SWAMI AND AYURVEDA
Swami recommends we live a Sathwic lifestyle and avoid the extremes of Thamas and Rajas. The three Gunas: Sathwa (purity, balance), Rajas (passion, activity) and Thamas (dullness, inertia) are intrinsic to our nature and vital to our spiritual evolution. By maintaining a Sathwic lifestyle we eventually transcend all the Gunas or tendencies and realize Divinity. The focus in this article is primarily on the Doshas, Diet, and the Six tastes that ensure good health physically and mentally.
In connection with diet Swami has also commented on the Dosas and the Six tastes or Rasas:
“Spiritual health is preserved and promoted by attention to three gunas: Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas. Health is preserved and promoted by attention to the three humors: Vatha (wind), Pittha (bile/fire) and Kapha (Phlegm/water). Tri-dosha has to be avoided, that is to say, the three humors must not get vitiated or unbalanced. A healthy body is the best container for a healthy mind; Illness makes the mind agitated and anxious. The material and the spiritual are the two pans in the balance; they have to be attended to, in equal measure at least until a certain stage of progress is attained in spiritual development.” Sadhana the Inward Path, P. 221
Swami has also stated that the Six tastes must be included in our daily diet in order to ensure good health.
I have included an article that gives a little introduction on the Doshas or energetic constitutions that predominate in our individual bodies. Also, some food lists of the 6 tastes and how they affect the Dosas:
Ayurveda for Beginners
How is Ayurveda different from modern medicine?
In Ayurveda, every individual is unique and there is no diet or lifestyle routine that works for everyone.
Prevention is key. Ayurveda focuses on providing specific advice and guidance on how to maintain physical and emotional health.
Food and lifestyle routines are considered the most important medicine. If you come to an Ayurvedic doctor with a complaint, you are more likely to leave with a recipe than with a prescription for pills.
Ayurveda is based on the principles of three doshas. Doshas are the energies that make up every individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body:
The 3 Dosha types:
1. Vata Dosha -- Energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking, and your heartbeat.
In balance: There is creativity and vitality.
Out of balance: Can produce fear and anxiety.
2. Pitta Dosha -- Energy that controls the body's metabolic systems, including digestion, absorption, nutrition, and your body's temperature.
In balance: Leads to contentment and intelligence.
Out of balance: Can cause ulcers and anger.
3. Kapha Dosha -- Energy that controls growth in the body. It supplies water to all body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system.
In balance: Expressed as love and forgiveness.
Out of balance: Can lead to insecurity and envy.
Each person has all three Doshas, but usually one or two dominate. Various Dosha proportions determine one's physiological and personality traits, as well as general likes and dislikes. For example Vata types will prefer hot weather to cold and Kapha types are more likely to crave spicy foods than other types.
Vata Predominant Types: Creative; Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget, Slender; Tall and a fast-walker; Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates; Excitable, lively, fun personality; Changeable moods; Irregular daily routine; High energy in short bursts; Tendency to tire easily and to overexert; Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance; Responds to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance; Tendency to act on impulse; Often have racing, disjointed thoughts; Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don't perspire much.
Pitta Predominant Types: Medium physique, strong, well-built; Sharp mind, good concentration powers; Orderly, focused; Assertive, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; Aggressive, demanding, pushy when out of balance; Competitive, enjoy challenges; Passionate and romantic; Strong digestion, strong appetite, get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal; When under stress, Pittas become irritated and angry; Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily; Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather, heat makes them very tired; Perspire a lot; Good public speakers; Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian; Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger; Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, insomnia, dry or burning eyes.
Kapha Predominant Types: Easygoing, relaxed, slow-paced; Affectionate and loving; Forgiving, compassionate, nonjudgmental nature; Stable and reliable; faithful; Physically strong and with a sturdy, heavier build; Have the most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring; Slow speech, reflecting a deliberate thought process; Slower to learn, but outstanding long-term memory; Soft hair and skin; tendency to have large "soft" eyes and a low, soft voice; Tend toward being overweight; may also suffer from sluggish digestion; Prone to depression; More self-sufficient; Gentle, and essentially undemanding approach to life; Excellent health, good immune system; Very calm; strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings; Not easily upset and can be a point of stability for others; Tend to be possessive and hold on to things. Don't like cold, damp weather; Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems including asthma, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
How do I determine my type?
