Tikta Ghrita is translated as “bitter ghee” and it is precisely this, ghee infused with the most powerful bitter herbs that Ayurveda has to offer. Due to the extreme bitterness of this medicine, Tikta Ghrita is mainly used for treating Pitta disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, rash, excessive heat in the blood, liver disorders, and inflammation of all kinds. It is an excellent tonic to take routinely during the hotter seasons to prevent common seasonal imbalances, or during detox programs to flush our toxins.
The main bitter herbs in Tikta Ghrita include Neem, Kutki, Kalmegha, Bhumyamalaki, Turmeric, Daruharidra, Karella (bitter melon), and Musta among many others. Although these herbs all have their unique actions, they do possess similar qualities such as being detoxifying, cooling (mostly), reducing (catabolic), anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and acting specifically on the liver and blood. Taking these bitter herbs infused into ghee increases their potency due to the synergy effect of the herbs as well as the catalytic effect the ghee provides by driving the herbs deeper into the tissues.
Tikta Ghrita is a traditional Ayurvedic formula that has been utilized for thousands of years. It is a vital part of any Ayurvedic cleanse during the “oiliation” phase, as it lubricates the internal body and pulls deep-rooted toxins from the tissues. Although Tikta Ghrita is used in larger doses for a cleanse, it can also be taken in smaller doses daily for the treatment of a variety of disorders or simply for the routine maintenance of the system. Tikta Ghita is often used for liver disorders, inflammatory conditions (e.g. arthritis, gastritis, colitis, etc), acne and other skin issues, toxic accumulation (especially in the liver and blood), excessive heat in the body, hormonal imbalance, and most Pitta disorders.
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Health Benefits of Tikta Ghrita
- Reduces heat in the system
- Treats most Pitta disorders
- Strengthens and cleanses the liver
- Treats most liver disorders (especially involving heat, inflammation, or toxins)
- Strengthens and cleanses the blood
- Useful in Ayurvedic cleanses such as Pancha Karma and Kitchari cleanses
- Detoxifies all tissues of the body
- Cleanses the GI tract
- Promotes healthy elimination
- Balances the hormones
- Balances the blood sugar
- Improves skin health and beautifies the complexion
- Useful in acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, burns, and other skin conditions (internal and external use)
- Reduces inflammation throughout the body
- Improves arthritic symptoms
- Aids in the healing of hemorrhoids
- Aids in the healing of skin sores and wounds
- Reduces Kapha dosha
How to Use Tikta Ghrita
1. For a cleanse or detox:
Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tikta Ghrita each morning on an empty stomach. Mix this in 1/2 cup of warm water, stir until fully melted, and then drink. Begin this at least 3-5 days before the cleanse, and then continue daily until the cleanse is over. After the cleanse, you can take 1 tsp of the Tikta Ghrita each morning for 7 days and then switch to a more rejuvenating medicine such as the Rasayana Ghrita (1 tsp, two times daily for 30 days post-cleanse).
2. For liver, blood, and skin health:
Take 1 tsp of Tikta Ghrita each morning on an empty stomach mixed and melted in 1/2 cup of warm water. Take this dosage again mid-day for more chronic disorders and imbalances.
3. For daily health maintenance and detoxification:
Take 1 tsp of Tikta Ghrita each morning on an empty stomach mixed and melted in 1/2 cup of warm water. Use consistently for best results.
**Tikta Ghrita can also be used externally to make a skin-clearing, anti-aging Triphala Face Mask. Click here for the full recipe!
4. External use:
For acute rashes, external hemorrhoids, and the treatment of skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, follow the recommendation in #2 while simultaneously using the Tikta Ghrita externally. To use externally, take a dime to a quarter-sized amount and apply to the affected area (make sure this area is clean) each night before bed. For more extreme conditions, reapply in the morning after bathing as well.
can we consume tikta ghrita daily ?
as i am suffering from mild hot flashes and acne on my back which is a mild one.so will the tikta ghrita work and give permanent results?
