Herbalism: Understanding the Concept of Tastes

Tastes in Herbalism

• Herbalists use the term "taste" to describe the properties and uses of herbs, based on organoleptic observation, which involves observing how herbs make us feel using our senses.
• There are different classification systems, including Ayurvedic (six tastes) and Chinese herbalism (five tastes).

Nine Tastes in Herbalism

• Sweet: sweet-tasting herbs are often moistening, nutritive, and tonic, with adaptogenic, demulcent, emollient, and expectorant properties, balancing Vata and Pitta.
  • Examples: Astragalus, basil, bay leaf, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, fennel, mint, liquorice, nutmeg, saffron, tarragon, vanilla.
• Sour: sour herbs may be astringent, stimulating to digestion, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, balancing Vata.
  • Examples: Hawthorn, rose hips, lemon, grapefruit, lime juice, garlic, savory.
• Salty: salty herbs are usually cooling and drying, nutritive, and rich in minerals, balancing Vata.
  • Examples: Celery, Nettle leaf, chickweed aerial parts, Seaweed.
• Bitter: bitter herbs may stimulate digestion, are cooling, and balance Pitta and Kapha, but should be minimized during pregnancy.
  • Examples: Dandelion, burdock root, cumin, dill, fenugreek, saffron, turmeric, yellow dock.
• Pungent: pungent herbs are strong-tasting, warming, and drying, used as carminative, diaphoretics, circulatory stimulants, vasodilators, or digestive stimulants, balancing Kapha.
  • Examples: Black pepper, cardamom, cayenne, cloves, garlic bulb, ginger, hing, horseradish, mustard seeds, paprika.
• Astringent: astringent herbs are drying, toning to the skin and mucous membranes, cooling excess heat, and reducing sweating, balancing Pitta and Kapha.
  • Examples: Basil, bay leaf, black tea, caraway, coriander, dill, fennel, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, poppy seeds, rosemary, saffron, turmeric, vanilla, witch hazel.
• Spicy: spicy herbs are stimulating, often having an affinity for the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems.
  • Examples: Cayenne pepper, oregano.
• Acrid: acrid herbs have an irritating sensation in the mouth, are often analgesic and antispasmodic.
  • Examples: Kava root, black cohosh.
• Bland: bland herbs are cooling, often having a slippery texture associated with mucilage.
  • Examples: Slippery elm bark.