Most books and websites on Ayurveda will offer questionnaires that can be used to determine your mind/body constitution. My favorite one is offered by Holistic Online, which is very detailed and thorough. Most questionnaires are very similar and will provide similar results. Please keep in mind that shorter questionnaires will give a more generalized and approximate result. Also, your body changes with age, seasons, and life situations so the results will change as well. Taking a few different questionnaires will give you a more definite result for your Dosha type.
I know my Dosha type, now what?
Now you should try to follow the diet and lifestyle routine that fits your mind/body constitution. For example, if you are predominantly Vata, you should include more cooked, warm foods, stay away from icy drinks, and add more warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to your food. This will prevent any digestion issues that Vata types tend to get, as well, as anxiety, dry skin, or insomnia. Here are some general guidelines for each type:
General Health Tips for Vata Types: Maintain regular habits, try to eat and sleep at the same time every night. Get enough rest and choose foods that are warm, cooked, nourishing, and easy to digest. Sweet berries, fruits, small beans, rice, and all nuts and dairy products are good choices for Vata types. Exercise intensity should be moderate. A more meditative yoga, Tai chi, walking, and swimming are all good. Avoid strenuous and frantic activities.
General Health Tips for Pitta Types: It's important for Pittas to keep cool by avoiding overexposure to direct sunlight and fried and spicy foods. Avoid alcohol and tobacco, overworking, and overheating. When aggravated, susceptible to feeling negative emotions like hostility, hatred, intolerance, and jealousy. Choose fresh vegetables and fruits that are watery and sweet, especially cherries, mangoes, cucumbers, water melon, and avocado. Have lots of salads with dark greens such as arugula, dandelions, and kale. Avoid conflicts. Cultivate the virtues of honesty, morality, kindness, generosity, and self-control.
General Health Tips For Kapha Types
It's important to be active on a daily basis as Kapha types are prone to sluggishness, depression, and being overweight. Getting out of the house and actively seeking new experiences is also recommended. Be receptive to useful change, be intentional in implementing life-enhancing actions. Choose foods that are light, warm, and spicy. Tea with dried ginger and lemon is a great pick-me-up for Kaphas. Avoid heavy oily and processed sugars, which are detrimental to Kaphas. Use lots of spices such as black pepper, ginger, cumin, chili and lots of bitter dark greens.
SOURCE:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-1117/Ayurveda-Dosha-Types-for-Beginners.html
What are some foods corresponding to Ayurveda's six tastes?
Kulreet Chaudhary, MD
https://www.sharecare.com/health/weight-loss-strategies/what-foods-ayurvedas-six-tastes Neurology Ayurveda, the ancient medical system of India, recognizes 6 tastes -- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. It is easy to thing of examples of sweet tastes (apple pie), salty tastes (potato chips), and sour tastes (lemons). But how often do you think of bitter, pungent, and astringent foods? Each taste is necessary in order for your mind to feel satiated after a meal. Adding a variety of foods with different tastes to your meals will not only help you eat less, but it will also give you an assortment of nutrients so you can achieve all of your health goals.
Sweet:
Most grains such as wheat, rice, barley, and corn - Pulses (legumes), such as beans, lentils, and peas - Milk and sweet milk products such as ghee, cream, and butter - Sweet fruits (especially dried) such as dates, figs, grapes, pear, coconut, and mango - Cooked vegetables such as potato, sweet potato, carrot, beetroot, cauliflower, and string beans - Sugar in any form such as raw, refines, brown, white, molasses, and sugar cane juice.
Sweet (decreases Vata and Pitta, increases Kapha)
The sweet taste is comprised of water and earth, and is good for balancing Vata and Pitta. Of the six tastes, sweet is known to be the most grounding and nourishing. When eaten in moderation, it promotes longevity, strength, and healthy bodily fluids and tissues.
