinds of processing.

During pregnancy, enlivening substances like ghee and milk should be used. Ghee can be used both externally and internally.

As per Yoga Ratnakara text book, ghee is one among the diet substances that the pregnant can take on daily basis. (Reference: Yoga Ratnakara Ksheeradosha Chikitsa)

Especially, during the first 12 days of pregnancy, ghee obtained from milk should be consumed by the pregnant mother.
In the third month, milk, ghee and honey are to be administered to the pregnant. (caraka saṃhitā śārīra sthāna 8/32)
In the fifth month of pregnancy, milk and ghee should be administered. (caraka saṃhitā śārīrasthāna 8/32)
In the sixth month, milk and ghee processed with sweet herbs should be administered.
In seventh month, ghee can be processed with wild yam etc herbs and administered. (suśruta saṃhitā śārīra sthāna 10/4)
In eighth month, milk and ghee should be given to drink.
Rice gruel processed with ghee should also be given.

External application of ghee during pregnancy:
In case of bleeding during pregnancy, one should apply shata dhauta or sahasra dhauta ghrita (washed a thousand times) to all the area below the level of umbilicus.
Shata dhauta ghrita – for umbilical region., water washed ghee – Ghee is mixed with equal quantities of water, mashed well and water is drained out. This process is repeated for 10 – 15 times.  This ghee is applied over below umbilical region to stabilize pregnancy.
Ghee with turmeric is an excellent remedy for cracked heals, during pregnancy.
Ghee is traditionally anointed over palm and feet to relieve burning sensation.
A cup of ghee is mixed with a teaspoon of turmeric powder. It is applied over the abdomen, flanks, lower part of breasts and buttocks to prevent stretch marks.

How to consume ghee?

Half a teaspoon of ghee during morning or as part of breakfast is a great way to start your day.
While taking food, first ghee with hard food stuff should be consumed, followed by soft foods and in the end curds.
Usually after ghee consumption, it is good to have a warm beverage.
For example, half – one teaspoon of ghee can be consumed just before having morning cup of tea / coffee.

Ghee as nasal drops Video

Ghee as nasal drops:
2 drops of Ghee is put into both nostrils in the morning, at least 30 minutes before food. This practice is called as Nasya Karma.

Ghee is useful as nasal drops
a. when a person has dryness of nose, bleeding through nose
b. to improve memory and concentration
c. to treat migraine, headache that is not caused due to sinusitis
d. dizziness due to long travels
e. Burning sensation in eyes, nose, in the head
f. To relieve anxiety, depression, racing thoughts
g. Wherever, nourishing qualities are expected.
h. In case ​of Vata and Pitta imbalance.
i. Wherever you need calming and soothing and coolant effects
j. As a co-remedy for hypertension
k. Early greying of hairs
l. Trigeminal neuralgia, tinnitus, hearing problems, vision problems
The nasal drops therapy with ghee can be continued for about 2 – 6 weeks time.

It is better to do a gentle massage with a few drops of sesame oil on face and neck, leave it on for 5 minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water and then put the nasal drops.
The massage and the washing the face helps in better distribution of the nasal drops.

In people with severe allergic rhinitis, when they go outside, a thin layer of ghee is applied over the inside of the nostrils. This forms a protective layer against dust and smoke.

Which ghee to be used for nasal drops?
Cow ghee is commonly used. In case of specific diseases like schizophrenia, epilepsy etc, herbal ghees indicated for those diseases, such as Maha Kalyanaka Ghrita, Panchagavya Ghrita etc are used.

