Rasa is more than just a sensation on the tongue!
According to Ayurveda, everything living and non-living, in the Universe is made up of Mahabhutas^ and each distinct species or thing has its own characteristics due to the variation in the combination of Mahabhutas. Each of the five senses is represented by one of these five elements. Rasa or taste related to water.
Rasa or taste according to Ayurveda mainly consists of two Bhutas*: Prithvi (Earth), Ap (water) and the variations of the remaining three Panchbhutas are giving each substance its own Rasa. Every substance contains at least a little of six rasas and they are: Svadu/Madhura (Sweet), Amla (Sour), Lavana(Salty), Tikta (Bitter), Ushna/Katu (Pungent) and Kashaya — Astringent. They are present in varying amounts in each substance, and this variation gives each substance a distinct flavor. For example, more Amla flavor in a lemon.
There are numerous tastes due to variations in the combination of substances used, but the category of taste is restricted to six because they’re formed only by Mahabhutas.
According to Charaka Samhita, Rasa mainly performs two actions: elimination and pacification. Rasa if used properly used nourishes the body; otherwise it can negatively affect the balance of doshas#.
According to Ayurveda, each rasa has its own benefits and dosha (if used in excess/alone) and these give us a clear idea of how to maintain a healthy body. The important advantages and disadvantages of the six rasas are as follows:
1. Madhura (Sweet)
Its Benefits are: Promotes ojas@, all dhatus^, longevity, strength and lustre; Reduces pitta& and fainting; Beneficial for skin and hair.
® Drawbacks are: Causes obesity, laxity, excessive sleep, and hardening of the bowel; Mucous lining of the bladder and throat.
2. Amla (Sour)
® Benefits are: Strengthen Agni or Digestive power; Energize the body and awaken the mind; Strengthen the sense organs.
® Drawbacks are: Causes thirst and burning sensation in the throat and chest, develops body hairs, and affects blood morbidity.
3. Lavana (Salty)
® Its Benefits are: it is an appetizer, depressant, and laxative; cleanses channels; it can overshadow all the rasas.
® Drawbacks are: cause thirst, fainting and increasing skin diseases; damage potency; hinders sense organs; causing wrinkles, greying of hairs and baldness; Overuse causes the accumulation of the doshas.
4. Katuka (Pungent)
® Its Benefits are: cleans the mouth, stimulates digestion, makes the sense organs clear, destroys itching, and check the coagulation of blood
® Drawbacks are: depression, mental confusion, loss of strength and thirst, burning in throat and hot body.
5. Tikta (Bitter)
® Its Benefits are: It relieves s burning, thirst and itching sensation. Brings firmness to skin and muscles. it is antipyretic and appetizer.
® Drawbacks are: it can dry out all the dhatus. It can carry off strength and creates emaciation and mental confusion.
6. Kasaya (Astringent)
® Its Benefits are: it can calm kapha, rakta and pitta. It has healing and soothing properties.
® Drawbacks are: it can cause heartache, interfere with voice and slow down the movement of channels. It can also lead to impotence and gas formation during digestion
This clearly shows that food can also act as a poison. While eating, you should not try to satisfy only your tongue, but should pay attention to your overall health. Eat wisely and be healthy.
Food Notes
Mahabhutas or Great elements are Mahabhutas Prithvi(Earth), Ap(water), Tejas(fire), Vayu(air) and Akasa (Sky/Ether).
Bhutas*- Fundamental elements.
Doshas# are forces in the body and when they are in balance, the human body feels healthy.
ojas@-vigor.
dhatus^- Tissues.
pitta&- is one of the thridhosa and also denotes a body type.
