When it comes to nutrition, Ayurveda provides a mindful approach in consuming
organic, nourishing whole foods and herbs that balance our unique mind-body constitution, or our dosha. Applying this knowledge will help keep our digestive fire (our agni) strong for optimal absorption, digestion, and overall wellbeing.
Let's recap the qualities of each dosha, before diving into the six tastes:
Vata (ether and air) - light, cold, dry, rough, clear, mobile
Pitta (fire and water) - light, hot, oily, sharp, wet, clear, mobile
Kapha (water and earth) - heavy, cool, wet, soft, dense, static
According to Ayurveda, foods and herbs are categorized by six tastes, or rasas. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. These tastes each have a doshic effect, action, and specific benefits for the body and mind.
Sweet (Madhura) V- P- K+
action: grounding, nourishing, building
benefits: slows digestion, improves strength, calms nerves
foods: sweet potatoes, avocados, oils, mangos, rice/grains
Sour (Amla) V- P- K+
action: stabilizing
benefits: increases appetite, boosts salvation, improves absorption, stimulates digestion
foods: citrus, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut
Salty (Lavana) V- P+ K+
action: grounding, hydrating, moisturizing
benefits: softens tissues, stimulates digestion, balances electrolytes
foods: sea salt, Himalayan salt, seaweed, kelp
Pungent (Katu) V+ P+ K-
action: stimulating, warming, energizing
benefits: Increases appetite, improves circulation, clears sinuses, stimulates senses
foods: hot peppers, radishes, ginger, onions, garlic
Bitter (Tikta) V+ P- K-
action: cleansing, nourishing
benefits: cleanses, detoxifies blood, supplies magnesium and calcium
foods: leafy greens, brussel sprouts, turmeric
Astringent (Kasaya) V+ P- K-
action: drying, calming, clarifying
benefits: absorbs water, tightens tissues, slows digestion, dries fat
foods: legumes, beans, berries, sprouts, corn, raw veggies
While it's important to incorporate all tastes in your daily diet, take note of the types of imbalances you are experiencing. Refer to the six rasas to help bring your body and mind back to a more balanced state.
An imbalanced Vata shows up as bloating, gas, constipation, anemia, loss of appetite, and anxiety
- If you are experiencing a Vata imbalance, consume more sweet, sour, and salty foods
intention: to ground, nourish
be mindful of: raw, airy, cold foods
An imbalanced Pitta shows up as heartburn, hyperacidity, anger, acne, being overly competitive, diarrhea
-If you are experiencing a Pitta imbalance, consume more sweet, bitter, and astringent foods
intention: to cleanse, calm/cool
be mindful of: heating, stimulating, spicy foods
An imbalanced Kapha shows up as asthma, allergies, depression, weight gain, jealousy, fluid retention
-If you are experiencing a Kapha imbalance, consume more bitter, pungent, and astringent foods
intention: to stimulate, energize
be mindful of: heavy, oily, sweet foods
Sources: Eat, Feel Fresh & Florida Academy of Ayurveda Training Manual
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