But there are a few rules for Nasal drops instillation –
For example, use of ghee for nasal drops is not recommended when the sky is full of clouds, during extreme winter and rainy seasons, when the person has cold, sinusitis, cough and fever.
Ghee balances Vata and Pitta Dosha. Hence, in all conditions of head and neck involving Vata and Pitta, ghee is useful.
But in cases of sinusitis, cold and cough (which are due to Vata and Kapha), ghee may worsen the condition. Read related: How to do Nasya treatment

Side effects, contraindications

Clarified butter side effects and Contra indication:
Ghee is best avoided during jaundice, hepatitis, fatty liver changes.
Excess of ghee can cause indigestion and diarrhea.
Consuming ghee while having cold, cough may worsen the condition in a few
During fever
During Ama
Unmixed ghee should not be taken in the event of the domination of Pitta specially when Pitta is associated with Ama.
Ghee taken in this condition brings about paleness (Jaundice) in the body and may prove to be fatal by impairing the consciousness.
Avoid ghee when the pregnant mother is suffering with cold or indigestion.
In case of feeling of indigestion or heaviness of stomach after ghee consumption, a warm drink or a cup of fat-less buttermilk can be consumed.

Management of over-dose

If you think you have over-consumed ghee, do not take food till the ghee is completely digested. Anyways, you will not be feeling hunger.
Sip in warm water once in every half an hour. Use it for drinking and washing.
If you start feeling hungry, try to have hot liquid foods such as hot clear veg soup.
After you start feeling lightness in the stomach and body, you can resume your routine dietary habits.
Triphala, Trikatu – are used to cleanse the channels and improve digestion strength, if the ghee causes indigestion due to wrong use.
Fat less buttermilk is told as a specific remedy to counter the ill effects of wrong usage of ghee. It helps to improve digestion.

Special thanks to Mr Sandeep Agarwal, Owner, Pure Indian Foods.  He is based in NJ, USA, manufactures grass fed organic ghee and many different spice combinations. Most part of this article was a paid compilation work that I had done for him, a year ago. When I asked for his permission to write this article, he was generous enough to permit. This is NOT a paid endorsement of Pure Indian Foods.

Action on Vata Dosha

Question: I read Online Desi ghee helps in pacify Vata. Now Desi ghee is cool in nature, So as Vata body type are also cool in nature. So how it would help in pacify Vata?
Answer: Ghee is not a coolant. It has coolant effect only on stomach. It is mildly hot in nature. Because of its hotness, it helps to improve digestion strength. And because of its mild hotness, it balances Vata.

Cow Ghee Usage For Hypertension

Ghee for vomiting

Ghee is used for the treatment of Vata type of vomiting, associated with gurgling sound and abdominal pain. 
Ghee with rock- salt (cooked with rock salt). This recipe is given to the patient of Vatika Chardi, associated with the palpitation of the heart.
Ghee cooked with coriander, ginger, Yogurt and pomegranate juice Pomegranate  and
Ghee added with the powder of Ginger, pepper, long pepper, Rock salt, black salt and Vida type of salt;
The patient of Vatika Chardi is given food which is unctuous and pleasing to the heart along with meat- soup, vegetable- soup, yogurt and sour pomegranate. (Charaka Chikitsa Sthana, 20th chapter).  

Ghee for newborn

अथ खलु जात मात्रम् एव बालम् उल्वात् सैन्धव सर्पिषा मार्जयेत्।(वाग्भट)
Acharya Vagbhata tells ‘Immediately after the birth of the child, the Ulva (secretions or cheesy white coating enveloping the body and face of the new born child) over the body and face should be cleansed by wiping and rubbing it with the mixture of Saindhava Lavana (Rock salt) and Sarpi (ghee)’
Read related: Ayurvedic Care Of The Newborn Baby: Jatamatra Paricharya

Effect on Tridosha

Ghee calms Pitta and Vata. Hence, it is ideal for people with Vata-Pitta body type and for those suffering from Vata and Pitta imbalance disorders.

Ghee with water?

Question: You have spoken about ghee mixed with water not being good for digestion. Should we never cook food in ghee ?
In the context of Shata dhauta ghrita – 100 times washed ghee – I have quoted that remnant water molecules can spoil the ghee, hence this ghee is not ideal for oral consumption.