If you’re trying to gain weight, sweet is the taste to emphasize. Its heavy, oily, and moist attributes slow digestion.
The sweet taste is prominent in foods such as wheat, rice, dairy, cereals, dates, pumpkins, maple syrup, and licorice root. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Sour: - Sour fruits such as lemon, lime, sour orange, sour pineapple, passion fruit, sour cherries, plum, and tamarind - Sour milk products such as yogurt, cheese, whey, and sour cream - Fermented substances (other than cultured milk products) such as wine, vinegar, soy sauce, or sour cabbage - Carbonated beverages (including soft drinks or beer)
Sour (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)
The sour taste consists of water and fire. It stimulates appetite and saliva production, and is balancing in its light, heating, and oily properties. The sour taste awakens the thoughts and emotions, and can improve appetite, digestion, and elimination. It needs to be eaten in moderation because if you eat it in excess, it can quickly lead to aggression in the body.Some sour foods are lemon, vinegars, pickled and fermented foods, tamarind, and wine.
-https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Salty: - Any kind of salt such as rock salt, sea salt, and salt from the ground - Any food to which salt has been added
Salty (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)
The salty taste consists of earth and fire. It’s best for Vata because of its grounding and hydrating nature. Its heat may aggravate Pitta and Kapha. It also adds taste to foods, stimulates digestion, helps electrolyte balance, cleanses tissues, and increases absorption of minerals. However, too much salt can have a negative impact on the blood and skin.
Examples of salty foods are sea vegetables, sea salt, tamari, black olives, Himalayan salt, rock salt, and processed foods that contain salt, although processed foods are not an ideal or recommended source of salt. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Pungent: - Spices such as chili, black pepper, mustard seeds, ginger, cumin, cloves, cardamom, and garlic - Mild spices such as turmeric, anise, cinnamon, and fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, and mint - Raw vegetables such as radish, onion, and cauliflower
Pungent (increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha)
Fire and air make up the pungent taste. Pungent food is the hottest of all the rasas, and therefore stimulates digestion, improves appetite, clears sinuses, stimulates blood circulation, and heightens the senses. Pungent food may help you think quickly and clearly, and understand complicated matters more easily. Too much pungent food, however, can make you overly critical. Pungent foods will aggravate Pitta quickly and balance Kapha. Vata handles pungent tastes best when they are combined with sour, sweet, or salty foods.
Some examples of pungent foods: hot peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, mustard, and hot spices. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Bitter: - Vegetables such as chicory and bitter gourd; other green leafy vegetables such as spinach, green cabbage, and brussels sprouts - Fruits such as olives, grapefruit, and cocoa - Spices such as fenugreek and turmeric
Bitter (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)
Bitter taste consists of air and space. It’s considered the coolest and lightest of all the tastes. Because of its cool qualities, it’s highly detoxifying and can help remove waste products from the body. Bitter foods also help mental purification by freeing you from passions and sultry emotions. It’s best for Pitta, good for Kapha, and least beneficial for Vata.
Among bitter foods are raw green vegetables, turmeric, and green, black and most herbal teas.
Astringent:
- Turmeric, honey, walnuts, and hazelnuts - Pulses such as beans, lentils, peas - Vegetables such as sprouts, lettuce, and other green leafy vegetables; most raw vegetables - Fruits such as pomegranate, berries, persimmon, rose, apple, and most unripe fruits.
Astringent (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)
The astringent taste is made up of air and earth. It’s cool, dry, and firm. Many beans and legumes are astringent and can cause gas, which is why it’s a taste Vata should eat in moderation. Pitta benefits most from astringent taste’s coolness, and its dry, light attributes balance Kapha. Like bitter food, astringent food will help mentally purify and strengthen you.
