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The Importance of Bitter and Astringent Tastes for Balanced NutritionAyurvedic medicine describes six rasas, or types of taste. Taste applies not only to the perception of taste buds located on the tongue, but to the final reaction of food in the acid medium of the stomach. The taste in the mouth is called svadu and the taste in the stomach is called paka. For example ayurveda classifies wheat bread as sweet even though the taste in the mouth is not sweet as we know it. Its reaction in the stomach makes it sweet. The six rasas are:
The six tastes should be balanced in the diet for optimum health and nutrition. The ayurvedic principle of the six tastes is key in the science of ayurvedic herbal formulation as well. People who need to balance pitta and kapha generally need to eat more bitter and astringent foods. Ayurvedic churnas or spice mixes are convenient ways to incorporate these tastes into the diet. The American diet tends to predominantly consist of the sweet and sour tastes. The sweet taste includes food with wheat products such as bread, cereal and pasta, rice, milk, ice cream and desserts. The sour taste includes food made from tomato products, ketchup, spicy Mexican sauce, pasta sauce, cheese, and citrus fruits and drinks. Too much tomato, Mexican hot sauce, cheese and citrus all increase heat in the body. These sour food items should be reduced in quantity or preferably avoided by people who have hyperacidity or other signs of a pitta imbalance. Internally the bitter taste helps to balance pitta and kapha. It decreases water retention and is used for a tonic for a congested liver. It is cleansing and helps to take away burning and itching sensations. In excess it can aggravate vata and dehydrate the body. The astringent taste internally purifies the blood and helps balance pitta and kapha. In excess, it creates gas and constipation. The following are examples of foods and spices for the bitter and astringent tastes: Bitter Taste:
Astringent Taste:
Try to include some of these foods in your daily diet. An easy way to get the bitter taste is to add fenugreek seeds to your foods as they are cooking. One teaspoon of fenugreek seeds per day is a great way to get more of the bitter balancing taste. You can sauté them in ghee and then add to your vegetables or add a teaspoon right into the cooking pot of a stew or bean dish. Turmeric is both bitter and astringent. It is considered a blood purifier and an antioxidant. One teaspoon a day cooked with your meals is an excellent and inexpensive health habit that would be a great way to increase your antioxidant intake. Pomegranates taste sour but are both astringent and bitter and do not aggravate pitta. According to ayurvedic texts, pomegranate is considered a pitta balancing fruit and a wonderful heart tonic. Pure pomegranate juice can be purchased at health food stores. Pomegranate seeds can be made into a delicious relish or chutney. This can be eaten daily, especially during summer when pitta dosha gets out of balance. Aloe vera juice is good for everyone but it is especially beneficial for those suffering from pitta imbalances. It is good for digestion and elimination. It cleanses and refreshes the system. Spices are certainly a quick, convenient and flavorful way of incorporating the more unusual bitter and astringent tastes into your daily diet, but with a little effort and creativity you can get those tastes from many other foods as well. Recipe for a Natural Energy Boost
Soak together for an hour or so, until soft. Blend into a smooth paste. Add to your vegetables or other foods as you cook the dish. Eat at dinner. Allow a tablespoon of paste per serving. Guaranteed to help you get a good night's sleep and awake fatigue free.
These articles provide a great resource from The Council of Maharishi Ayurveda Physicians on the knowledge, practices, products, and applications of Maharishi Ayurveda. Disclaimer |
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