Kashaya rasa is one among six tastes elaborated in Ayurveda. Kashaya rasa is an astringent taste. When you eat food that is astringent in taste like raw banana, pomegranate, betel nut, etc, you feel your throat is dried and choking. The taste which brings this feeling is known as kashaya rasa or कण्टस्य कषनात् .
When we consume foods or herbs with this taste, they cause temporary loss of taste on the tongue.
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Concept of 6 Tastes or Shad-Rasa in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Properties of Foods that have Kashaya Rasa
The foods that have this taste usually cause the drying up of body tissues ( rooksha), they act as body coolants ( sheeta ), and are heavy to digest (guru). They increase vata dosha and balance pitta dosha and kapha dosha.
According to the principles of Ayurveda, kashaya rasa, or astringent taste is composed of the earth (prithvi) and air (vayu) elements. The foods and herbs which have this taste reduce Kapha and pitta. Earth and air when combined act as sand and show rough ad drying properties. This is the opposite of Kapha dosha. Hence these foods help to balance kapha dosha. Air and sand together put off the fire. Hence astringent foods pacify body fire or pitta dosha.
Haritaki, vibhitaki, khadira, betel nut, honey, Ashes of coral and pearl, khrajura (dates), lotus ( kamala), amra beeja ( mango kernel), butter milk etc are astringent to taste.
Effect of Astringent Foods and Herbs on Humans
Texts of Ayurveda explain the effect of astringent foods on the human body and mind as follows.
- These foods and herbs help to pacify pitta dosha and kapha dosha
- It is guru hence heavy to digest
- These foods and herbs help to purify the blood and help in detox.
- When applied externally they cause compressing pain. When consumed internally can aggravate vata and exaggerate pain.
- Astringent herbs when applied externally accelerate wound healing.
- Acts as a body coolant ( sheeta)
- These types of foods and herbs absorb water from body tissues and dry up body fat. They reduce body weight and can cause a skinny and weak body. ( kaarshya).
- When consumed more than the prescribed dosage can stop the elimination of toxins.
- These types of foods and herbs are recommended for diarrhea, dysentery, and Irritable bowel syndrome, as they help to reduce the frequency of bowel movement.
- It beautifies the skin and reduces acne, pimple, and blemishes.
- When these foods and herbs are consumed in excess they cause constipation, bloating, and chest pain. When these are consumed for a very long time, they cause excess thirst, loss of fat and muscle, klaibya or erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, clogging of srotas or microchannels, and constipation.
It is very difficult for the body to digest these types of foods or herbs, when consumed in large quantities. But when used in therapeutic dosages these herbs purify the blood, heal ulcers, help in weight loss, and cleanse the skin. Astringent herbs and foods have cold potency and absorb moisture from the body. They cause dryness of tissues and constrict microchannels. Hence they are used in anti-wrinkle face packs.
When kashaya or astringent-tasting foods are used in excess, they cause indigestion, excess thirst, emaciation, constipation, and loss of libido (impotence or erectile dysfunction).
These foods and herbs help to reduce food cravings and hunger pangs. Hence these are recommended for diabetes patients who are obese.
Consult Dr.Savitha Suri for Ayurvedic remedies. Email drsavithasuri@gmail.com .
Author : Dr. Savitha Suri Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
