15/02/2026
Exploring natural environments, wild foraging and discovering beauty present by coasts, is one of my favourite activities to engage with. It helps me to connect to nature’s seasons and be more aligned to these ever changing cycles. Being by the sea makes you notice salty flavours present in many things 🪸
One of Ayurveda’s 6 tastes, salty (lavana rasa) is made up of water and fire elements. The fire element gives it that heating and warming quality and helps digestion when consumed in moderation. Therefore It’s good for Vata types, and for the same reason, less for Pitta. Water in salty taste provides heavy and nourishing quality, that keeps us grounded. It tends to create weight gain through stimulating water retention in Kapha types but do not increase our capacity for weight gain as much as sweet taste. Taken in moderation promotes growth, maintains electrolyte balance in the body, stimulates digestion, and provides energy and muscular strength (mamsa dhatu). It enhances confidence, courage and enthusiasm. Without any salty taste in food we aggregate Vata dosha, loose creativity, become dull, depressed and fatigue, and lack interest in life. Excess use of salt can aggravate Kapha and Pitta, but particularly sea salt, table salt and salt present in processed foods. It contributes to fainting, wrinkles, irritation, exhaustion and inflammation of the stomach.
Lavana comes from natural sources such as mineral rock salt, sea vegetables (seaweeds), algae, tomatoes and juicy vegetables. Particularly sea vegetables, they are full of minerals and nutrients that the body can easily absorb and counter the effect of radiation. Use in moderate amounts and cook into your food rather than adding after cooking. Enjoy exploring salty flavour with other 5 tastes to maintain your doshas balance and Agni happy 🌝
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