Ayurvedic Rasas & Their Effect on Vata, Pitta, Kapha

An important part of understanding how to choose the combination of rasas is to know how each rasa affects your doshas (vata, pitta and kapha).

Sweet Rasa

It balances vata and pitta and aggravates kapha. This taste is naturally found in foods like rice, milk, basil, dates and cashews.

Sour Rasa

It balances vata and aggravates pitta and kapha. It is naturally found in tomatoes, lemons, and cheese.

Salty taste

It balances vata and aggravates pitta and kapha. It is naturally found in salt. Other than that, it is found in celery and seaweed.

Pungent Rasa

It balances kapha while aggravating pitta and vata. It is found in many herbs and spices, like ginger, chilies and onion.

Bitter Rasa

It balances pitta and kapha, and aggravates vata. This taste is naturally found in coffee, turmeric and dandelion.

Astringent Rasa

It balances pitta and kapha while aggravating vata. It is found in pomegranate, chickpeas and parsley.

Ayurveda advises that the ideal diet should balance all the 6 rasas in a way that all the doshas are pacified and not aggravated.