Pungent

Pungent foods cleanse the mouth, aid absorption of food, boost hunger and promote digestion. ¹ 

The vata increasing impact of pungent foods is especially high.

Attributes:

• Is the hottest and the driest amongst all the tastes.
• Is light.

Potency: Cold Potency ¹

Post-Digestive Taste: Pungent Vipaka ¹

Elements associated ¹:

• Air
• Fire

Seasons to consume Pungent Foods:

• Spring ³

Relationship with Malas (waste): Helps in retaining waste products. ¹

Categorisation on the basis of digestion: Vidahi (causes excessive thirst, acidity and heartburn) ¹

Physical Features: ²

• Heals throat diseases.
• Heals allergic rashes and skin disorders, edema, ulcers and swelling.
• Improves efficiency of sense organs ¹
• Disposes of sticky waste products from eyes, nose ¹
• Dries oiliness, fat, and water.
• Helps in managing obesity ¹
• Helps in managing conjunctivitis and eye fatigue ¹
• Promotes hunger, taste, and digestion.
• Breaks up hard masses.
• Expands body channels. 
• Helpful for those suffering from bronchial asthma ¹

Mental Features:

Each of the six tastes produces or enhances a certain emotion when eaten. The emotion associated with pungent taste is anger. ² 

• Opens the mind and senses 

If it is consumed in excess, it becomes a cause of ²:

• Causes thirst.
• Causes fainting.
• Can cause tremors and pains.
• Depletes reproductive fluid and strength.
• Increased body temperature and body aches. ¹

Foods that are pungent but don't have negative effects associated with those ¹:

• Dry ginger
• Long pepper
• Garlic

References:

1. A Practical Approach To The Science of Ayurveda - Acharya Balakrishna
2. The Ayurvedic Encyclopedia - Natural secrets to healing, prevention and longevity - Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha
3. Bhojanakuthalam - Pg 484