Basic principles of Ayurveda, the six tastes
According to Ayurveda, there are six tastes, each of which should be included in a
balanced diet.
Each of these six tastes have specific actions upon the three biological humours, or
doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). How much of each dosha our body produces depends largely
on how much of each taste we include in our food. Once ingested, tastes do not disappear
from the food after it has been digested, but continue to influence our physical and
emotional balance. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent (hot), bitter and
astringent. Each of the taste is made of a combination of two of the five
elements.
Sweet (Madhura)
The sweet taste is found in sugar and carbohydrates. It increases Kapha and decreases Vata
and Pitta. It is a cooling taste, which helps in building body tissues. In excess,
it builds toxins and causes obesity. It promotes a sense of contentment and is associated
with the emotion of love. It is made of the elements earth and water
Sour (Amla)
The sour taste is found in fermented food and acidic fruit. It increases Kapha and Pitta
and decreases Vatta. It is a heating taste, which counters thirst, helps maintain acidity
and improves appetite and digestion. In excess, it increases acidity. It is a stimulant
and is associated with the emotion of envy (sour grapes). It is made of the
elements earth and fire.
Salty (Lavan)
The salty taste is found in table salt and sea weed. It increases Kapha and Pitta and
decreases Vata. It is a slightly heating taste, which maintains proper metabolism, help
cleanse the body and improves appetite and digestion. In excess is causes looseness.
It is associated with the emotion of greed. It is made of the elements water
and fire
Pungent / Hot (Katu)
The hot taste is found in hot spices, like red pepper or ginger. It increases Pitta and Vata
and decreases Kapha. It is a heating taste, which improves metabolism, appetite and
digestion. In excess it causes burning and increases irritability and anger. It is
associated with the emotions of hatred. It is made of the elements air and
fire.
Bitter (Tikta)
The bitter taste is found in some herbs, like aloe vera or golden seal. It decreases Pitta
and Kapha and increases Vata. It is a cooling and drying taste, which tones the organs,
increases appetite and is detoxifying. In excess, it damages the heart and is
anti-aphrodisiac. It is associated with the emotion of grief and
disappointment
(a bitter pill). It is made of the elements air and water.
Astringent (Kashaya)
The astrigent taste is found in some herbs. Most green vegetables are also regarded as
astringent. It decreases Kapha and Pitta and increases Vata. It is a cooling taste, which
reduces secretions, particularly sweating. In excess, it causes dryness and thirst.
It is associated with the emotion of fear. It is made of the elements air
and earth.
In the West, we tend not to consume enough food with bitter, pungent and astringent
tastes, and to consume too much food with sweet and salty tastes, causing imbalance.
One should also emphasize some of the tastes and avoid others, according to
their own ayurvedic constitution (Prakriti).
The tastes should be eaten in the following order: First sweet, then
salty, then sour and pungent, and finally bitter and astringent.
For more information about Ayurveda see:
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