Abstract
Ayurveda refers that every Dravya is constituted by five elements i.e. Prithvi (earth), Ap (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air) and Akasha (ether). General principles of Drug action are enumerated as Rasapanchaka i.e. Rasa (taste), Guna (quality), Virya (potency), Vipaka (metabolism) and Prabhava (specific principle). Among them the first four principles are categorized under rational principles while Prabhava is designated as empirical component as its activity is inexplicable. CharakaSamhita (1000 BC) has furnished the assessment of these principles in brief ‘Rasa of Dravya (food/drug) is known by direct perception;Vipaka can only be inferred from its action. As regardsVirya it may sometimes be inferred from its actions on the body and also be known by direct perception’Rasa is identified at tongue level and it depends on individual’s perception. Rasa serves as a tool to infer the Panchabhautika composition of the Dravya and facilitates for identification of spectrum of activity of a particular drug. Acharyas of Ayurveda furnished certain characteristics of individual Rasas along with their actions on the body. Since this principle’s identification depends solely on the individual’s ability to perceive it, a structured proforma is developed to assess the Rasa of non-classical drugs from Ayurvedic perspectives in healthy volunteers.
Key words: Assessment of rasa, Non-classical drugs

Key words: Assessment of rasa, Non-classical drugs