Unripe bananas, green grapes, pomegranates, cranberries, green beans, alfalfa sprouts, and okra are all astringent foods. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
SOURCES:
https://www.sharecare.com/health/weight-loss-strategies/what-foods-ayurvedas-six-tastes
https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
In connection with diet Swami has also commented on the Dosas and the Six tastes or Rasas:
“Spiritual health is preserved and promoted by attention to three gunas: Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas. Health is preserved and promoted by attention to the three humors: Vatha (wind), Pittha (bile/fire) and Kapha (Phlegm/water). Tri-dosha has to be avoided, that is to say, the three humors must not get vitiated or unbalanced. A healthy body is the best container for a healthy mind; Illness makes the mind agitated and anxious. The material and the spiritual are the two pans in the balance; they have to be attended to, in equal measure at least until a certain stage of progress is attained in spiritual development.” Sadhana the Inward Path, P. 221
Swami has also stated that the Six tastes must be included in our daily diet in order to ensure good health.
I have included an article that gives a little introduction on the Doshas or energetic constitutions that predominate in our individual bodies. Also, some food lists of the 6 tastes and how they affect the Dosas:
Ayurveda for Beginners
How is Ayurveda different from modern medicine?
In Ayurveda, every individual is unique and there is no diet or lifestyle routine that works for everyone.
Prevention is key. Ayurveda focuses on providing specific advice and guidance on how to maintain physical and emotional health.
Food and lifestyle routines are considered the most important medicine. If you come to an Ayurvedic doctor with a complaint, you are more likely to leave with a recipe than with a prescription for pills.
Ayurveda is based on the principles of three doshas. Doshas are the energies that make up every individual, which perform different physiological functions in the body:
The 3 Dosha types:
1. Vata Dosha -- Energy that controls bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking, and your heartbeat.
In balance: There is creativity and vitality.
Out of balance: Can produce fear and anxiety.
2. Pitta Dosha -- Energy that controls the body's metabolic systems, including digestion, absorption, nutrition, and your body's temperature.
In balance: Leads to contentment and intelligence.
Out of balance: Can cause ulcers and anger.
3. Kapha Dosha -- Energy that controls growth in the body. It supplies water to all body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system.
In balance: Expressed as love and forgiveness.
Out of balance: Can lead to insecurity and envy.
Each person has all three Doshas, but usually one or two dominate. Various Dosha proportions determine one's physiological and personality traits, as well as general likes and dislikes. For example Vata types will prefer hot weather to cold and Kapha types are more likely to crave spicy foods than other types.
Vata Predominant Types: Creative; Quick to learn and grasp new knowledge, but also quick to forget, Slender; Tall and a fast-walker; Tendency toward cold hands and feet, discomfort in cold climates; Excitable, lively, fun personality; Changeable moods; Irregular daily routine; High energy in short bursts; Tendency to tire easily and to overexert; Full of joy and enthusiasm when in balance; Responds to stress with fear, worry, and anxiety, especially when out of balance; Tendency to act on impulse; Often have racing, disjointed thoughts; Generally have dry skin and dry hair and don't perspire much.
Pitta Predominant Types: Medium physique, strong, well-built; Sharp mind, good concentration powers; Orderly, focused; Assertive, self-confident, and entrepreneurial at their best; Aggressive, demanding, pushy when out of balance; Competitive, enjoy challenges; Passionate and romantic; Strong digestion, strong appetite, get irritated if they have to miss or wait for a meal; When under stress, Pittas become irritated and angry; Skin fair or reddish, often with freckles; sunburns easily; Uncomfortable in sun or hot weather, heat makes them very tired; Perspire a lot; Good public speakers; Generally good management and leadership ability, but can become authoritarian; Subject to temper tantrums, impatience, and anger; Typical physical problems include rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, boils, skin cancer, ulcers, heartburn, acid stomach, insomnia, dry or burning eyes.
Kapha Predominant Types: Easygoing, relaxed, slow-paced; Affectionate and loving; Forgiving, compassionate, nonjudgmental nature; Stable and reliable; faithful; Physically strong and with a sturdy, heavier build; Have the most energy of all constitutions, but it is steady and enduring; Slow speech, reflecting a deliberate thought process; Slower to learn, but outstanding long-term memory; Soft hair and skin; tendency to have large "soft" eyes and a low, soft voice; Tend toward being overweight; may also suffer from sluggish digestion; Prone to depression; More self-sufficient; Gentle, and essentially undemanding approach to life; Excellent health, good immune system; Very calm; strive to maintain harmony and peace in their surroundings; Not easily upset and can be a point of stability for others; Tend to be possessive and hold on to things. Don't like cold, damp weather; Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems including asthma, allergies, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
How do I determine my type?
