Ayurvedic Experts Reveal Why Ghee is a Must-Have This Summer

As temperatures rise, many naturally shift to eating lighter meals and higher-carb foods instead of fats. Ayurvedic experts contend that ghee should still play a role in your diet during these months. We often think of ghee as being primarily used for rich winter food, but there are plenty of benefits that carry over into the summer. Here are some reasons why Ayurveda considers ghee a superfood in every season, especially when it is hot!

Ghee in Ayurveda: A Superfood for all time

In Ayurveda, ghee is one of the most sacred and healing foods. Also known as clarified butter, it is embraced as a highly nourishing, grounding, and sattvic (pure) food. Ghee is known as an anupan, or carrier, indicating that it helps carry the medicinal qualities of herbs deep into your tissues.

Additionally, ghee is balancing for Pitta - that fiery energy that seems to be ramped up more in the summer. Its cooling, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for the heightened energy of summer.

Cooling Properties of Ghee in the Summer Months

Summer is the time of Pitta, or hot, sharp, and intense. When Pitta becomes aggravated, it manifests in the body as acidity, skin rashes, irritability, and inflammation, all due to the heat. Ghee offers natural cooling and anti-inflammatory properties to help rebalance the internal process. Ayurveda practitioners always recommend using small amounts of ghee with your summer meals to calm the internal heat and prevent heat-related imbalances. It functions as an extra layer of protection on your digestive system from internal heat, keeping your mind and body calm and clear. 

Ghee for Digestive Health and Energy. 

In the summer, your digestion may be a little volatile, as extreme heat can diminish the body's innate agni (digestive fire). Many of us can find ourselves catching a little bloating, fatigue, or a little bit of an appetite loss during the summer months. Ghee helps to enhance digestion while offering a slow release of energy gently. Unlike heavier oils or butter, which can slow down digestion, ghee helps to enhance digestion! You will be amazed at how one small spoonful of ghee can enhance your digestion!

Ghee for Skin and Moisturization Benefits

Often, the summer months leave us dehydrated, with dry skin and sensitivity to the sun's rays. Ghee is one of the best ways to moisturise and hydrate yourself from the inside out. Its buttery richness works not only to keep your cells hydrated but also to enhance the feel and elasticity of your skin.

Ayurvedic practitioners will frequently recommend ghee for skin conditions that arise from an overabundant amount of heat. Ghee can even be applied topically, too, as a balm for sunburn or a soothing ingredient in a face mask. Ghee does help to keep your skin fresh and nourished from the inside out. 

How To Use Ghee In The Summer

When using ghee as we come into warmer weather, moderation is very important. One to two teaspoons a day is plenty to feel its benefits and not be burdened. There are plenty of simple ways to include ghee in your summer routine: 

• Mix a teaspoon into warm water between meals each day for an easy, gentle detox. 

• Use a drizzle over rice, lentils, or khichdi for flavour enhancement as well as digestive benefits. 

• Swap vegetable oil or butter for ghee in light cooking. 

• Mix it with cooling herbs and spices like fennel, coriander, or mint for added benefits. 

Ghee is a wonderful addition to your diet, but as with any dietary fat, it should be high quality. Look for organic, grass-fed, or traditionally made ghee without additives or preservatives. Always consider portion sizes, especially if you are cold or Kapha dominant, have oily skin, or have a tendency towards sluggish digestion. 

Always, where there is a consistent imbalance or chronic issues, refer to a certified Ayurvedic practitioner for advice specific to you.

Conclusion

Ghee is traditionally thought of as a winter food, but it is also a heating food and can be a beneficial elixir in summer. From being an anti-inflammatory to being helpful for digestion and hydration, it is a wonderful food to leverage your health year-round. Incorporating ghee mindfully into your diet is a way to connect your food with the millennial traditions of Ayurveda, one spoonful at a time.

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