What Your Tongue Reflects About Your Health

A picture is worth a thousand words. What does your tongue reflect about your health?

Observing the tongue is one of the main 4 diagnostic methods to obtain information.
What does a physician look out for in a tongue?

9 Basic Tongue Indications:

NORMAL BODY CONSTITUTION

Pink tongue with thin coating

YIN DEFICIENCY

Red tongue with little/ no coating/ cracks

One is usually thin in size, averse to hot and dry weather, often complains about feeling warm at the palms of the hand and soles of the feet especially in the night, has a dry mouth and nose, frequent thirst, night sweats, and dry stools / constipation.

YANG DEFICIENCY

Pale swollen tongue or with white coating

Averse to cold and prefers extra clothing to keep oneself warm, often complains about feeling cold at the hands, feet and abdomen, often feels unwell after eating cold food, and prone to fertility issues.

QI DEFICIENCY

Pale/pink tongue and teeth marks at the sides

Easily fatigued, susceptible to the common cold or flu bug, prone to panting, perspires easily with little physical activity, tend to overthink and worry, and watery / loose stools.

BLOOD DEFICIENCY

Pale tongue with little / no coating

Easily fatigued, prone to dizziness, palpitations, forgetfulness, poor concentration, and tend to be anaemic.

QI STAGNATION

Tongue with red tip with thin white coating
Prone to mood swings, anxiety / depression, excessive sighing, tight chest, bloated stomach, and excessive dreaming.

DAMP HEAT

Red with yellow greasy coating

Prone to have acne on the face, chest, or back. Often complains of a bitter taste in the mouth, averse to warm and humid weather, excessive secretions / dampness at the reproductive organs, and sticky stools / sense of incomplete defecation.

PHLEGM AND DAMPNESS

Pink/ swollen tongue with thick white coating

Prone to excessive sebum secretions on the face and scalp, excessive phlegm production, chest tightness, sense of heaviness especially in the limbs, often have cravings for food high in fat and sugars, and aversed to humid and wet weather.

BLOOD STASIS

Purple red tongue with black spots

Often have dull complexion and pigmentation on the skin, dark-coloured lips, unknown bruising, prone to bleeding disorders, and abnormal growths in the body.

Tongue Region

In addition, the tongue is divided into sections associated with different organs of the body.

Noting where the characteristics appear on the tongue can help the physician to attain a more accurate diagnosis and treatment method for the patient.

Article by TCM Physician Kang Ting Tan

Note: Information provided is not a substitute for a physician or any form of medical care. Individual symptoms differ due to different body constitutions and diagnosis. One should consult a licensed TCM practitioner for accurate diagnosis and treatment.