In many foods, including liquid foods like Payasam, panchagavya, Panchamrita etc, ghee is administered along with other liquids like milk, curd.
In Ganji the semi solid cooked rice, it is a common practice in Karnataka to mix a teaspoon of ghee and salt and consume it with pickle.

In Ayurvedic medicines also, ghee is used as a co-drink with many liquid foods. For example, for Vata – Pitta imbalance disorder such as gastritis, A kashaya like Indukanta kashaya can be administered with half a teaspoon of ghee. In all above instances, if you have noticed, the amount of ghee is very less, compared to the other liquid ingredients. If the liquid proportion is very high and ghee quantity is very less, it is very fine to mix ghee with the liquid foods. Ghee is advised along with warm water. Hence, it really helps in digestion if the ghee is mixed with warm liquids (such as hot rasam), just before administration. It is also advised not to keep the liquid+ghee mix for a very long period of time. Usually, in above instances, the ghee is mixed with the liquid food and it is served hot and immediately. For example, if you are preparing a kheer with ghee in it, better to make it fresh and serve hot. This practice does not cause any problem to digestion and thus, it does not cause any health issues.

Ghee with coffee?

It has become a fad now-a-days to add a teaspoon of ghee to a cup of coffee. This is well known to decrease the stomach irritation effect of coffee, since the ghee has stomach calming effect. Adding ghee to coffee didn’t reduce the “kick” or stimulation that we get from coffee, as ghee has Samskarasya anuvartana property. Meaning, it stays neutral when used with other ingredients and does not meddle with health benefits of coffee.

Best medium for brain tonics

Namaste!

What is the best medium to deliver herbs like Brahmi, Gotu Kola, Jatamansi to the brain and nerve cells? 
Answer by Dr JV Hebbar: 
Let us open the treatment section of Charaka Samhita – Explaining treatment for Psychiatric disorders  and Epilepsy 

You can see a lot of herbal ghees mentioned there. 
For example, for psychiatric disorders, Master Charaka advices 
Kalyanaka Ghrita 
Maha Kalyanaka Ghrita – Also used in infertility treatment and pregnancy care of the mother
Lashunadi Ghrita – contains garlic as main ingredient, and 
Maha Paishachika Ghrita

And for the management of epilepsy, master Charaka recommends 
Panchagavya Ghrita 
Hingu Saindhava Ghrita – Has Asafoetida and rock salt as main ingredients Maha Panchagavya Ghrita 
Vachadi ghrita – with sweet flag as main ingredient 
Brahmi Ghrita 
Madhukadi Ghrita – contains sweet flag 

Clear enough evidence that, to target brain functions, cow ghee / clarified butter is the best medium. It passes the blood brain barrier and delivers medicine principles to the brain effectively.  

So, if you are an Ayurveda practitioner, planning to administer, say, brahmi to target brain function, ghee is a very good medium. 
Either you can make herbal ghee with the brahmi or you can administer the Brahmi along with ghee, ask the client to make a paste and swallow it with lukewarm water. 

Why lukewarm water? 
Because, it is advised to take lukewarm water whenever ghee or oil is consumed, for better digestion and absorption of ghee. 

For Hemorrhoids

Ghee eases constipation and makes the fecal matter smooth and unctuous. This helps in easy elimination. A teaspoon of ghee especially at night is very good to use for people with piles.
Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 14/223 mentions that,
When there is bleeding hemorrhoids with severe pain and burning, ghee can be applied locally to reduce the bleeding and relieve burning sensation.
For this purpose, cold ghee or ghee in room temperature should only be used.

