Ayurvedic diet is based on the principle of six taste. In this time of fast food and processed food people have become more taste oriented. While the taste of food an important factor that gives satisfaction however one must remember that food is not only for taste but for nutrition.
Ayurveda the ancient science of health have beautifully explained the concept of taste. How the taste affect your health and well-being. So the traditional Ayurveda concept of Ahaar( food ) is a combination of taste as well as health.
Ayurvedic diet & taste
In Ayurvedic diet the taste is known as Ras. The taste (Ras) is defined as the one which is identified by the tongue. These Ras (Taste) are of six type. The six taste that are recognised are Madhur (Sweet), Amla (Sour), Lavana( Salty), Katu ( Pungent), Tikth( Bitter) and Kashay ( Astringent).
A rule of Ayurvedic diet is that a person should incorporate all the six taste in his/her diet. This is very important to keep good health. If someone indulges in eating food rich in any one or two taste then that person suffers from some health problem because of excess of that taste or deficiency of the other taste .
These taste directly impacts the three dosha and lead to imbalance in them. They can either increase a dosha or decrease a dosha.
Relation of Ras and Dosha
As said earlier the six taste have on impact dosha like
Madhur ( Sweet), Amla( Sour), Lavan( Salty) these three taste helps to reduces the aggravated Vata dosha.
However the same three Ras that is Madhur(Sweet) , Amla ( Sour) and Lavan (Salty) tends to increase the Kapha dosha.
The Katu ( Pungent), Tikth ( Bitter) and Kashay( Astringent) Ras (Taste) helps to pacify the Kapha dosha and aggravates the Vata dosha in the body.
Pitta dosha is pacified by Madhur( Sweet), Tikth( bitter) and Kashay ( Astringent).
Whereas Pitta dosha increases with Katu ( Pungent), Amla (Sour), Lavan ( Salty).
Significance of Madhur Ras in Ayurveda diet
Madhur Ras is made up of earth and water elements. It has got the quality of oilyness, coldness and heaviness. This Madhur ras increases Kapha dosha in the body on the other hand it decreases Vata-Pitta dosha in the body.
Madhur Ras gives nutrition to all the tissues such as rakth( blood), Mansa( musccle), Meda (fat), Asthi ( bone ) Majja ( nerves). It helps in formation of ojas – essence of strength and vitality.
Madhur ras boost stamina and also the complexion, pacify the thirst, good for skin and hair. Although it is nutritious however when it is taken in excess it tends to increase fatness, lethargy, drowsiness, lack of apetite. Along with this causes diseases such as diabetes, obesity, allergy, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia and heart diseases.
The food items and the herbs that are dominant in Madhur ras also have Madhur Vipaak ( means it gets converted in madhur ras) like carbohydrates are converted into glucose.
Significance of Amla Ras
Amla Ras is made up of earth and fire elements. It has got the quality of oily, hotness and heaviness. Amla ras increases Kapha-Pitta dosha in the body on the other hand it decreases Vata dosha in the body.
Amla Ras gives taste to your food. Improves the digestion power and helps the body to grow. Along with this it gives you energy, keep the senses active, improves salivation and helps in movement of food in digestive tract.
However when it is taken in excess it causes burning sensation, makes blood impure, looseness of the body, heart burn . Beside this it causes diseases such as hyperacidity, inflammation, swelling, and heart diseases.
The food items and the herbs that are dominant in Amla ras also have Amla Vipaak ( means it gets converted in Amla ras). Like proteins are converted into fatty acids
Significance of Lavana Ras (Salty taste)
Lavana Ras is made up of water and fire elements. It has got the quality of oily, hotness and light. Amla ras increases Kapha-Pitta dosha in the body on the other hand it decreases Vata dosha in the body.
Lavana Ras gives taste to your food and helps in digestion. It has got carminative(deepan) property and digestive (pachan) properties. Lavana ras also has laxative property and therefore helps in bringing normal stool. It is sharp and enters the deepest tissue in quick time. Also it helps in expectoration of Kapha . Improves the digestion power and helps the body to grow.
However when it is taken in excess it increases heat in the body increases blood pressure, makes thirsty, brings giddiness, wrinkles on skin, early greying of hair . In addition to this it causes diseases such as hyperacidity, gout arthritis, eczema, and other skin disorders.
The food items and the herbs that are dominant in Lavana ras also have Madhur Vipaak ( means it gets converted in madhur ras) .
Significance of Katu Ras (Pungent taste)
Katu Ras is made up of fire and air elements. It has got the quality of dryness, hotness and lightness. This Katu ras increases Vata-Pitta dosha in the body on the other hand it decreases Kapha dosha in the body.
Katu Ras helps to improve apetite and digestive fire. taste to your food and helps in digestion. It helps in absorption of nutrition in the body. Makes your senses sharp and active. It helps to decrease swelling in the body, excessive muscular growth, fluid accumulation, itching, worm infestation and blood clotting.
However when it is taken in excess quantity it destroy body strength, increases vertigo, fatigue, makes body weak lean. Also it makes the gut flora unhealthy . In addition to this it causes diseases such as piles, gerd, urticaria, and other ,migraine.
Significance of Tikth Ras (Bitter taste)
Tikth Ras is made up of air and ether elements. It has got the quality of dryness, coldness and lightness. Tikth ras increases Vata dosha in the body on the other hand it decreases Kapha-Pitta dosha in the body.
Tikth Ras helps to make food tasty. It helps in reduction af Ama ( toxins) in the body. Makes skin tight and reduces intestinal worms . It makes the digestive fire strong and helps in digestion. Tikth ras is aids in weight reduction and reduces fluid accumulation. It also helps to control excessive urination.
However when it is taken in excess quantity it the body very dry, reduces strength, makes body weak and lean, increases giddiness and dryness of mouth. It can also cause loss of consciousness.
Significance of Kashay Ras (Astringent taste)
Kashay Ras is made up of earth and air elements. It has got the quality of dryness, coldness and lightness. This kashay ras increases Vata dosha in the body on the other hand it decreases Kapha-Pitta dosha in the body.
Kashay Ras helps in healing of wound, helps in reducing discharge of pus and also reduces fluid accumulation in the body.
However when it is taken in excess quantity it leads to problems such as arthritis, joint pain and degenerative joint diseases. Along with this it leads to gas formation, stiffness in the body, lack of sexual desire and obstruction in normal flow of urine and feaces.
Conclusion
Understanding the six tastes concept in Ayurvedic diet helps in making mindful food choices that align with one’s unique constitution. By incorporating a variety of flavors into meals, one can achieve better health, digestion, and emotional well-being. Ayurveda teaches that food is medicine, and a balanced diet with all six tastes can lead to a harmonious and disease-free life.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
