Volume III · Part I · Chapter 5
The Six Tastes (Shad Rasa)
Foundations of Ayurvedic Living
About 2 min read
Taste (rasa) is the most immediate guide to a food's effect. Each of the six tastes is made of two elements and therefore pacifies some doshas and aggravates others. A balanced meal includes all six tastes, with the season and the person deciding which dominate. The Indian thali — rice and sweets (sweet), lemon and curd (sour), pickle and salt (salty), ginger and spices (pungent), methi and karela (bitter), dal and greens (astringent) — is the six tastes on one plate.
The six tastes
- Elements:
- Earth + water
- Effect on doshas:
- Pacifies Vata and Pitta; increases Kapha
- Actions:
- Builds tissues, strength, satisfaction; soothing
- Kitchen sources:
- Rice, wheat, milk, ghee, dates, sweet fruits, root vegetables, moong
- In excess:
- Heaviness, weight gain, congestion, sluggish digestion
| Taste | Elements | Effect on doshas | Actions in the body | Kitchen sources | In excess |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet (madhura) | Earth + water | Pacifies Vata and Pitta; increases Kapha | Builds tissues, strength, satisfaction; soothing | Rice, wheat, milk, ghee, dates, sweet fruits, root vegetables, moong | Heaviness, weight gain, congestion, sluggish digestion |
| Sour (amla) | Earth + fire | Pacifies Vata; increases Pitta and Kapha | Stimulates appetite and saliva; aids digestion | Lemon, amla, curd, tamarind, kokum, tomato, fermented foods | Acidity, inflammation, loose teeth, thirst |
| Salty (lavana) | Water + fire | Pacifies Vata; increases Pitta and Kapha | Moistens, softens, aids digestion and taste | Rock salt, sea salt, black salt | Water retention, high blood pressure, thirst, skin problems |
| Pungent (katu) | Fire + air | Pacifies Kapha; increases Vata and Pitta | Kindles agni, clears channels, reduces fat | Ginger, pepper, chilli, mustard, cloves, hing | Burning, dryness, dizziness, insomnia |
| Bitter (tikta) | Air + space | Pacifies Pitta and Kapha; increases Vata | Detoxifying, cooling, reduces fever and craving | Methi, karela, neem, turmeric, leafy greens | Dryness, emaciation, constipation, anxiety |
| Astringent (kashaya) | Air + earth | Pacifies Pitta and Kapha; increases Vata | Tightening, drying, stops discharges, heals | Moong, masoor, pomegranate, unripe banana, green tea, turmeric | Dryness, constipation, gas, stiffness |
Taste × dosha
| Taste | Vata | Pitta | Kapha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet (madhura) | ↓ pacifies | ↓ pacifies | ↑ increases |
| Sour (amla) | ↓ pacifies | ↑ increases | ↑ increases |
| Salty (lavana) | ↓ pacifies | ↑ increases | ↑ increases |
| Pungent (katu) | ↑ increases | ↑ increases | ↓ pacifies |
| Bitter (tikta) | ↑ increases | ↓ pacifies | ↓ pacifies |
| Astringent (kashaya) | ↑ increases | ↓ pacifies | ↓ pacifies |
↓ pacifies · ↑ increases