Salty Taste

Elements: Water + Fire

Qualities: Heating, heavy, oily, hydrophilous

Action: Anabolic

Dosha effect: Relieves Vata; intensifies Kapha and Pitta

Examples: Sea salt, rock salt, kelp

When used moderately, it relieves vata and intensifies kapha and pitta. Due to its Water element, it is laxative and, owing to the Fire element, it lessens spasm and pain of the colon. When taken in moderation, it promotes growth and maintains water electrolyte balance. Salty taste is so strong that it nullifies the effect of all other tastes. It stimulates salivation, improves the flavor of food, aids digestion, absorption and elimination of wastes.

In excess: Too much salt may cause aggravation of pitta and kapha, makes the blood thick and viscous, causes hypertension and worsens skin conditions. May cause heating sensations, fainting, wrinkling and baldness. Due to its hydrophilous nature, it may induce edema or water retention. Patchy hair loss, ulcers, bleeding disorders, skin eruptions, hyperacidity and hypertension may result from overuse.

Salty is called lavana, with Water and Fire as the predominant elements. It is heating, heavy, oily, and hydrophilic in nature. Used moderately, salty relieves vata but increases kapha and pitta. Classical examples include table salt, sea salt, rock salt, sesame salt, seaweed, and tamari. Ayurveda recommends mineral rock salt over sea or table salt because it contains many minerals in addition to sodium and balances the doshas when used in moderation.

Owing to the Water element, salty is laxative, and owing to the Fire element, it is antispasmodic. Like sweet, salty is anabolic in nature. A small amount enhances flavor, but any more nullifies other tastes. It stimulates salivation, aids digestion, absorption, and assimilation, helps elimination of wastes, and removes gases from the colon. Salt promotes growth, gives energy, and maintains water-electrolyte balance. A pinch of salt in food will equalize blood pressure in dehydration and enhance energy. People who work hard under the hot sun lose salt through sweat, which is why tropical countries like India require more dietary salt. Salt is also essential for muscle strength.

Salty taste (lavana) is composed of Water and Fire elements. It pacifies vata but aggravates pitta and kapha, making blood thick and viscous and contributing to thickening and narrowing of blood vessels. Its hydrophilic nature induces water retention, which is why hypertensive patients are advised to limit salt intake.

Overuse of salty taste can produce heat sensations, fainting, wrinkles, ulcers, bleeding disorders, hyperacidity, and worsen skin conditions. Frequent consumption may cause hair loss by increasing pitta. In very high quantities, salt can induce vomiting, which expels excess kapha and pitta. Mineral rock salt is generally exempt from these negative effects.

Psychologically, salt enhances spirit, confidence, courage, enthusiasm, and interest, and supports an inquiring mind. A salt-free diet for a month can cause dullness, depression, and loss of creativity. However, excess salt — like sweet — can create temptation, addiction, attachment, greed, and irritability.