Optimizing Cow Ghee as a Natural Ointment Base: A Modern Approach to a Traditional Ingredient

Cow ghee, a pure and clarified form of animal fat derived from milk, holds a distinguished place in Ayurvedic medicine as a superior base for therapeutic formulations. Its unique ability to penetrate deep tissues, cross cellular membranes, and be readily absorbed makes it an ideal medium for delivering active components. Rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, cow ghee also possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, contributing to its long-standing use in treating a range of skin disorders.

In modern pharmaceutics, ointment bases—semisolid preparations applied to the skin or mucous membranes—are classified into four categories: hydrocarbon, absorption, water-removable, and water-soluble bases. This study explores the formulation and evaluation of ointment bases incorporating cow ghee in combination with selected conventional bases.

The findings illustrate that cow ghee–containing formulations are stable and exhibit favorable physicochemical characteristics. As a natural, cost-effective, and widely accessible substance, cow ghee offers significant promise as an alternative ointment base, particularly within Ayurvedic and integrative therapeutic systems.

Traditionally, ghee is valued not only for its purity but also for its longevity, attributable to the absence of water, lactose, and milk solids. Ayurveda recognizes that aged ghee—ideally five to ten years old—enhances medicinal potency and is used extensively in formulations intended to penetrate deeper bodily tissues. Its lipophilic nature closely aligns with the lipid composition of human cell membranes, facilitating efficient transport of therapeutic agents to targeted cellular levels.

Cow ghee’s multifaceted therapeutic properties make it particularly effective in managing blisters, inflammatory swellings, wounds, and burns, where rapid healing is essential. When combined with carefully selected conventional ointment bases, cow ghee enhances the functional profile of topical formulations and expands their applicability.

Given its widespread availability, affordability, and therapeutic versatility, cow ghee represents a compelling natural option for optimizing ointment bases in both traditional Ayurvedic practice and contemporary pharmaceutical development.

 Source: Cureus 15(3): e36556. DOI 10.7759/cureus.36556