Most books and websites on Ayurveda will offer questionnaires that can be used to determine your mind/body constitution. My favorite one is offered by Holistic Online, which is very detailed and thorough. Most questionnaires are very similar and will provide similar results. Please keep in mind that shorter questionnaires will give a more generalized and approximate result. Also, your body changes with age, seasons, and life situations so the results will change as well. Taking a few different questionnaires will give you a more definite result for your Dosha type.
I know my Dosha type, now what?
Now you should try to follow the diet and lifestyle routine that fits your mind/body constitution. For example, if you are predominantly Vata, you should include more cooked, warm foods, stay away from icy drinks, and add more warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to your food. This will prevent any digestion issues that Vata types tend to get, as well, as anxiety, dry skin, or insomnia. Here are some general guidelines for each type:
General Health Tips for Vata Types: Maintain regular habits, try to eat and sleep at the same time every night. Get enough rest and choose foods that are warm, cooked, nourishing, and easy to digest. Sweet berries, fruits, small beans, rice, and all nuts and dairy products are good choices for Vata types. Exercise intensity should be moderate. A more meditative yoga, Tai chi, walking, and swimming are all good. Avoid strenuous and frantic activities.
General Health Tips for Pitta Types: It's important for Pittas to keep cool by avoiding overexposure to direct sunlight and fried and spicy foods. Avoid alcohol and tobacco, overworking, and overheating. When aggravated, susceptible to feeling negative emotions like hostility, hatred, intolerance, and jealousy. Choose fresh vegetables and fruits that are watery and sweet, especially cherries, mangoes, cucumbers, water melon, and avocado. Have lots of salads with dark greens such as arugula, dandelions, and kale. Avoid conflicts. Cultivate the virtues of honesty, morality, kindness, generosity, and self-control.
General Health Tips For Kapha Types
It's important to be active on a daily basis as Kapha types are prone to sluggishness, depression, and being overweight. Getting out of the house and actively seeking new experiences is also recommended. Be receptive to useful change, be intentional in implementing life-enhancing actions. Choose foods that are light, warm, and spicy. Tea with dried ginger and lemon is a great pick-me-up for Kaphas. Avoid heavy oily and processed sugars, which are detrimental to Kaphas. Use lots of spices such as black pepper, ginger, cumin, chili and lots of bitter dark greens.
SOURCE:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-1117/Ayurveda-Dosha-Types-for-Beginners.html
What are some foods corresponding to Ayurveda's six tastes?
Kulreet Chaudhary, MD
https://www.sharecare.com/health/weight-loss-strategies/what-foods-ayurvedas-six-tastes Neurology Ayurveda, the ancient medical system of India, recognizes 6 tastes -- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent. It is easy to thing of examples of sweet tastes (apple pie), salty tastes (potato chips), and sour tastes (lemons). But how often do you think of bitter, pungent, and astringent foods? Each taste is necessary in order for your mind to feel satiated after a meal. Adding a variety of foods with different tastes to your meals will not only help you eat less, but it will also give you an assortment of nutrients so you can achieve all of your health goals.
Sweet:
Most grains such as wheat, rice, barley, and corn - Pulses (legumes), such as beans, lentils, and peas - Milk and sweet milk products such as ghee, cream, and butter - Sweet fruits (especially dried) such as dates, figs, grapes, pear, coconut, and mango - Cooked vegetables such as potato, sweet potato, carrot, beetroot, cauliflower, and string beans - Sugar in any form such as raw, refines, brown, white, molasses, and sugar cane juice.
Sweet (decreases Vata and Pitta, increases Kapha)
The sweet taste is comprised of water and earth, and is good for balancing Vata and Pitta. Of the six tastes, sweet is known to be the most grounding and nourishing. When eaten in moderation, it promotes longevity, strength, and healthy bodily fluids and tissues.
If you’re trying to gain weight, sweet is the taste to emphasize. Its heavy, oily, and moist attributes slow digestion.
