I just finished eating the most delicious, juicy peach. It must be summer in Oklahoma! The sense of taste is one of the most precious, but often underappreciated, abilities we have as human beings. To jump-start awareness and boost enjoyment, Yoga and Ayurveda have some suggestions:

Scrape your tongue Oh, yeah, the tongue carries a lot of bacteria, not all of it the bad kind. First thing in the morning, however, is another story altogether. From lack of swallowing, mouth breathing and use of a CPAP, unhealthy bacteria proliferates on the tongue. This contributes to bad breath and makes seasonal allergies worse. Scrape the tongue from back to front seven times first thing in the morning, even before taking a drink of water. Copper tongue scrapers are the best because they’re antimicrobial, but a stainless steel one does the job too. Follow up with

Swish some oil The lipids which make up oil are amazing at releasing and removing bacteria in the mouth and especially at the gum line. Personal testimony: When I swish oil regularly, my visits to the dental hygienist are much more pleasant because I have less plaque on my teeth and my gums don’t bleed during the cleaning. You can buy flavored oil pulling oils, but it’s just as easy to make your own with sesame oil or coconut oil (the same oils you cook with) mixed with a very small amount of essential oils. Plain oil works great too. Place 1-3 teaspoons of oil in the mouth and swish it around and through the teeth. Start with a minute or two and work up to 20 minutes. You can brush your teeth afterwards if you like, but it’s not necessary.

Eat the six tastes Ayurveda recognizes six tastes: sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent. Each one is associated with a different stage of digestion, so eating all six every day not only keeps the taste buds sharp, but also keeps the digestive system humming along nicely. Try these healthy choices:
-Sweet fruits and vegetables, sweeten with honey or maple syrup
-Salty in moderation, especially if you have heart issues or retain water
-Sour citrus, yogurt, cheese
-Pungent radishes, wasabi, salsa, peppers
-Bitter greens, turmeric, dandelion tea
-Astringent pomegranate, unripe banana, black tea

May your tongue be a source of vitality and joy.

The aroma of bread baking on Sunday morning. The scent of a cologne or perfume worn by a love interest. The familiar smells of the holidays. All of these bring memories to the forefront and solidify the nose as one of our favorite sense organs.

What do Yoga and Ayurveda have to say about our sense of smell?

As one of the five senses, we have the ability to differentiate between many different types of scents. The senses of smell and taste are very much connected too which is why losing the sense of smell often results in loss of appetite as well.

The olfactory nerve travels into the brain very close to the memory center. This is why a certain scent triggers a memory that can transport you to an earlier time. For example, the scent of lily of the valley takes me back to my front yard in Chicago where these lovely little flowers were planted.

Yoga and Ayurveda suggest that we care for our nose in very specific ways:

Neti pot has become quite popular in recent years, especially in areas with high allergens. Truly anyone can benefit from the practice as it can make our nose more sensitive to the variety of scents it will encounter. This little pot looks like a genie bottle with a long spout. Gently pour salt water in one nostril so it flows out the other side. Blow the nose and repeat on the other side. I use mine every morning without fail. And if you are outside all day, you might like using it at night too to wash the allergens away. Look for some instructional videos on YouTube.

Oiling the nose is nice if you tend to get dry nasal passages, especially in the winter months. Sesame oil is a good choice because it is all natural and not too heavy. You can also order Nasya Oil online, a specially formulated sesame oil also that has essential oils and herbs cooked into it. Place a drop or two into each nostril, sniff strongly to draw it in, then gently massage the outside of the nose. This is best done in the morning or afternoon, but not at night because the oil can go into the lungs when you’re lying down.

A scent workout for your nose is helpful in keeping your sense of smell more discriminating. I like to use bottles of essential oils, but you can gather other smells like fruits, spices, herbs, flowers, etc. Choose 5-10 different types of scents: flowery, sweet, hot, spicy, woodsy. Close your eyes as you smell each one; when you can’t see your nose’s abilities become sharper. You might practice with a friend who can mix them up and see if you can guess which one you’re smelling.

May your sense of smell and memory stay sharp!