Ayurveda is considered to be a full meal, in which there are all six tastes. Taste – is the most important quality of the food, which has a direct influence on the doshas, ​​acting through the nervous system to Prana. That is why Ayurvedic treatment is always carried out six basic tastes, which are selected according to the constitution of man.

 

Each of the six flavors created out of five elements:

Sweet: earth + water

Sour: Earth + Fire

Salty Water + Fire

Acute: fire + air

Bitter: ether + air

Astringent: land + air

Due to the fact that the fire and the air – light elements, tastes, containing them, heat the upper part of the body, gives a sense of lightness. Tastes, which are components of land and water (heavy elements), warm the lower part of the body, creating a feeling of heaviness in the body.

Sweet taste (Madhura)

Sweet taste improves health and promotes longevity. He has a favorable effect on all organs of the body, it stimulates the growth of tissues, increases energy levels, restore a sick body, gives strength and increases the potency. Sweet taste balances Vata and Pitta, eliminates hunger, reduces burning sensation and reduces pain.

The sweet taste of a beneficial effect on the hormonal system of women, however, should be aware that the high sweetness is good to eat before dinner, after dinner, they act on the contrary, that is, on the contrary destroy the balance of the hormonal system, here, by the way, is a set of weights.

It is best absorbed by the sweet taste from 6 to 8 am. Fruit, dried fruit to eat well in the morning and before dinner. They are best with nothing to confuse. Sweet taste raises the energy up, charge a good positive mood for the whole day. However, it is not recommended to eat legumes sweets in the early morning.

Products: sugar, honey and food containing them, milk, wheat, sesame, barley, walnuts, almonds and coconuts, dates, raisins, rice, flax seeds, bread, meat, cinnamon, cardamom.

Sour taste (Amla)

Sour taste stimulates saliva and digestion. It affects the senses, improves brain function and intelligence. Most sour taste needs Wat, least of all – Pitt.

The excess sour taste is toxic to blood, causing heartburn, increases the acidity favors the formation of ulcers and hard healing wounds, occurrence of pus.

Products: citrus fruits, fermented products (yoghurt, soy sauce, vinegar), tomatoes, rose hips and hawthorn.

Salty taste (Laban)

Salty taste stimulates the appetite and aids digestion. He liquefies phlegm, cleanses and increases the severity of food, suppresses all other flavors. Most of all he needs Wat, least of all – Pitt.

The excess creates inflammation, digestive kindle fire, increases bile secretion, causing begin skin disorders, allergy, and increased blood pressure.

Products: seaweed, sea salt and mineral.

Acute or pungent taste (Katu)

The acrid taste stimulates digestion, appetite, blood circulation and promotes digestion and absorption of food, struggling with obesity, it helps to eliminate toxins, normalize appetite, has a beneficial effect on the skin. Most pungent taste needs kapha because it has the ability to balance her, least of all – Pitt.

If excessive use of it can cause fainting, dizziness and a feeling of weakness.

Products: chilli pepper, chilli, black pepper, bay leaf, mustard, onion, coriander, cumin, thyme, cinnamon, cloves and asafoetida.

Bitter taste (tikta)

Bitter taste helps to restore a sense of taste in general. It has antimicrobial, antifebrile and anthelminthic action. Used as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent. Helps fight with syncope, burning sensation, pruritus, inflammatory diseases of the skin, it expels the gases and reduces thirst. This taste all Dosham needed in very small quantities, the least it should be cotton.

The excess of the bitter taste depletes, dry skin, reduced physical strength.

Products: turmeric, cinnamon, bitter melon, chicory, wormwood, clove, yarrow, bay leaf, aloe, oak bark.

Astringent taste (Kashaya)

Astringent promotes healing of wounds, injuries and stops bleeding by helping blood to clot quickly. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Its use is necessary for all Dosham, especially Pitt. Kapha and Vata need it in smaller quantities.

When immoderate use of gases causes a delay in the intestine, it clogs the vessels, gives extra burden on the heart, can cause paralysis, cramps and spasms.

Products: unripe bananas, pomegranate, cherry, turmeric, plantain, many types of beans, unripe fruit, raw vegetables.