Om Sai Ram
Sai Sanjeevini......healing fragrances
THE SIX TASTES AND HOW THEY AFFECT THE DOSHAS

 
Sweet taste:

Increases Kapha
Decreases Pitta and Vata

Important: Sweet does not mean white refined sugar.



Salty taste:

Increases Kapha and Pitta.
Decreases Vata.



Sour:

Increases Pitta and Kapha.
Decreases Vata.



Bitter:

Increases Vata.
Decreases Pitta and Kapha.

Note: The following are bitter : karela (bitter gourd - this being the best), turmeric, fenugreek (methi), spinach, lemon rind, lettuce.
 
 
Important: When more than one or all doshas are out of balance, start the day with the bitter taste - it helps to bring our sense of taste back into balance so that our body does not crave the wrong foods - foods to which we are addicted and which may have caused our problems in the first place. A few slices of karela (unpeeled) or juice of one karela are excellent for restoring our senses to balance.
 



Pungent:

Increases Vata and Pitta.
Decreases Kapha.

These include chillies, onion, garlic (uncooked), radishes (mooli), ginger, spicy foods in general.
 



Astringent:

Increases Vata.
Decreases Pitta and Kapha.

These include beans, lentils, apples, pears, cabbage, broccoli, caualiflower, potatoes.


 Back to The Interplay of Doshas - Index

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