Hi Dhan! Thank you for your question. Tikta Ghrita will definitely be beneficial in both of these mild conditions you are currently experiencing, as they both stem from Pitta and too much heat in the liver. In both of these cases you can take it daily at 1/2 tsp melted in 1/2 cup of warm water each morning on an empty stomach. In more severe cases, you can even take this as 1 tsp daily. Of course if there are any other issues that need to be addressed through diet and lifestyle, this is will be needed to be done simultaneously to see the best results. For example, taking a Pitta reducing diet or reducing the stress load; although I cannot give any specific recommendations without hearing more information. Thanks again for your question. I hope this helps… Namaste, Danielle
thank you! Danielle for the response .i was suffering from mild acne from last 4 years.wasn’t knowing that those are due to excess pitta . but last year i had severe acne on my body n face.some how i cured it by virechana n other ayurvedic medicines but still facing with the mild one.as i m skinny so doctors won’t allow for virechana as it can cause weight loss.now i am consuming mahamanjisthadi kwath and turmeric . so plz tell me what changes i should do in my daily routine.kind of frustrated due to acne!!!!
I would like to know anything about Ayurveda medicines and treatment.
Yes. Really I am interested to know any other information about Ayurveda.
Hi SG,
Ayurvedic medicine is a very vast subject. We have tons of articles on the various herbs and their heath benefits. You can find these here. You can also find specific treatments for common disorders, and some simple at home Ayurvedic remedies throughout the blog as well. If you have any specific questions feel free to write us through our contact page and I will be happy to help!
Namaste,
Danielle
Hello Danielle ,
We are lucky to have so much information for free on your blog , I am thankful to you .
Please let me know if I can consume mahatiktaka gritha if I have borderline high cholesterol , as I have high pitta and wish to try this ghee
Thanks in advance
Hi Sean,
Thank you for the kind words! You can take small amounts of the mahatiktaka gritha (1/4-1/2 tsp daily), but I would avoid to take more than this until the cholesterol levels have been restored to normal. Taking a powdered formula with similar bitter herbs may be a better option otherwise. One extremely bitter and Pitta-reducing formula that will also reduce the Kapha (aka high cholesterol) is Mahasudarshana Churna. I would likely recommend this over the medicated ghee in your situation. Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Namaste,
Danielle
This is an amazing website and the products offer the best of Ayurveda. Thanks so much!
I just ordered the Rasayan and Tikta Gritas. I have been suffering from SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) for the last 5 years after heavy antibiotics use.
Do you think Tikta Grita would be sufficient is helping with that condition? I wasn’t sure if I should also get any of the parasite remedies.
Thanks much!
Hi Karan,
Thank you for writing in! Tikta Ghrita will be a great start to begin the healing for your gut flora. It will help to remove the unwanted bacteria and is very soothing for any inflammation in the small intestines that may be occurring due to the SIBO. I would also make sure to take plain, organic kefir or yogurt daily (homemade is best!), or drink lassi (not mango lassi!) after meals. This will help build the good bacteria as you remove the bad.
If this is not enough, you may have to look into the parasite tincture, basti (enema) or even the Mahasudarshana Churna. These are all very beneficial for killing off the unwanted bacteria as well.
I hope this helps! Please let me know if any questions come up! I am always happy to help:)
Namaste,
Danielle
Hello
When you say the dosage to Tikta Ghrita of 1tsp. Is this a melted 1tsp or at room temp. I find that depending on the weather the ghee can be quite dense or melted.
Thanks
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your question! I recommend measuring the tsp using the solid ghee and then adding it to the warm water to melt. This method will work very well. Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Namaste,
Danielle
dear mam,
im suffreing from very hot feeling on the skin. i became very thin after using black pepper and green tea to for long time . it reduced my body fat much. now i became extremely thin with severe pms. pls suggest.
