Your Guide to Herbal Ghees: What They Are and How to Use Them

Ghee is most commonly known as a cooking ingredient—a healthy alternative to butter and oil that has a creamy texture and a buttery taste. However, the use and benefits of ghee extend far beyond the kitchen, and herbal ghees in particular have a long history of use in Ayurvedic herbalism.

We are honored to partner with renowned Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc., to bring you an entire line of Sidha Soma Supreme herbal ghees. This guide is intended to familiarize you with the benefits and uses of these unique formulas so that you can use them to deepen your journey with Ayurveda and support your optimal health.

In this article:

• What Are Herbal Ghees?
• The SSS Herbal Ghee Line
• How to Use Herbal Ghees
• Is Herbal Ghee Right for Me?
• The Ultimate Nourishment

What Are Herbal Ghees?

At the most basic level, herbal ghees are exactly what they sound like—a combination of ghee and herbs. But they are also so much more than this!

The use of ghee in Ayurveda is rooted in the practices of traditional herbalism, in which herbs were commonly prescribed along with a carrier substance, or anupan. An anupan is a substance that is either mixed with or taken alongside an herb or herbal formula with the intention of serving as a delivery method for the herbs.

While anupans are completely optional, Ayurveda believes these carrier substances have the ability to transport herbs deeper into specific channels or tissues of the body for a specific desired effect.

Thanks to its nourishing and penetrating qualities, as well as its sattvic nature, ghee is a favorite anupan in traditional Ayurveda.

In fact, ghee goes one step further than an anupan and is also considered a yogavahi in Ayurveda. A yogavahi is a substance that acts as a catalytic carrier, enhancing the potency and effectiveness of the herbs it is combined with. It not only carries the herbal properties into the body, but also amplifies the health benefits of the herbs it's combined with.

When infused with herbs, ghee provides enhanced support for the specific intended effect of the botanicals. In addition, ghee is a prized carrier substance because it is gentle, nourishing, and easy to digest.

How Are Herbal Ghees Made?

Sidha Soma Supreme herbal ghees are made in a way that draws inspiration from the traditional Ayurvedic method of preparing herbal ghees, known as siddha ghrita, with “ghrita” meaning ghee and “siddha” meaning something that has been infused or perfected.

Following a carefully designed production process adapted to enhance efficiency and reduce resource consumption, a specific ratio of cultured ghee, water, and herbs are first mixed into an urn and heated to melt the ghee into a fragrant herbal solution. The mixture is then stirred in regular intervals as it simmers, until the temperature reaches 230°F.

This process ensures that all the water evaporates and only the ghee and rich essence of the herbs remain, resulting in a potent herbal ghee infused with botanical benefits.

The Sidha Soma Supreme Herbal Ghee Line

Inspired by traditional formulas, the Sidha Soma Supreme herbal ghee line includes six unique ghees brought to life by Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad, BAM&S, MASc., all of which have been used in his practice for years.

The herbs that have been infused into each of these blends contribute to a comprehensive product offering, with a specialized ghee ready to meet your unique intentions and needs.

• Brain Boost Ghee: Combining the benefits of adaptogenic and nootropic herbs gotu kola and ashwagandha with ghee, Brain Boost works to support a calm mind and a healthy brain and nervous system.*
• Immune Defense Ghee: Kalmegh and pippali team up in Immune Defense to maintain a healthy immune system and healthy respiratory function throughout the seasons.*
• Liver Detox Ghee: Inspired by traditional tikta ghrita, Liver Detox is infused with bitter herbs, including neem, manjistha, and kalmegh, to cleanse and support a healthy liver.*
• Triphala Ghee: By blending triphala and ghee, Triphala Ghee provides a gentler and more nourishing way to get all the benefits of other forms of triphala, including healthy digestion, regular elimination, and healthy gut flora.*
• Vital Nourish Ghee: Vital Nourish is essentially shatavari ghee. When infused in ghee, this beloved rejuvenating tonic herb supports overall energy, vitality, and a healthy female reproductive system while providing an extra boost of nourishment.*
• Vital Strength Ghee: With ashwagandha, mucuna, and other grounding herbs, Vital Strength benefits overall stamina and vitality while supporting the body's ability to adapt to stress.*

How to Use Herbal Ghees

For many, the use of herbal ghees may be unfamiliar and take some getting used to. Unlike Turmeric Ghee and Chai Spiced Ghee, which are intended to be used in the kitchen to enhance the culinary experience, the Sidha Soma herbal ghees are intended to be used in a more therapeutic way, as you would any other herbal supplement.