The sweet taste is prominent in foods such as wheat, rice, dairy, cereals, dates, pumpkins, maple syrup, and licorice root. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Sour: - Sour fruits such as lemon, lime, sour orange, sour pineapple, passion fruit, sour cherries, plum, and tamarind - Sour milk products such as yogurt, cheese, whey, and sour cream - Fermented substances (other than cultured milk products) such as wine, vinegar, soy sauce, or sour cabbage - Carbonated beverages (including soft drinks or beer)
Sour (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)
The sour taste consists of water and fire. It stimulates appetite and saliva production, and is balancing in its light, heating, and oily properties. The sour taste awakens the thoughts and emotions, and can improve appetite, digestion, and elimination. It needs to be eaten in moderation because if you eat it in excess, it can quickly lead to aggression in the body.Some sour foods are lemon, vinegars, pickled and fermented foods, tamarind, and wine.
-https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Salty: - Any kind of salt such as rock salt, sea salt, and salt from the ground - Any food to which salt has been added
Salty (decreases Vata, increases Pitta and Kapha)
The salty taste consists of earth and fire. It’s best for Vata because of its grounding and hydrating nature. Its heat may aggravate Pitta and Kapha. It also adds taste to foods, stimulates digestion, helps electrolyte balance, cleanses tissues, and increases absorption of minerals. However, too much salt can have a negative impact on the blood and skin.
Examples of salty foods are sea vegetables, sea salt, tamari, black olives, Himalayan salt, rock salt, and processed foods that contain salt, although processed foods are not an ideal or recommended source of salt. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Pungent: - Spices such as chili, black pepper, mustard seeds, ginger, cumin, cloves, cardamom, and garlic - Mild spices such as turmeric, anise, cinnamon, and fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, and mint - Raw vegetables such as radish, onion, and cauliflower
Pungent (increases Vata and Pitta, decreases Kapha)
Fire and air make up the pungent taste. Pungent food is the hottest of all the rasas, and therefore stimulates digestion, improves appetite, clears sinuses, stimulates blood circulation, and heightens the senses. Pungent food may help you think quickly and clearly, and understand complicated matters more easily. Too much pungent food, however, can make you overly critical. Pungent foods will aggravate Pitta quickly and balance Kapha. Vata handles pungent tastes best when they are combined with sour, sweet, or salty foods.
Some examples of pungent foods: hot peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, mustard, and hot spices. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
Bitter: - Vegetables such as chicory and bitter gourd; other green leafy vegetables such as spinach, green cabbage, and brussels sprouts - Fruits such as olives, grapefruit, and cocoa - Spices such as fenugreek and turmeric
Bitter (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)
Bitter taste consists of air and space. It’s considered the coolest and lightest of all the tastes. Because of its cool qualities, it’s highly detoxifying and can help remove waste products from the body. Bitter foods also help mental purification by freeing you from passions and sultry emotions. It’s best for Pitta, good for Kapha, and least beneficial for Vata.
Among bitter foods are raw green vegetables, turmeric, and green, black and most herbal teas.
Astringent:
- Turmeric, honey, walnuts, and hazelnuts - Pulses such as beans, lentils, peas - Vegetables such as sprouts, lettuce, and other green leafy vegetables; most raw vegetables - Fruits such as pomegranate, berries, persimmon, rose, apple, and most unripe fruits.
Astringent (increases Vata, decreases Pitta and Kapha)
The astringent taste is made up of air and earth. It’s cool, dry, and firm. Many beans and legumes are astringent and can cause gas, which is why it’s a taste Vata should eat in moderation. Pitta benefits most from astringent taste’s coolness, and its dry, light attributes balance Kapha. Like bitter food, astringent food will help mentally purify and strengthen you.
Unripe bananas, green grapes, pomegranates, cranberries, green beans, alfalfa sprouts, and okra are all astringent foods. -https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
SOURCES:
https://www.sharecare.com/health/weight-loss-strategies/what-foods-ayurvedas-six-tastes
https://chopra.com/articles/the-6-tastes-of-ayurveda
