L9 Ayurveda Treatment - Tastes Flashcards
What are the six tastes in Ayurveda?
Sweet, Sour, Salty,
Pungent, Bitter, Astringent
What is the effect of too much or too little of any taste on Doshas?
Causes aggravation of either Vata, Pitta or Kapha
What are the qualities of the sweet taste?
Moist, cool, and heavy
Which elements are associated with the sweet taste?
Water
Earth
What are the effects of the sweet taste?
- Tonic
- Nourishing
- Immune-supporting
- Anti-inflammatory
- Bring contentment
- when demulcent can support mucous membranes, skin healing, expectoration, bowel elimination
What problems can excess sweet taste cause?
- Obesity
- Heaviness
- Loss of appetite
- Diabetes
- Increased mucus secretions
Kapha problems
Which foods are considered sweet?
- Liquorice
- Marshmallow
- Root vegetables
- Grains
What are the effects of sweet on the doshas
Increases Kapha (K+)
Reduces Vata and Pitta (VP-)
Which elements are associated the sour taste?
Fire
Earth
What are the qualities of the sour taste?
Moist, hot, and light
What are the effects of sour taste on the doshas
Increases Pitta and Kapha (PK+)
Reduces Vata (V-)
What effects does the sour taste have?
- Stimulates digestion (bile production)
- Aids elimination
- Promotes circulation
- Relieves thirst
- Strengthens and moistens the body
- Brings alertness
What problems can excess sour taste cause?
- Acidity
- Ulcers
- Fevers
- Aggravates inflammatory skin diseases
Heat aggravating Pitta, moistness aggravating Kapha
Which foods are considered sour?
- Citrus fruit
- Fermented foods
- Apple cider vinegar
What are the qualities of the salty taste?
Moist, hot, and heavy
Which elements are associated the salty taste?
Fire
Water
What are the effects of salty on the doshas ?
Increases Pitta and Kapha (PK+)
Reduces Vata (V-)
What are the effects of the salty taste?
- Stimulates digestion (Agni)
- Mildly laxative
- Softens tumours and phlegm
- Grounds the nerves
- Reduces stiffness
- Builds strength and stability
What problems can excess salty taste cause?
- Thirst
- Skin diseases
- Burning sensations
- Hypertension
- Irritability
- Fluid retention (Kapha)
Which foods are considered salty?
- Himalayan salt
- Rock salt
- Garlic
- Seaweeds
- Celery seed
What are the qualities of the pungent taste?
Dry, hot, and light
Which elements are associated the pungent taste?
Fire
Air
What are the effects of pungent on the doshas ?
Increases Vata and Pitta (VP+)
Reduces Kapha (K-)
What are the effects of the pungent taste?
- Stimulates digestion
- Improves circulation
- Relieves nerve pain
- Promotes sweating
- Clears mucus, dampness, stagnation
- Fires up minds and senses
What problems can excess pungent taste cause?
- Emaciation
- Burning sensations
- Fever
- Thirst
- Skin diseases
- Anger and frustration
Which foods are considered pungent?
- Ginger
- Black pepper
- Chilli
- Cloves
- Cumin
What are the qualities of the bitter taste?
Dry, cool, and light
Which elements are associated the bitter taste?
Air
Ether
What are the effects of bitter on the doshas ?
Increases Vata (V-)
Reduces Pitta and Kapha (PK+)
“Bitter is better for Pitta”
What are the effects of the bitter taste?
- Anti-inflammatory
- Detoxifying
- Strengthens digestion (small amounts)
- Supports liver function
- Aids fat digestion (bile production)
- Lowers blood sugar
- Clears fluid retention
- Cleanses mind and emotions
What problems can excess bitter taste cause?
- Coldness
- Weakness
- Disorientation
- Nervous problems
- Spasms
Vata problems
Which foods are considered bitter?
- Gentian
- Chicory
- Leafy greens
What are the qualities of the astringent taste?
Dry, cool, and heavy
Which elements are associated the astringent taste?
Air
Earth
What are the effects of astringent on the doshas ?
Increases Vata (V+)
Reduces Pitta and Kapha (PK-)
What are the effects of the astringent taste?
- Reduces bleeding
- Promotes healing of skin/mucous membranes
- Contracts tissues
- Dries mucus
- Raises prolapsed organs
- Brings mental firmness
What problems can excess astringent taste cause?
- Dries tissues
- Causes constipation
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Nervous disorders
- Obstructs flow of Prana
Which foods are considered astringent?
- Witch hazel
- Unripe bananas
- Green tea
