We conclude our journey of the six tastes, or shad rasa, with the astringent taste in Ayurveda. Astringent is comprised of the elements earth (prithvi) and air (vayu). Astringent increases Vata and decreases Pitta and Kapha doshas. The virya, or energy of the astringent taste, is cooling. The vipak or post-digestive effect of astringent is […]
The Pungent Taste in Ayurveda
As we continue our journey through the shad rasa (six tastes) in Ayurveda, we will explore the taste that garners either a love or hate reaction: pungent. The pungent taste in Ayurveda is comprised of the elements of air (vayu) and fire (agni). Pungent increases Vata and Pitta doshas and decreases Kapha dosha. The virya […]
The Bitter Taste in Ayurveda
The bitter taste in Ayurveda is known in Sanskrit as tikta rasa. It is one of the shad rasa or 6 tastes in Ayurveda. Bitter is comprised of the elements of air (vayu) and ether (akasha). The bitter taste in Ayurveda increases Vata dosha and decreases Pitta and Kapha doshas. In terms of virya or […]
The Salty Taste in Ayurveda
Ayurveda classifies foods by their rasa or initial taste on the tongue. There are six tastes in Ayurveda, known as shad rasa. They are: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. Salty taste is comprised of the water and fire elements. With regard to the doshas, the salty taste (lavana rasa) in Ayurveda decreases Vata […]
Sour Taste in Ayurveda
The amla rasa or sour taste in Ayurveda is one of the shad rasa or six tastes. Sour decreases Vata dosha and increases Pitta and Kapha doshas. Sour is comprised of the earth and fire elements. The sour taste in Ayurveda kindles the agni or the digestive fire by stimulating acid secretions and increasing circulation. […]
Sweet Taste in Ayurveda
One of the beautiful aspects of Ayurveda is the concept of shad rasa, or the six tastes. Ayurveda says that each food contains at least one of the six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. It is important for us to get all six tastes in our diet. Rasa is the first short-term […]