The Healing Power of Ghee: What I Witnessed During My Ayurvedic Clinicals. Ayurvedic Benefits of Ghee

During my clinical therapies for my Master's in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, I witnessed something I’ll never forget.

I was working in a hospital in India, shadowing doctors during panchakarma treatments. We were treating a patient from Brazil who had partial vision loss and had been told by her doctors back home, she would never see again since she was diagnosed with optic nerve inflammation. The medical diagnosis didn’t offer much hope. But Ayurveda had a different approach: ghee.

Yes, ghee.

Day after day, I watched the treatment unfold. The therapy included Netra Tarpana, where warm medicated ghee is gently retained over the eyes in a dough ring made of black gram flour. Over a series of sessions, the patient began noticing changes, more clarity, better light perception, more life in their eyes. I remember the moment they could finally see shadows moving clearly. My heart stopped. I thought; how many people in the world have been told there’s nothing that can be done, when maybe… there is?

This wasn't magic. This was Ayurveda. This was the power of ghee.

Why Ghee? - Ayurvedic Benefits of Ghee

In Ayurveda, ghee isn’t just food, it’s medicine. It carries herbs deep into the tissues, nourishes the dhatus (body tissues), and supports ojas, the essence of immunity and vitality. But one of its most fascinating abilities is how it supports the nervous system, including the delicate structures of the eyes.

Ghee is considered anti-inflammatory, nervine, and rejuvenating. In the case of optic nerve inflammation, often related to excess pitta or vata, ghee pacifies that internal fire and soothes the nervous system.

Modern research backs up some of these claims. A 2010 study published in Ayurveda Research and Practice notes that ghee-based therapies can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in ocular tissues. Another 2015 study in Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge supports the use of medicated ghee (ghrita) for eye disorders and neuro-inflammation.

Ghee and Inflammation: A Deeper Look

Ayurvedic benefits of ghee: Chronic inflammation is at the root of so many modern health challenges such as joint stiffness, bloating, autoimmune responses, and, yes, even nerve degeneration. Ghee contains butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid known to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the gut and beyond. But Ayurveda knew this long before science caught up.

Ghee also nourishes majja dhatu, the tissue responsible for the nervous system and brain health. That’s why it’s often used in therapies for memory, clarity, and emotional balance.

In my own practice, I’ve seen clients’ skin glow, digestion improve, and sleep deepen when they begin incorporating small amounts of ghee into their diets, especially if they’ve been living with chronic inflammation for years.

How I Use Ghee Today

Whether I’m preparing herbal ghees in my wellness studio in Katy, TX, or guiding clients through gentle detox protocols, ghee is always there; quiet, golden, powerful. I’ve seen it soften more than just tissues. I’ve seen it soften lives. It actually reminds me that healing isn’t always loud. Sometimes it comes in the form of a spoonful of warmth, a daily ritual, a breath of calm. That’s the wisdom of Ayurveda.

Final Thoughts

If you’re navigating inflammation, nervous system fatigue, or just feel like your body is constantly "on fire," consider bringing ghee into your life. Of course, every body is different. So if you’re unsure, speak with your Ayurvedic practitioner or your integrative health provider.

And remember: what seems simple is often sacred. What seems ordinary, like ghee, may just be one of the most extraordinary tools on your path to balance.

Sources:

• Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge (Vol. 14, 2015)

• Ayurveda Research and Practice (Vol. 4, 2010)

• Sharma PV. Charaka Samhita

• Lad V. Textbook of Ayurveda