The very first and most important sensation we experience when eating is taste. Our mood, well-being and thoughts will largely depend on what this taste will be like. The oldest Indian scriptures say that our world consists of five integral elements, which are earth, water, air, fire and ether. Combinations of these elements form the following flavors: warming or cooling, light or heavy, dry or wet. We will tell you about the Flavors of Ayurveda
Flavors of Ayurveda
Let’s take a closer look at each of these flavors below:
1. Sweet taste
Combination of earth and water, cooling effect.
It has long been proven by scientists that sweet taste can bring pleasure. When you eat something that tastes like this, you feel joy and peace. Therefore, in Ayurveda, a great deal of importance is attached to sweet, especially as a means in the fight against weakness. The sweet taste is essential for the growing body of children, as well as for the weakened elderly to improve health. This taste promotes longevity, it tones and rejuvenates. The sweet taste has a beneficial effect on the liver, helps to heal injuries and fractures, and has a good effect on the condition of the hair, skin and our nervous system.
What should you eat to get the full benefit of the sweet taste? The product list is great! And you will probably be surprised, but these are not chocolates! Firstly, sweet foods include milk and cream, and also ghee. Vegetables include boiled carrots, beets, cauliflower and potatoes, as well as legumes such as peas and lentils, cereals – wheat, rice, barley, and fruits – peaches, mangoes, figs, plums, and dates. And, of course, you can’t do without sugar and honey, as well as spices and herbs – dill, basil, cloves.
If you want to cheer up, be sure to eat something sweet.
2. Sour taste
Combination of earth and fire, the action is warming.
This bright taste develops the ability to assess correctly and, therefore, to make better choices. It also sharpens the senses and heightens the thirst for adventure. It stimulates our appetite and thins our blood, therefore it is very beneficial for the heart and digestive system. The sour taste cleanses the body, relieves spasms, fights gases and regulates acidity.
What foods contain the acidity we need? First of all, these are fermentation products – various pickles and marinades, vinegar, sauerkraut, wine; fermented milk products such as cheese, yogurt, sour cream; fruits with berries – lemon, lime, green grapes, tamarind; fruits, spices and herbs such as rose hips, hibiscus, cumin, coriander.
If you want to sharpen your mind – choose food with a sour taste! This will be the right decision!
3. Salty taste
Combination of fire and water, action – heavy, warming, moist.
The salty taste cleanses the body’s energy, enhances the love of life, is a natural antiseptic, retains moisture in the body, relieves pain and cramps, has a laxative effect and increases the production of digestive enzymes. This taste fights blood viscosity, increases appetite, relaxes and cleanses the body.
The following products have this taste: sea salt, table salt and rock salt, seaweed kelp and other algae.
If you feel dehydrated, take our advice – make yourself a special electrolyte drink: add 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt and 100 g of honey to one liter of water and drink it. You will feel better after this drink.
4. Pungent taste
Combination of fire and air, action – light, warming, dry.
What if you suddenly feel tired and / or apathetic? A pungent taste can help you out, because it is as if it was specially created in order to fight such conditions. Thanks to the sharp taste, your mind itself becomes sharper, and you become more reasonable. The pungent taste has a bactericidal effect, fights viruses and cleanses the body of toxins and toxins. It speeds up blood circulation and improves metabolism. The pungent taste also relieves muscle pain, treats skin conditions, and unclogs the sinuses.
This taste is usually given to us by vegetables – radish, eggplant, onion and garlic; spices – mustard, ginger, horseradish, cayenne and black pepper, chili, cloves, anise, turmeric, cardamom, cumin.
Therefore, if you suddenly notice yourself falling asleep on the go, eat something spicy, and the drowsiness will pass!
5. Bitter taste
Combination of air and ether, action – light, cooling, dry.
This taste is responsible for correcting the imbalance between the mind and body. Bitter taste has a beneficial effect on consciousness, improves perception and relieves illusion. It detoxifies the body of bacteria, relieves fainting spells, relieves fever and fights obesity, skin problems and swelling.
Which of the products contain that very healthy bitterness? Vegetables include cabbage and kale, zucchini and eggplant. Greens include lettuce, sorrel, spinach and rhubarb. From herbs and spices – dandelion root, turmeric, milk thistle, fenugreek. From berries and fruits – olives and grapefruit. Drinks include tea, coffee and chicory.
So if you want to reduce your overall arousal, calm down, and find some peace of mind, eat more bitter foods.
6. Astringent taste
Combination of earth and air, actions – heavy, cooling, dry.
The astringent taste directs your mind inward and helps avoid stimulation and arousal. Astringent taste removes excess moisture, improves blood clotting, stops diarrhea and reduces pain and inflammation. Thanks to this taste, ulcers heal faster.
Where do you get an astringent taste? From vegetables – turnips, broccoli, asparagus, artichokes; from legumes – beans, chickpeas (chickpeas), lentils; in cereals – buckwheat, quinoa; in fruits and berries – cranberries, persimmons, feijoa, pomegranates; from spices and herbs – basil, marjoram, turmeric and saffron.
For toning and strengthening the whole body, as well as for fast digestion, astringent foods will help you.
But remember that you should not abuse any one of the tastes, otherwise you will get negative consequences for your well-being.
Flavors of Ayurveda to buy
Always listen to your body: it will tell you what it needs and what it doesn’t. And now, with your knowledge of the 6 tastes in Ayurveda, you can easily find the right food for you intuitively.
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