Vipaka
Post-digestive effect of taste on body, mind and consciousness. Sweet and salty tastes have sweet vipak, sour has sour vipak, pungent/bitter/astringent have pungent vipak.
Vipak — The Post-Digestive Effect
The final post-digestive effect of taste on the body, mind and consciousness is called vipak.
- Sweet vipak: Sweet and salty tastes
- Sour vipak: Sour taste
- Pungent vipak: Pungent, bitter and astringent tastes
If one knows the taste, energy and post-digestive effect of a food or herb, it is simple to understand its action on bodily systems. This knowledge is essential for both healing and cooking.
The first subjective experience on the tongue is taste (rasa); a short time later, one feels heating or cooling energy (virya); finally the substance has an action on urine, feces and sweat (vipak).
Source: Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing, Chapter 3: Taste and Digestion
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.