Vegan substitute of ghee

I am a vegan and still want to enjoy benefits of ghee. What should I take?
Answer by Dr JV Hebbar: 
Let us enlist the ghee qualities and actions. This is as per Master Charaka and Master Bhavamishra 

Rasayana – anti aging, Guru – heavy to digest
Swadu – sweet in taste, 
Chakshushya – improves eye health, Vahni Deepana – improves digestion strength 
Sheetaveerya – Coolant, Improves skin health, Ojas (immunity), Tejas, Lavanya – skin brightness, shine and softness, 
Buddhikrut – improves intelligence 
Improves voice quality, memory, 
Promotes intelligence and strength 
Useful to relieve 
Visha – Poison, 
Alakshmi – poverty 
Paapa – Sins, bad deeds 
Effect on Doshas – Balances Vata and Pitta. Can increase Kapha Dosha 

Master Charaka has enlisted that ghee, sesame oil, animal muscle fat and marrow as the four main sources for fats. 

As per this, if not ghee, we can consider Sesame oil. 
Sesame oil qualities are – 
Guru – slightly heavy to digest, nourishing 
Improves strength, skin health, promotes bowel movement, aphrodisiac, looses joints, brings clarity to channels (like blood vessels) and joints, sweet, astringent, bitter. 
It balances Vata and Kapha. 
Hot in potency, can increase Pitta Dosha. 
Improves digestion strength, intelligence, heals ulcer, useful in diabetes, good for skin, eyes etc. 

So, sesame oil has some matching qualities with ghee but it is hot. To counter this hotness and to make it more brain function improving, we can make an herbal oil of it with a coolant, brain function promoting herb – Brahmi (Bacopa monneiri) or Gotu Kola. 

Coolant Brahmi nullifies the hotness of sesame oil and adds in more brain function improvement benefits. 

How to blend sesame oil with brahmi? 
Take Sesame oil – 1000 ml 
Brahmi powder or fresh brahmi paste – 100 grams 
Water – 2000 ml 
Boil everything together till complete water evaporation. Filter. 
Watch an oil making video here. It will be very clear

Another option: 
Because coconut oil has very similar brain function improving effect, it is also a good contender, especially in hot climate places. 
Coconut oil has lauric acid, which crosses blood brain barrier. So, coconut oil also has brain function improvement effect. 
But it is highly coolant. To counter this effect, you can blend it with hot, brain function promoting herb – Jyotishmati – Celastrus paniculata. 
Other options for herbs are – 
Cumin seed – promotes digestion strength. 
Black pepper – has natural detoxifying effect. 

How to blend any of these herbs with coconut oil? 

Take Sesame oil – 1000 ml 
Any one of the herbs – 100 grams 
Water – 2000 ml 
Boil everything together till complete water evaporation. Filter. 
Watch another video of oil making

Can all these three herbs be used together?
That is a bit of a stretch. Remember we are trying to use it on a day to day basis. Hence, keeping it mild is a good idea. For the same reason, I have diluted the oil making formula on both the above occasions. Original herbal oil preparation formula is double stronger. 

Milk and ghee

क्षीरघृताभ्यासो रसायनानां – kṣīraghṛtābhyāso rasāyanānāṃ- declares Master Charaka – Charaka Sutrasthana, 25/40.
Daily intake of ghee and milk is best anti aging remedy – Best Rasayana.
For this practice to be made, one has to have good digestion strength – Agni. If one has good digestion strength, milk and ghee will nourish and rejuvenate all body tissues.
For this purpose, ghee and milk can be taken together or even separately.
Time to take:
For people seeking sound sleep, a cup of warm milk with ghee is good to take at night, before or after food.
For people seeking weight gain, it can be taken 2 – 3 times in a day.
People with nasal congestion, cold and cough with sputum may feel their symptoms worsening, if they take it at night. For them, this remedy can be taken in the afternoon, where Pitta is naturally high and will negate the cold effect of this remedy.
People with neurological disorders, joint disorders can take this remedy in the evening hours.

Ghee for concentration

a. Take a teaspoon of ghee and drink half a cup of lukewarm water, 20 minutes before your meditation session.
b. Apply a few drops of the ghee to the center part of your scalp. You can even apply a couple of drops of it over your forehead with gentle massage for 1 – 2 minutes.