Hi Indu,
Thank you for your question. It sounds like you are suffering from a Vata imbalance, low Ojas and hormonal imbalance with the low body weight. I would suggest following a Vata reducing diet that also focuses on increasing Ojas. I would not suggest the Tikta Ghrita, as this can be too bitter for Vata. I would instead suggest a more building medicated ghee such as the Rasayana Ghrita. This formula will help to reduce the Vata, increase the Ojas and balance the hormones (and therefore reduce PMS). Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Namaste,
Danielle
Thnq very much mam. Where can i get this ghritha and what’s the dose? Pls tell me.
i am suffering from Rashes red in colour since last one month on both legs below the knees but they are less itching. is it due to any allergy or blood impurity. I ate fish which i don’t eat normally before the rashes occured. What medicine do you suggest.
Hi Prakash,
Thank you for your question. It is hard to say the origin of the rashes without more information. It could be from an allergy, parasite, toxins in the blood stream and/or excessive heat in the liver. I would definitely avoid fish for now in case there was a correlation, but it could stem from other causes as well. I would try to keep the diet as healthy and simple as possible and take either the Mahasudarshana Churna and the Tikta Ghrita which are both very cooling and cleasning and specific for skin issues. You can also sip on CCF tea between meals which will also be beneficial. I wish you well!
Namaste,
Danielle
Hi Danielle,
Thanks for responding on this wonderful blog of yours. So very informative.
I have moderate Psoriasis and sometimes it aggrevates based on the climate and stress. My Dr recommended thikta gritam as enema at night. This has worked wonders for me and Psoriasis is in control now.
My question is having it daily as enema will it have any long term side effects..Also having it orally with warm water didn’t help much but enema really helps.
Hi Avishek,
Thank you for this great question. I am glad you have found benefit from using the bitter ghee as an enema for your skin condition. A couple common side effects to look out with this particular therapy will be:
1. Vata imbalance, as the bitter herbs may increase Vata in some individuals over time. Excessive enema use can also have a depleting, Vata-increasing effect if the colon becomes too clear.
2. Dependency for evacuation. If you suspect that you are not able to eliminate daily without the use of enema therapy, this is not desirable and can create constipation issues when you try to end the enema therapy.
If any issues arise (even if not listed here), I would contact your doctor in order to make the best decision on any modifications that are needed. I hope this helps!
Be well:)
Namaste,
Danielle
Dear Danielle,
My father has paralysis and he is on bed for an year.. The practitioner has prescribed this ghritam, I wish to know how it can help in paralysis patient rehabilitation.
Hi Ashutosh,
Thank you for writing in. I am sorry to hear about your father’s condition. I am not positive on the reasoning behind this ghee in the treatment of paralysis, as conventionally, a more nervous system based medicated ghee would be used such as the Majja Ghrita or Ashwagandha-Bala Ghee.
My best guess would be that there was an issue with Pitta, the liver, inflammation, or toxins that was affecting the nervous system and the Tikta Ghrita is helping to treat the paralysis indirectly in this way. This is simply speculation however. I would recommend to ask your doctor directly on his reasoning in order to find out a more accurate answer.
Many blessings to father on his healing journey!
Nasaste,
Danielle
hello how long we should take this medicine for itchings and spots appears
Hi Keerthana,
Thank you for your question! It really depends on the severity of the itching and spots to say how long you would need to apply the treatment. Generally speaking it could be as little as one month, but may need to be as long as 6 months.
I would recommend to apply the bitter ghee externally, as well as take it internally for the best results. Of course your diet and lifestyle habits may play a role in this issue, so these may need to be adjusted as well.
I hope this finds you well!
Namaste,
Danielle
Does it helps in sama pitta condition as well or it makes the condition worse?
Hi Jaideep,
Thank you for your great question!
In general, ghee should be avoided when there are indications of heavy toxins, even a cleansing medicated ghee such as Tikta Ghrita. However, if you are performing an Ayurvedic cleanse, then it could be beneficial during the pre-cleanse phase and into the cleanse itself. For this a larger dosage is taken in order to aid in the removal of toxins.
If the toxins are very mild, this ghee could still be beneficial for daily use. If the Sama Pitta (high Pitta with associated toxins) is more severe, I would recommend a lighter, cleansing, Pitta-reducing formula such as the Mahasudarshana Churna rather than the bitter ghee. You could then switch to the Tikta Ghrita once the toxins have been cleared slightly.
Be well:)
Namaste,
Danielle