HeyMonicaB: A Blooming Resource on Ayurveda

Tasty!! Taste is the 4th sense. For some background before delving into the 4th sense, see the overview. You may also want to check out hear, see, and touch.

Ah, so taste! Why is it important? Digestion starts in the mouth with the saliva and teeth, so what we taste has a direct effect on our digestion. When we taste something sweet more moisture is brought to the mouth whereas if we taste something astringent it may make us pucker. And so? Proper digestion is of A #1 importance in Ayurveda – because if it’s off it creates ama, which is responsible for 90% of all disease.

When we can’t taste, we are likely to eat less, right? But just because we eat less, doesn’t mean we are digesting it properly…cause our mind is like “yuck, bleh.” On the flip side, when food is overly flavorful or too salty we may go back for seconds even if we are not hungry- because it’s soooo tasty. Over eating causes ama and weak agni and we know it’s just not a good thing.

The goal is to find a middle ground. Enhancing meals with spices (without salt) will add flavors that work with the body and help us feel satiated with a smaller amount. The taste will satisfy us without over enhancing our ego (like salt does), which increases the desire for more more more. However, when taste is too bland, our body is not “inspired” and then our mouth doesn’t water. And then digestion is stunted from the get go! That’s no good either.

Best is to spice foods without using too much salt and we will stay on track for the most part. If we bring our attention to the sense of taste, we will begin to understand how important it really is. It drives our digestion and is responsible for making sure the entire body has been nourished. More details to come on the 6 tastes in Ayurveda and how they balance (or throw off balance) the doshas…