Qualities of Primary Tastes Flashcards
Sweet is generally seen as…
wet, cool and heavy
Promotes growth, strength. Soothes, nourishes. Creates firmness. Nutritive, tonic, rejuvenative.
Sweet
What are examples of “sweet”?
Comfrey, Marshmallow, Slippery Elm, dates
Sour is generally seen as…
light, hot and wet
Stimulates, promotes digestion, increases appetite, carminative
Invigorates, increases strength. Promotes salivation, aids swallowing and digestion. Causes burning sensations if used to excess
Sour
What are examples of “sour”?
Lemon, lime, vinegar
Salty is generally seen as…
heavy, oily and hot
Takes remedies to the kidneys. Promotes GI and increases appetite. Cutting, biting, sharp, fluid. Sedative, laxative, deobstruent. “Salt is the essence of the body”. Blood is v salty. Carries a deep nutrition. In small amounts it softens and tenderises, in large amounts it hardens.
Salty
What are examples of “salty”?
Kelp and other seaweeds
Pungent is generally seen as…
light, hot and dry
Stimulating, promotes digestion and appetite. Diaphoretic, expectorant, antiparasitical. Moves from inside to outside. Useful for anything STUCK. Moves and raises energy. Lifts the spirits – useful for depression
Pungent
What are examples of “pungent”?
Ginger, Galangal, Cayenne, cinnamon
Bitter is generally seen as…
dry, cold and light
Detoxifying, antibacterial, germicidal. Tightens skin and muscles. Removes fat and toxic accumulations. Relieves itch and skin inflammation. Reduces fevers, is anti- inflammatory. Moves downward.
Bitter
What are examples of “bitter”?
Gentian, Centaury, coffee, tonic water
