• Ghee lubricates the nose and improves voice/mental clarity. The nose is the door to the brain, nose drops nourish prana and intelligence Vata.
• How ghee benefits our nose and builds immunity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left us flooded with various health advice for boosting immunity and maintaining health. Amongst this advice, an important instruction by Ayurveda scholars that “an application of warm ghee in each nostril lubricates the nasal passage, enhancing intellect and immunity.” 

In this context, I would like to explore the scientific background of how Ghee benefits our nose and builds immunity.

The nose is the first part of the human respiratory system. It is our important sense organ that acknowledges smells and assists in our vital function of breathing.

The structure of the respiratory system can be easily understood by dividing it into two parts -

1. The upper respiratory system starts from the nose, continues with the pharynx (the common pathway of air and food) and the larynx (the voice box).

“NASA hi shirso dvaram” means that the ‘nose is the main gateway towards the head.” Through this pathway, we can approach the sense organs, the brain and their functions and enhance their wellness.

The nose is also one of the important medium in the treatment of those diseases which are located mainly above shoulder level.

2. The lower respiratory system starts from the trachea (the wind pipe, which is centrally located below the voice box), behind the chest bone. It is divided into two parts, called the bronchi (singular form: bronchus), connecting, respectively, the right and the left side of the lungs. 

Further, the bronchus can be subdivided into its terminal bronchiole, which finally ends in the alveoli. We can simply compare the alveoli to an air-filled sack of a balloon-like structure.

The lungs are basically nothing but a bunch of these millions and trillions of alveoli, which are surrounded by blood capillaries for the respiratory process.

The function of the respiratory system can be easily understood in respect to the above divisions.

The function of the upper respiratory system is mainly related to breathing, in which an exchange of oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) happens between the nose and the external atmosphere.

It is important to note, here, that the internal structure of the nose contains small hairs and a mucous lining, which traps and prevents foreign particles and toxins from entering into the further respiratory tract. The mucous membrane plays an important role in maintaining the body’s temperature balance by means of secretion. 

Therefore, it is important for every person to maintain a healthy state of the nose and Ghee plays an important role in the nose’s lubrication.

In contrast, the lower respiratory system’s function is mainly related to respiration, a process during which an exchange of oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) happens between the alveoli and the surrounding blood capillaries inside the lung.

The lungs have a large overall capacity of inhaling about 6-7 liters of oxygen and exhaling approximately the equal amount the carbon dioxide by maintaining constant amount of air within lungs. Due to the presence of this residual air, our lungs remain inflated and do not collapse.

Unfortunately, we are unable to use our complete lung capacity, due to many obstructions on the pathways of gas exchange and also due to ignorance towards our health.

Ayurveda believes in preventing diseases and for the maintenance of health it advises including Ghee (clarified butter) in the diet, which can remove various kinds of obstructions. It has also been recommended in Ayurvedic scriptures as a medicine for treating multiple diseases.

In summary, Ghee is strongly recommended, by Ayurveda, both as an essential part of the diet and as a medicine. Ghee is the integral part of Indian food and has been considered as partaking a divine quality.

The story of its origin dates back many thousands of years and is related the tradition of King Prajapati, who rubbed his both palms together and produced Ghee to light the flames during rituals as an offering to God.

Since then, Ghee has become part of most auspicious Hindu rituals, like marriage or Havan. Scientifically, it disinfects the environment by killing pollutants and dispelling negative energy.

How ghee benefits our health

Now, let us understand the qualities of Ghee (clarified butter) and which benefits it brings specifically for the maintenance of the health of the complete respiratory track, thus supporting its optimum functioning and enhancing both immunity and intellect.

1. Ghee is rich in vitamins A, E, and Omega-3 fatty acids, which facilitates absorption directly inside the nasal mucosa and also in the liver. 

2. Ghee has butyric acid, which supports the production of T-cells in the gut, thus helping in attaining and maintaining a healthy immune system. 

3. Ghee has conjugated linoleic acid, which, as an effect, creates positive feelings through the secretion of anandamide and constructive hormones, enhancing intellectual health.

4. Ghee also has antioxidant and antiviral properties, which prevent infections from entering into the circulatory system from the environment.

5. Ghee enhances the lubrication of the nasal mucosa and reduces both Vata Dosha and Pitta Dosha. It supports maintaining the function of cooling the body’s temperature and the PH-value of the internal mucosal lining.

6. Ghee is also recommended during a woman’s prenatal, natal, and postnatal period of time. It is to be included in various forms in month wise die plan .Ghee is mixed together with other foods item and green vegetables including folic acid, which can be very useful in preventing neural tube defects in the child.

7. Ghee is very useful for those who suffer from paralytic stroke. It enhances nerve culture in the brain. 

How is Ghee applied in the nose?

Ayurveda recommends applying ghee inside the nostrils through “Nasya” therapy.

Nasya is one of the important Panchakarmas, which aims to reduce toxins inside the nose, in view of maintaining sense organs’ and subtle neuroendocrine channels’ full health. Of course, this therapy is recommended only under expert supervision.

In the procedure of Nasya, it is advised to administer Ghee in the nostrils on an empty stomach, approx one hour before having a shower or engaging in physical activities.

Posture - A supine position should be chosen, in which the head should be tilted back comfortably, with proper support.

Quantity of Ghee - Apply 4 to 5 drops of Ghee in each nostril, followed by sniffing deeply and staying in the same posture for some time. This gives the tissues time to absorb the Ghee from inside the pathways.

Given next, are also some popular Ayurveda preparations of Ghee. They are advised for oral intake with warm water in the dose recommended by an Ayurvedacharya:

= Shatavari Ghrit=Triphala Ghrit =Panchgavya Ghrit= Shatdhaut Ghrit. 

Lastly, it is important to note that the Ghee should have been taken from the milk of grass-fed cows (Geer cow is a specific breed), only.

Ghee is only then an Indian superfood, if it has been taken wisely, in an adequate quantity, and under responsible guidance.

The nose is the door to the brain, nose drops nourish prana and intelligence.

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Author website is www.drnutan.com and to know more about her. She is an Ayurveda and Yoga consultant, based out of Mumbai.  Currently, she is working as a medical consultant with one of the oldest yoga institutes in India - Kaivalyadhama. She also conducts online course on Prenatal, Postnatal Yoga and Garbha Sanskar training.  

Also read

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