The six tastes (Shadrasas)
In Ayurveda, food plays a very important role in our health. Food is what sustains our tissues (dhatus), gives strenght (bala) to our body and increases our immunity (ojas). And it is not just about the calories, proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins or minerals that every meal brings us, but also the taste constitutes a very important part of what food gives us. The taste is a distinctive quality of the matter. The effect that something is going to produce in our body can be deduced from the taste that it has. The taste is |
determined by the quality and quantity of the five elements (Panchamahabhutas) present on a substance, so it can be understood that the flavour of the food is a reflection of the materials that we are consuming to build up our bodies. In that way, if we want to balance our bodies we will choose the right proportion of tastes, according to our constitution.
Ayurveda recognizes 6 tastes, in Sanskrit Shadrasas:
In general it can be said that sweet, sour and salty tastes increase Kapha Dosha and diminish Vata Dosha. Bitter, pungent and astringent tastes increase Vata Dosha and decrease Kapha Dosha. At the same time, sour, pungent and salty tastes increase Pitta Dosha and sweet, bitter and astringent tastes decrease Pitta Dosha.
It can be easily understood through the following charts:
It can be easily understood through the following charts:
Which kind of substances are understood as a sweet food ? Some of the substances included in the sweet group are milk, ripe fruits in general such as grapes, mangoes, coconuts, bananas, apricots, among others, grains like barley, green peas, and off course, sweeteners like sugar and honey. |
How can we improve our health according to the tastes of food ?
In Ayurveda, health is a matter of balance. In general we can say that if you are having some ailments mostly related with pain, weakness, or if you are feeling anxious, agitated (conditions related with an aggravation of Vata, it is better if you intake more sweet, sour and salty food (tastes that diminish Vata Dosha), and reduce your intake of bitter, pungent or astringent food.
If you are having overweight, growths, feeling lack of appetite or lack of energy (considered in Ayurveda as Kapha aggravation), you may want to reduce sweet, sour and salty tastes, and increase bitter, astringent and pungent tastes (to give a little kick of vigour to your day!).
If you suffer from excess sweating and heat in your body, chronic inflammations, or anger (understood as Pitta aggravation), it is healthier for you to consume Pitta diminishing food, with tastes such as sweet, bitter and astringent. At the same time, you may reduce the intake of pungent, sour and salty food.
Please keep in mind that these are general advices to balance the Tri Doshas, or the three energies that work within your body. If you have any specific health condition, you may want to consult to your doctor before making any drastic change in your diet. You may also be interested in contacting an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, who can give you specific recommendations suitable for your constitution.
Do you want to get personalized advices? Do not hesitate in contacting us.
Panchamahabhutas
Ayurveda uses the Panchamahabhutas (five great elements) of nature to explain how the world works. Because of this the explanations in Ayurveda are more infused with imagination, colors and examples from the nature [Read more...] |
Tri Doshas
Tri Doshas means three humors, they are three energies responsibles for the bodily functions. Each dosha has three states [Read more...] |