What Is Bilona Ghee and Its Benefits? | How to use it?

If you ever have heard your grandparents talking about the how they made ghee using bilona process and the result is amazing, these ghee is golden in color, have good aroma and also have great health benefits.

Today, as more people is turning back to traditional foods for better health. Ghee become popular among youngester.

But what exactly is Bilona Ghee? How is it different from regular ghee? And why do so many nutritionists and Ayurveda experts talks about ghee? Let’s explore the Bilona Ghee,and its making, benefits, and why it deserves a place in your kitchen.

What Is Bilona Ghee?

Bilona Ghee is a type of clarified butter made using an ancient, labor-intensive process called the Bilona method. This method involves churning yogurt made from the milk of indigenous cows (like Gir, Sahiwal, or even buffalo) using a wooden churner called a bilona to extract butter, which is then slowly simmered to produce pure, aromatic ghee.

Unlike most commercial ghee, which is often made by directly heating cream or butter, Bilona Ghee follows a multi-step, traditional process that preserves nutrients and enhances flavor.

Bilona Method: How Is Bilona Ghee Made? Step-by-Step Process

Steps of Traditional Bilona method for making ghee:

Step 1: Sourcing High-Quality Milk: Only milk from indigenous Indian cows (rich in A2 protein) or buffalo is used for authenticity and nutrition.

Step 2: Boiling the Milk: The milk is boiled to remove impurities and then cooled to lukewarm temperature.

Step 3: Curdling the Milk: A spoonful of curd (starter culture) is added to the milk and left overnight to ferment, turning it into curd.

Step 4: Churning the Curd: The curd is churned using a wooden bilona in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions to separate the butter (makhan) from the buttermilk.

Step 5: Collecting and Washing Butter: The butter is collected and washed with cold water to remove residual buttermilk, improving purity and shelf life.

Step 6 : Slow Cooking the Butter: The butter is heated on a slow flame in a heavy-bottomed vessel until the water evaporates and milk solids separate, leaving behind pure ghee.

Step 7: Clarification and Straining: The ghee is skimmed and strained through muslin cloth to remove impurities, resulting in a golden, aromatic liquid.

Step 8: Cooling and Storing: The ghee is cooled at room temperature and stored in airtight containers to preserve its flavor and freshness.

Bilona Ghee vs. Regular Ghee: What’s the Difference?

here are the detailed view of bilona ghee vs regular ghee:

Feature	Bilona Ghee	Regular Ghee
Source	Indigenous cow/buffalo milk (A2)	Any cow or buffalo milk, often mixed breeds
Process	Curd is churned, butter is extracted, then slow-cooked	Cream or butter is directly heated
Churning	Wooden bilona, slow and manual	Industrial machines, fast
Fermentation	Yes, curdling step	Usually skipped
Nutrient Profile	Richer in bioavailable vitamins, CLA, A2 protein	May lose nutrients due to direct heating
Flavor & Aroma	Nutty, granular, aromatic	Can be flat or overly fatty
Shelf Life	Naturally preserved, longer-lasting	Varies, sometimes preservatives added
Tradition	Ancient, labor-intensive	Modern, mass-produced

Fact:
Bilona ghee retains more nutrients and bioactive compounds because of the fermentation and slow-cooking process.

Nutritional Profile of Bilona Ghee

Bilona Ghee is packed with healthy fats, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), antioxidants, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Here’s a quick look:

Nutrient	Amount (per 100g)*	Benefits
Calories	~900 kcal	Energy
Fat	~99.8g	Healthy saturated and unsaturated fats
Vitamin A	3069 IU	Eye health, immunity
Vitamin D	49 IU	Bone health
Vitamin E	2.8 mg	Antioxidant, skin health
Vitamin K2	8.6 mcg	Heart and bone health
CLA	0.5–1.0g	Anti-inflammatory, fat metabolism

*Values approximate; actual content varies by milk source and process.

Also Read: Daily drink black coffee with ghee, here are the benefits

Top 10 Benefits of Bilona Ghee

Now, let’s explore why adding Bilona ghee to your diet could be one of the best decisions for your health.

1. Rich in Essential Nutrients

Bilona ghee is a nutritional hub. It contains:

• Vitamins: A, D, E, K, B2, B6, B12, and C
• Minerals: Calcium, Iron, Potassium
• Healthy Fats: Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
• Butyric Acid: A short-chain fatty acid crucial for gut health

These nutrients are vital for everyday functions—vision, bone health, immunity, and more. Because these are fat-soluble vitamins, eating ghee helps your body absorb them better.

“A2 Bilona ghee is loaded with nutrients, essential fatty amino acids (Omega-3 and Omega-6), Butyric acid, vitamins (A2, E, and D), and minerals (Calcium, Iron, Potassium).”

2. Supports Digestive Health

If you struggle with bloating, indigestion, or gut issues, Bilona ghee could be your digestive ally. Here’s why:

• Stimulates Digestive Enzymes: Ghee encourages the secretion of stomach acids, making it easier to break down food and absorb nutrients.
• Butyric Acid: This compound nourishes the cells lining your gut, reduces inflammation, and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.
• Lactose & Casein-Free: The clarification process removes most lactose and casein, making it suitable for those with dairy sensitivities.

“Butyric acid which is a short-chain fatty acid nourishes the gut lining and smoothens the digestive tract.”

3. Boosts Immunity

Your immune system is your body’s defense army. Bilona ghee helps strengthen it by:

• Supplying Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are crucial for immune function.
• Antioxidant Properties: Ghee is rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Ayurvedic Benefits: Traditionally, ghee is used to balance the body’s doshas and promote overall wellness.

