Can we Detox and Nourish our Eyes with Ghee?

“Dear Vaidya Mishra, My sister was told by an ayurvedic vaidya in Europe that to help lubricate the eyes, before retiring at night, rub a small amount of ghee on the outside of the eyelids and also rub a little ghee clockwise over the navel to help the eyes. My husband I both tried that. Each morning we both woke feeling there was grit or sand in our eyes. This cleared after 10 minutes or so. Also, my husband experienced partially blurry vision due to the ghee application. It took about 2 hours for his vision to become clear again. My question is what causes the grittiness? Is it toxins being drawn out  by the ghee being absorbed into the eye during the night or is the ghee aggravating the eye and causing the dry, gritty feeling? Would coconut oil be as effective in helping the eyes or must it be ghee? How is ghee supposed to help the eyes? – Christine C.”

Dear Christine: Instead of just applying ghee, you should make Pitta Triphala ghee. Use Mum’s Ghee – as it is ligther because it is made form yoghurt instead of butter. Here’s how to do it: take 10 capsules of SVA High Pitta Triphala for 4oz of ghee. Warm the ghee until it gets to boiling point, add the content of the capsules. Remove from the fire and cover it. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Strain using a coffee filter, and store in an airtight container. Use this High Pitta Triphala ghee to apply around the eyes, on the eyelids, and on the temples – apply in a clockwise motion as if your temple had a clock. After applying let it sit for 5 minutes but then wipe it out before going to bed. You can make a batch and keep in airtight container for 10 days. No need to refrigerate. Grittiness in the eyes is caused by both toxins being released as well as the ghee application. In the SV tradition we do not recommend to apply only ghee. Ghee alone can pull out toxins but it can also clog the channels depending on many individual and environmental factors. Triphala, on the other hand, binds toxins and opens the channels. Triphala is known to be a great “dravya” for the eyes, for nurturing and detoxifying. My formulat for High Pitta Triphala contains rose which is very good for pitta pacification without blocking the channels. And the eyes are governed by alochak pitta, so anything soothing and cooling is additional support.
Ghee is in general good for the eyes because it is pitta vata pacifying, and nurtures the nerves, nurtures and detoxifies mildly, lubricates the channels. Do not use coconut oil as it will freeze and clog the channels particularly in cold weather so it is not recommended to use coconut for the eyes. Try the High Pitta Triphala ghee recipe and let me know how you like it!