The Importance of Balancing the Six Tastes in Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, recognizes the importance of maintaining a balance of the Three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in order to maintain optimal health. The balance of the doshas is influenced by the Six Tastes, which are Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, and Astringent. Each of the Six Tastes is derived from the Five Great Elements and they play a crucial role in mediating the balance of the doshas.

Sweet – Composed mainly of Earth and Water, Sweet increases Kapha, decreases Pitta and Vata, and is cooling, heavy, and unctuous. It nourishes and rejuvenates the body and mind, relieves hunger and thirst, and promotes the increase of all tissues.

Sour – Composed mainly of Earth and Fire, Sour increases Kapha and Pitta, decreases Vata, and is heating, heavy, and unctuous. Sour refreshes the body, encourages elimination of waste, and improves appetite and digestion.

Salty – Composed mainly of Water and Fire, Salty increases Kapha and Pitta, decreases Vata, and is heavy, heating, and unctuous. Salty eliminates waste, cleanses the body, and improves digestive capacity and appetite. It also softens and loosens the tissues.

Pungent – Composed mainly of Fire and Air, Pungent (which is hot and spicy like chili peppers) increases Pitta and Vata, decreases Kapha, and is heating, light, and dry. Pungent flushes all types of secretions from the body and reduces Kapha-like tissues, such as semen, milk, and fat. It improves appetite.

Bitter – Composed mainly of Air and Space, Bitter increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha, and is cooling, light, and dry. Bitter purifies and dries all secretions, is anti-aphrodisiac, and tones the organism by returning all Tastes to a normal balance. It also amplifies appetite and restrains skin diseases and fevers.

Astringent – Composed mainly of Air and Earth, Astringent (which makes your mouth pucker) increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha, and is cooling, light, and dry. Astringent heals, purifies, and constricts all parts of the body. It reduces secretions and is anti-aphrodisiac.

All Six Tastes are essential for proper functioning of the organism and reach us primarily through our food. Digestion begins in the mouth at the instant the tongue Tastes the food. The tongue transmits the food’s Tastes directly to the brain, which determines what sort of fat, protein, or carbohydrate has been ingested and what sort of juices need to be secreted for optimal digestion.

EFFECTS OF OVERUSE

The consequences of overindulging in one or more of the Six Tastes can lead to imbalances and have adverse effects on your health. These effects include:

• Overconsumption of Sweet tastes can result in obesity, diabetes, dropsy, parasites, obstructed circulation, eye inflammation, indigestion, vomiting, gas, lethargy, respiratory congestion and other Kapha-related issues.
• Excessive Sour tastes can cause burning sensations, itching, dizziness, premature aging, looseness in body tissues, and suppuration.
• Overuse of Salty tastes can lead to inflammation, edema, easy bleeding, skin diseases such as herpes and hives, joint problems, impotence, early wrinkling of the skin, and early baldness.
• Pungent tastes in excess can result in pain, dizziness, loss of consciousness, dryness of the mouth, tremors, debility, emaciation, burning sensations, fever, increased thirst, and drying of sexual secretions.
• Overindulging in Bitter tastes can cause all Vata-related diseases such as numbness, emaciation, colicky pain, giddiness, headache, stiffness, tremors, and decreased sexual secretions.
• Astringent tastes, when overused, can result in all types of Vata disturbances including tremors, fits, constipation, dryness of the body, distention, tingling numbness, emaciation, thirst, and decreased sexual secretions.

Emotions associated with the Tastes