“Bilona cow ghee is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to boost the immune system and protect against illnesses.”

4. Promotes Heart Health

Contrary to the myth that all fats are bad, Bilona ghee contains healthy fats that support your heart:

• Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA): Known to reduce bad cholesterol and improve heart health.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Help lower inflammation and support cardiovascular function.

“Bilona cow ghee contains high levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is known to be beneficial for heart health.”

5. Aids in Weight Management

Yes, you read that right eating ghee can actually help you manage your weight! Here’s how:

• Medium-Chain Fatty Acids: These are quickly absorbed and converted into energy, not stored as fat.
• Boosts Metabolism: Ghee increases metabolic rate, helping your body burn stubborn fat.
• Satiety: Adding ghee to meals can make you feel fuller, reducing the urge to snack unnecessarily.

“Butyric acid in Bilona ghee supports digestion as well as the burning of resistant fat in the body by increasing metabolism.”

6. Enhances Brain Function

Your brain loves healthy fats. Bilona ghee is especially beneficial because:

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These support cognitive function, memory, and mental clarity.
• Ayurvedic Medhya Rasayana: In Ayurveda, ghee is considered a “medhya rasayana,” meaning it enhances intellect and brain power.

“The omega-3 fatty acids and other healthy fats in bilona ghee are beneficial for brain health, supporting cognitive function and memory.”

7. Improves Bone Strength

Strong bones need more than just calcium. Bilona ghee delivers:

• Vitamin K2: Essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
• Fat-Soluble Vitamins: These help in the development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth.

“Bilona ghee is a great source of vitamin K2, which helps in the absorption of calcium, thereby strengthening bones and teeth.”

8. Promotes Glowing Skin and Healthy Hair

Ghee isn’t just for eating it’s a natural beauty booster:

• Moisturizes Skin: Consuming and applying ghee keeps skin hydrated, soft, and supple.
• Reduces Signs of Aging: Antioxidants in ghee protect against wrinkles and fine lines.
• Improves Hair Texture: Regular consumption and topical application can reduce dryness and promote hair growth.

“The healthy fats and vitamins in bilona ghee moisturize and nourish the skin, promoting a healthy and glowing complexion.”

9. Helps Detoxify the Body

Ayurveda recommends ghee for internal cleansing:

• Removes Toxins: Ghee binds to lipid-soluble toxins and helps flush them out through the digestive tract.
• Balances Doshas: Especially effective in balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, promoting overall harmony.

“Consuming at least one teaspoon of A2 Bilona ghee along with your meals helps dissolve and eliminate toxins through your digestive tract.”

10. Enhances Flavor and Culinary Experience

Let’s not forget—Bilona ghee makes food taste amazing!

• Distinct Aroma and Flavor: The slow-cooking, traditional method gives Bilona ghee a nutty aroma and rich taste.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for sautéing, roasting, baking, or simply drizzling over hot rice or chapati.
• No Preservatives: Pure, unadulterated ghee means you get authentic flavor every time

11. Long Shelf Life and High Smoke Point

Bilona ghee can be stored for months without refrigeration and has a high smoke point (250°C), making it ideal for Indian cooking and deep frying.

Why Is Bilona Ghee More Expensive?

Bilona ghee is pricier than regular ghee for several reasons:

• Labor-Intensive Process: The traditional method is slow and requires skilled labor.
• Quality of Milk: Only A2 milk from indigenous breeds is used, which is costlier and produced in limited quantities.
• Lower Yield: It takes about 25–30 liters of milk to make just 1 liter of Bilona ghee.
• No Additives or Preservatives: Pure, natural product with no shortcuts.

How to Identify Authentic Bilona Ghee

With rising demand, many brands claim to sell “Bilona Ghee.” Here’s how to spot the real deal:

• Granular Texture: Authentic Bilona ghee has a grainy, slightly granular texture.
• Rich Aroma: It should have a nutty, caramel-like aroma.
• Golden Color: The color is deep yellow to golden, depending on the cow’s diet.
• Label Check: Look for “A2,” “Bilona method,” and “indigenous cow/buffalo milk” on the label.
• Transparency: Reputable brands share details about their sourcing and process.

Bilona Ghee in Ayurveda

Ayurveda considers Bilona ghee as sattvic (pure) and an essential part of a balanced diet. It’s used for:

• Cooking and as a topping
• Oil pulling (gandusha)
• Ayurvedic medicines and preparations
• Abhyanga (massage)
• Nasya (nasal drops)

Bilona ghee is believed to balance all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and is especially recommended for mental clarity, immunity, and longevity.

How to Use Bilona Ghee in Daily Life

• Cooking: Use for sautéing, frying, or as a finishing drizzle on dal, rice, and rotis.
• Baking: Substitute for butter in cakes and cookies for a rich flavor.
• Topping: Add a spoonful to khichdi, soups, or steamed veggies.
• Ayurvedic Rituals: Use in ghee lamps, massages, or as a carrier for herbal medicines.
• Skincare: Apply to dry skin, lips, or cracked heels for instant relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert Tips for Buying and Using Bilona Ghee

• Always check the source of milk and the process used.
• Buy from trusted brands or local farmers who use traditional methods.
• Use a clean, dry spoon every time to avoid contamination.
• A little goes a long way—start with 1–2 teaspoons per meal.

Final Thoughts

By choosing authentic Bilona Ghee, you’re not only treating your taste buds but also nourishing your body in the most traditional, holistic way possible. Whether you’re looking for better digestion, glowing skin, or simply the best flavor for your food, Bilona Ghee is a golden choice that stands the test of time.

So next time you reach for ghee, remember: not all ghees are created equal. Go Bilona for the purest, most authentic experience!