Features of the Panchamahabhutas (Five Elements)

Agni (fire)

Properties – rough, hot, sharp, dry, subtle, weightless, and controls the luster of the body
Action - produces heat and light; assists in digestion and growth; aids eyesight
Facilitates - sight
Sense organs - eyes
Substance - anything combustible and spicy
Example - chilies, ginger, pepper, clove, cumin
While intaking - increases digestion, metabolism (fire and heat), glow and color of skin

Ākāśa (Sky)
Properties - soft, light, subtle, porous, profuse
Action - provides natural space, looseness, openness
Facilitates – hearing sound
Sense organs - skin
Substance - light, abundant, and ethereal substance
Example - hollow and light foods
While intaking - offers softness and lightness in our body

Vāyu (air)
Properties - light, clear, mobile, cool, dry, porous and subtle
Action – offers motion or movement, evaporation, dryness, and dryness
Facilitates - touching
Sense organs - skin
Substance - dry and airy substances
Example - biscuits, cookies, cabbage, beans, and apples
While intaking - gives coolness, dryness, movement, and circulation

Jal (water)
Properties – cool, moist, and heavy fluid, sweet and pungent, sour and salty taste
Action - gives glossiness, increases fluid content, offers softness and coolness

Facilitates - tasting
Sense organs - tongue
Substance - anything liquid, fluid or watery
Example - drinks, soups, melons, cucumber
While intaking - offers smoothness and coolness

Pṛthvī (Earth)
Properties - heavy, static, compressed, rough, cathartic, and slow
Actions- offers firmness and strength, gives nutrient, and offers softness and coolness to the skin
Facilitates – smelling
Sense organs - nose
Substance - anything solid and heavy
Example - fried foods, cheese, cakes, banana
While intaking – gives heaviness, stability, and solidity in the body