It is worth mentioning that these ghees are not formulated for their taste, as much as they are formulated to address a particular health focus. It is best to think of these as herbal supplements, and prepare yourself to appreciate and receive their benefits even if the experience of taking them can be less than delicious!

For best results, take one teaspoon of melted Ayurvedic ghee daily on an empty stomach, and immediately follow with warm water. Or, if you are working with a practitioner, follow the recommendations that they give you.

Is Herbal Ghee Right for Me?

As you peruse Banyan's product offerings, you may notice that some of the herbs featured in our herbal ghees are also offered in other forms, whether tablets, powder, or liquid extracts. So how do you know which is best for you?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your dosha, your lifestyle, and your intended outcome. We hope that the following product information serves as a guide as you consider whether herbal ghees are right for you.

Brain Boost

• Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, gotu kola
• Dosha effect: Balancing for pitta
• Main benefit: Supports healthy cognition while also nourishing the brain and nervous system*
• Pairs well with: Mental Clarity tablets or Focus liquid extract
• Notes: In addition to supporting healthy cognition, this herbal ghee can nurture a calm mind and restful sleep.

Immune Defense

• Key ingredients: Kalmegh, pippali
• Dosha effect: Balancing for pitta and kapha
• Main benefit: Regular use helps maintain healthy immune and respiratory function*
• Pairs well with: Chyavanprash
• Notes: Ghee is contraindicated when you are ill or experiencing a high amount of ama. If you are currently experiencing an acute situation, Immune Strong tablets or Immune Health NOW would be a more appropriate choice.

Liver Detox

• Key ingredients: Kalmegh, neem
• Dosha effect: Balancing for pitta and kapha
• Main benefit: Helps to cleanse and support the liver in a gentle and nourishing way*
• Pairs well with: Total Body Cleanse, Liver Formula
• Notes: The blend of bitter herbs in this formula give this herbal ghee a strong taste, but the benefits are worth it!

Triphala Ghee

• Key ingredients: Amla, haritaki, bibhitaki
• Dosha effect: Balancing for all doshas
• Main benefit: Supports healthy digestion, elimination, and natural internal cleansing*
• Pairs well with: Happy Tummy, CCF Tea
• Notes: Triphala Ghee provides all of the benefits of triphala in a way that is gentle, nourishing, and easy to digest. It is an excellent choice if you find Triphala tablets or powder too strong, or difficult to take.

Vital Nourish

• Key ingredient: Shatavari
• Dosha effect: Balancing for all doshas
• Main benefit: Nourishing tonic for the female reproductive system*
• Pairs well with: Shakti Prana, Women's Support
• Notes: Vital Nourish provides all the benefits of shatavari in a way that is especially nourishing and easy to digest. It is an excellent choice for someone with low ojas or depletion who is wanting an extra boost of nourishment.

Vital Strength Ghee

• Key ingredients: Ashwagandha, mucuna
• Dosha effect: Balancing for all doshas
• Main benefit: Supports energy and vitality in a well-rounded, nourishing, and easy to digest form*
• Pairs well with: Everyday Endurance, Shilajit
• Notes: Excellent choice if you are seeking the benefits of ashwagandha, plus even more nourishing support. 

The Ultimate Nourishment

In Ayurveda, ghee is considered one of the most pure and nourishing substances available, and it is treasured for its nurturing golden spirit. Herbal ghees bring these qualities to the body, offering one of the most deeply replenishing ways to take your herbs.

Herbal ghees are an excellent choice especially when you are feeling the need for extra nourishment and gentleness in your life.

That said, the most important thing when choosing your herbal supplements is to trust the path—and product!—that works best for you and your lifestyle. Ultimately, there is no wrong choice.

Working with an Ayurvedic practitioner is an excellent way to receive support and guidance along the way. Regardless, we encourage you to tune into your inner guidance and trust your intuition around which herbal formula is right for you, right now.