Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c9.24

c9.24

§ 23. Properties of Medicines :— A number of general qualities and effects are attributed to the medicines as well as to the articles along with their specific effects in individual diseases. The six kinds of rasa— taste, are of special importance. They are : sweet, sour, salt, pungent, bitter and astringent. 1. The sweet causes stickiness in the mouth, increases the phlegm, chyle, blood, flesh etc., appeases thirst and hunger, delights and pleases, and causes many ailments like cough, asthma, flatulence, maggots, goiter, elephantiasis etc. when taken excessively. 2. The sour causes sensitiveness of the teeth, salivation and appetite, helps digestion, is mostly agreeable, but causes pus formation in wounds and ulcers and on account of the heat-producing nature of sour substances causes burning in throat, chest and heart if used in excess. 3. The salt purifies and stimulates digestion, but causes itch, tumour and other ailments if taken in excess. 4. The pungent provokes appetite and digestion, lessens the corpulence but its excessive use leads to nervous pain in hands and feet etc. 5. The bitter acts favourably on appetite and digestion, but causes convulsions, headache and the like by excessive use. 6. The astringent cures and purifies wounds, but causes convulsions cramps and the like by excessive use. All important medicines and articles of food are put by Su 1.42 in one of these six groups. In medical glossaries also the taste of every stuff is given.