Full Moon Ghee
Ghee is one of Ayurveda’s sacred tonics, considered to be tri-doshic and beneficial for building “Ojas” or our immune boosting vitality.
Ghee is a form of clarified butter with the milk solids removed. It is considered Tri-Doshic, meaning it is beneficial for all three dosha-types, though Kapha should enjoy it in moderation. Ghee is considered a powerful digestive - helping improve absorption and assimilation. It is also said to carry medicinal properties of herbs to the seven dhatus or tissues of the body. It is known to be Sattvic - encompassing the energy of clarity and light - and is often traditionally used in ritual and ceremony, in addition to cooking and medicine making.
Ghee boasts a wealth of health benefits including:
Contains a fatty acid called butyrate acid, which enhances digestion and supports gut health and reduces inflammation
It is a source of fat-soluble vitamins and can help boost your intake of Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin K which support vision and skin health.
It contains omega-3 and omega-9’s - essential fatty acids that our body cannot produce on its own. Benefits include the heart health, mental health, decrease liver fat and fight inflammation.
It’s good for people with casein and lactose sensitivities
Increases production of stomach acid which improves digestion process
Has a high smoke point making it ideal for cooking
How to make Ghee
You will need:
1 lb of organic, grass-fed butter (unsalted is the preference so you can control the sodium of your dishes)
Cheesecloth
Small metal strainer
Glass jar for ghee
Directions
In a medium pot, place sticks of butter and bring to a low boil.
Cook for 15-25 minutes. Stir occasionally. Eventually the milk solids will settle to the bottom of the pot and foam will rise to the top.
Using a spoon, scrape off the foam from the top of the pot. After 20-30 minutes your now ghee should have a golden-nutty brown color.
Place the cheese cloth in the metal strainer on top of your glass jar. Pour ghee through cheese cloth and strainer, leaving the milk solids behind.
What is left in the jar is Ayurveda’s liquid gold - ghee!
You can store your ghee at room temperature or in the fridge.
Cultivate a Full Moon Ritual with your Ghee
Ayurveda works in tandem with the forces in nature. It is believed that the best time to make ghee is during the waxing full moon which imbues the moon’s deeply nourishing essence of into the rejuvenate elixir. Making ghee on the full moon is a beautiful ritual to enhance the medicinal properties of the ghee.
You may wish to embellish your ritual with your own intention. You may also chant mantras during the entire process of making the ghee, thus infusing the essence of the mantras into your ghee. Lastly, you may place the ghee under the light of the full moon, with any other sacred items such as gemstones and deities to seal your ghee with potent subtle energy. Ultimately the ritual is yours to make your own, so allow it to be a creative process unfolding from what feels most authentic to you.