Hour 62 Ayurveda – Tastes & Health IV
Shad Rasa – Part 4
1. Sweet Taste (Madhura Rasa)
- Examples: Milk, ghee, rice, corn, wheat, green gram, barley, sweet fruits, peanuts, coconut, walnuts, jackfruit, chiraunji.
- General Effect: Increases Kapha Dosha.
- Exceptions:
- Old rice, old barley, green gram, wheat, and honey are sweet but do not increase Kapha Dosha.
2. Sour Taste (Amla Rasa)
- Examples: Tamarind, lemon, grapes, pomegranate, Indian gooseberry (Amla), raw mango, curd.
- General Effect: Increases heat in the body.
- Exceptions:
- Pomegranate and Indian gooseberry are cooling in nature and do not increase body heat.
3. Salty Taste (Lavana Rasa)
- Examples: Rock salt (Saindhava Lavana), common table salt, black salt.
- Special Mention:
- Rock salt (Saindhava Lavana):
- Superior among salts.
- Enhances taste perception, aids digestion, is sweet, aphrodisiac, relieves constipation, improves vision.
- Does not cause burning sensation and is widely used in cooking and therapeutic purposes.
- Rock salt (Saindhava Lavana):
4. Bitter Taste (Tikta Rasa)
- Examples: Bitter gourd, eggplant, coriander, curry leaves, vettiver khus grass, neem, sandalwood, Adathoda vasica, giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), turmeric, cocoa, almond oil, olive oil.
- Special Mention:
- Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia or Amrita):
- Balances all three Doshas.
- Does not deplete Dhatus (tissues).
- Acts as nectar for the body, removes toxins, and restores balance.
- Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia or Amrita):
5. Pungent Taste (Katu Rasa)
- Examples: Cinnamon, clove, chili, ginger, asafoetida, pepper, cumin, turmeric.
- Exceptions:
- Long pepper, dry ginger, and garlic:
- Do not aggravate Pitta Dosha as other pungent substances do.
- Increase Agni (digestive fire) without causing significant imbalance to Pitta.
- Long pepper, dry ginger, and garlic:
6. Astringent Taste (Kashaya Rasa)
- Examples: Honey, buttermilk, green tea, dates, nutmeg, horse gram, apple, Terminalia chebula (Haritaki).
- Special Mention:
- Terminalia chebula (Haritaki):
- Despite being astringent, it has a laxative property.
- Promotes easy evacuation of stools and does not cause constipation.
- Terminalia chebula (Haritaki):
| RASA | FOOD |
| Madhura ( Sweet ) | Rice, wheatFruits: Mango, banana, dates, figs,jack fruit, chiraunjiVegetables: Sweet potatoes, beets, carrotsDairy: Milk, butter, ghee, creamSweeteners: Honey, sugar, jaggeryNuts: Almonds, cashewsLegumes: Mung beans, chickpeas Oils: Coconut oil, sesame oil |
| Amla ( Sour) | Citrus Fruits: Lemon, lime, oranges, grapefruitFermented Foods: Yogurt, buttermilk, sourdough breadPickles: Indian pickles, sauerkraut, kimchiVinegar: Apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegarTomatoesTamarind Fermented soy products: Tofu |
| Lavana ( Salt ) | Salt: Sea salt, rock salt, Himalayan pink saltSeaweed: Nori, kelpProcessed Foods: Chips, crackers, salted nutsPickles: Salt-based picklesSoy sauce, tamari Cheeses: Feta, blue cheese, salted cheese |
| Katu ( Pungent ) | Spices: Black pepper, ginger, garlic, mustard, chiliesOnions, radishesMustard greens, kaleHerbs: Basil, oregano, thyme, cilantroCabbage Oils: Mustard oil, sesame oil |
| Tikta ( Bitter ) | Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, dandelion greens, bitter gourd Herbs: Neem, turmeric, fenugreek, Aloe VeraGreen tea, coffeeCacao nutZucchini, eggplantArtichokeCranberries, olives |
| Kashaya ( Astringent ) | Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, kidney beansVegetables: Unripe bananas, pomegranate, raw plantains, green beansTea: Black tea, green tea Apples, pearsTurmeric, bay leafHerbs: Witch hazel, hibiscus |
Therapeutic Use of Tastes in Ayurveda
- Each taste increases a specific Dosha and pacifies others.
- In cases of dual Dosha imbalance, herbs or substances with exceptional properties are used, such as:
- Old grains, green gram, pomegranate, rock salt, Indian gooseberry (Amla), etc.
- These are safe for maintaining Dosha balance without causing harm.
Conclusion
Understanding the Rasa of commonly used substances and their effects on Doshas enables informed dietary and therapeutic choices. Each taste has unique properties, and the exceptions play a crucial role in balancing Doshas.