3 Best Cooking Oils You Must Bring Back to Transform Your Health and Kitchen Naturally

3 Best Cooking Oils

Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you opened the bottle of till oil or mustard oil in your kitchen not for massage but for cooking?

We have come a long way from the kitchens of our grandmother.

Today, in the Indian kitchen, we often find olive oil from Italy, canola oil from Canada or some refined heart-healthy vegetable oil sitting on the shelf.

And our traditional till, mustard and groundnut oil are quietly gathering dust.

Today, I am going to talk about why you need to bring these oils back to your kitchen. But first, let’s find out why.

The Problem with Refined Oils

Most of these refined oils go through high heat processing, bleaching and deodorizing.

In fact, many refined oils contain trans fat even when the labels don’t mention that.

And we all know that trans fats are directly linked to heart disease, inflammations and even certain cancers.

Now compare that to cold pressed oils which retain most of their nutrients.

Why Did We Stop Using Traditional Oils?

When I was a child, most people didn’t have 10 different oils.

They just had 1 bottle, sometimes till, sometimes groundnut and sometimes mustard oil depending on the season and where they lived.

It wasn’t branded or refined. These oils were valued for their benefits.

Benefits of Till (Sesame) Oil

Let’s consider till oil or sesame oil or gingelly oil. This is one of the oldest oils and it is mentioned even in the Vedas.

It contains sesamol and sesame which reduces oxidative stress.

In Ayurveda, it is considered as Tridoshik but it is especially beneficial for calming Vata Dosh, the Dosh which causes anxiety, dryness and restlessness.

This is why it is the preferred oil of Abhyanga or daily self-massage practice for balancing the nervous system.

It is especially used in cold dry season.

It nourishes the skin and calms your nervous system and gives you better sleep.

Sesame oil is also used in oil pulling because it helps to reduce plaque, gingivitis and harmful bacteria in your mouth.

Just 5 minutes of switching this oil can have an impact on your oral as well as your gut health.

Benefits of Mustard Oil

This oil is sharp in taste and has warming quality.

Today’s studies show that when you use cold pressed mustard oil, it improves lipid profile in your body and reduces inflammation in your body.

One important thing is that you should always use cold pressed mustard oil.

It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and contains a powerful natural compound called ally isothiocyanate.

This compound is antimicrobial and helps in digestion, immunity and circulation.

This oil was used in traditional massage to relieve joint and muscle pain.

In cold climate, its warming nature helps you keep away seasonal stiffness.

In winter, grandmothers would heat mustard oil with garlic and ajwain and apply it to the chest of children to ease cold and cough.

🥜 Benefits of Groundnut Oil

Another traditional oil we should never forget is groundnut oil.

It was once a staple across many Indian states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra.

It has a mild nutty flavor that doesn’t overpower the food.

It is also stable at high temperature and perfect for Indian cooking for frying, sautéing and giving tadka.

This oil has a good mix of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

It balances energy ideal for daily use. It is neither too heaty like mustard nor heavy like ghee.

Unfortunately, this wholesome nourishing oil is now replaced by factory-made versions.

But we should remember that cold pressed groundnut oil gives us a balanced fat profile and it is naturally rich in Vitamin E.

It is good for your heart, your skin and your cells.

🏡 Traditional Wisdom of Oils

In olden times, these oils were not just ingredients. They were part of the larger rhythm.

They were used according to the season, region and intuition.

Till oil was for dry cold weather.

Mustard oil was for winter immunity and the groundnut oil was for daily balanced cooking.

Bringing Traditional Oils Back

So what can we do today? Firstly, bring back these 3 oils in your kitchen consciously.

Look for labels that say cold pressed or kachhi ghani because cold pressed oil retains natural aroma, taste and health benefits.

These oils are made by simply pressing the seeds without heat or chemicals, much like the traditional wooden pressed oil.

• Keep them in dark bottles.

• Secondly, try small changes.

• Start your day with oil pulling using sesame oil.

• Do a 5-minute abhyanga before your shower.

• Add tadka in groundnut oil instead of reaching for refined sunflower oil.

You will see the difference not just in taste but for energy, digestion and even the quality of your sleep.

And lastly, don’t be afraid to question trends. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it is good for you.

Our traditional oils worked for generations.

This is not just because of lab tests, it is because of experience. And now science is also supporting it.

Return to Health and Wisdom

Remember, Ahaar or diet is the first step for Arogya or good health.

What we eat becomes ourselves, our thoughts, our emotions.

So let’s return to these oils that aren’t just cooking oils. They are the carriers of health, traditional and seasonal wisdom.

When you return to till or mustard or groundnut oil, you are not just choosing better health.

You are practicing a slower, more thoughtful way of living.

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