Salila Sukumaran explains why North Indians switched from ghee to mustard oil over a thousand years ago during invasions and famines. Ayurveda credits it with fighting skin infections, reducing inflammation, and improving sleep.
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Have you wondered why the north of India uses mustard oil in their daily cooking? Everywhere you see mustard oil being used today, swap that out with ghee 1,000 years ago. The north has been impoverished for over 1,000 years through invasions, occupation, and famines, and our ancestors had to come up with a clever substitute. The humble hero who came to the rescue was mustard oil. There's a saying, ghee jale toh tel barabar, tel jale toh ghee barabar. Mustard oil has a ton of benefits, but the ones that stand out to me are kushthagani, shofahari, Kari, meaning fights skin infections, reduces inflammation, and promotes good sleep. Weren't our ancestors amazing? Even in the most extreme circumstances, they were not thinking health for a few or privileged. They were thinking good health for all.