Megadosing Ghee

In part 2 of our series all about ghee, we discuss the topic of megadosing ghee, as is referenced in a few case studies for amazing health turnarounds. How much ghee? Up to 1 cup per day!

Eating this much ghee each day?!?

If you missed part 1, all about ghee, where we described what it is, it’s composition, and what it does according to Ayurveda and Western science, click here.

In looking at the research, I came across this very interesting case study from 1932 that I present in full. If you’re not familiar with the term, neurasthenia was an old term that basically meant nervous system burnout, as occurs with too much stress.

A CASE OF NEURASTHENIA APPARENTLY CURED BY A DIET OF GHEE [1] By R.K. Basu,, L.M.S. (Cal.)
Medical Officer, Dumraon Hospital, Dumraon

A Hindu Brahmin, a lawyer by profession, aged 70 years, noticed the onset of the following symptoms in July 1930.

Both his mental and physical vigour gradually deteriorated until he finally lost all interest in life, both in his work and pleasure.

His appetite was poor and he suffered from obstinate constipation, but apart from these symptoms no physical cause for his condition could be discovered in spite of examination by numerous doctors.

As he was not improving he finally consented, on the advice of friends, to consult a Kaviraj practitioner in Calcutta. The patient did not go to see the practitioner but sent a detailed written history of his case and after study of this a small white powder was prescribed which had to be mixed with two drops of good ghee and taken every morning. In addition the patient was ordered to take at least one ounce of good ghee with rice both morning and night, and was told that all his vegetable curries must also be prepared with ghee.

These instructions were closely followed and this patient gradually increased the amount of ghee until he was taking about two ounces with each meal by the end of a fortnight. He now began to feel distinctly better and within two months he had gained ten pounds in weight and felt normal in every way.

Later, the amount of ghee was further increased until he was eating and enjoying three to four ounces with each meal. When I saw him nearly two years afterwards he was vigorous both mentally and physically and apparently completely restored to health.

This man was a highly emotional individual and I am of the opinion that mental disturbances had an effect on his endocrine system in some way, which upset his metabolism and the diet of ghee apparently restored this upset balance.

This case is of considerable interest in that it shows how important a part diet may play in effecting a cure. This is an aspect often ignored by some allopathic physicians who are inclined to rely too much on drugs alone.

In India the question of obtaining a diet sufficiently rich in vitamins is of extreme importance and I feel sure that great improvement in the general well-being of the people would be brought about if doctors were to pay more heed to diet and to learn which easily available articles of food contained the needed accessory factors.

Now, we don’t know what the white powder prescribed was. That likely played some role. Regardless, megadosing ghee was the mainstay of this man’s program. And remember – he was 70 years old at the time!

Most people would look at this and think that’s way too much ghee. But there is power in using more of certain things that many are willing to.

In many ways this is similar to another case study shared in The Way of Ayurveda.

“I (Khalsa) remember a client of mine, an extreme pitta (“fire”) type, who, at age fifty, the prime of high pitta midlife, was a walking ball of inflammation from accumulated past athletic injuries. Every joint, every muscle was sore. He undertook to use ghee to treat his condition. After working up to one cup (!) of ghee per day, his inflammation was completely under control. Much to my surprise, he gained not one pound, and his cholesterol went down, not up. Same for triglycerides.” [2]

One cup of ghee per day!

Remember in the previous article, where we said that ghee was tri-doshic, but most especially good for pittas then vatas. It sounded like the first person was of the vata dosha. And this second case study was about pitta.

If you’re either of these, and have some health issues of this sort, then megadosing ghee might be a great thing to try!

However, it would not be recommended to do this as a kapha.

If you do try megadosing ghee, please be sure to share your results in the comments below (whether good or bad).

In our next article in this series, we’ll be covering how to make ghee at home. It’s quite easy to do…and from there we’ll get into the combination of ghee and herbs.

References:

1. K. Basu, L.M.S. (Cal.) A Case of Neurasthenia Apparently Cured by a Diet of Ghee. Ind Med Gaz. 1933 Apr; 68(4): 213–214.
2. Khalsa, K. P., & Tierra, M. (2010). The way of ayurvedic herbs: the most complete guide to natural healing and health with traditional ayurvedic herbalism. Delhi: Motila Banarsidass

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Logan Christopher

Logan Christopher has been called the Physical Culture Renaissance Man for his many wide-ranging feats of strength. His interest in herbalism, hormones and health began with seeking peak performance mentally and physically.

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