Tongue Diagnosis
Tongue diagnosis is one of the most important diagnostic tools for TCM practitioners. Even though it is harder to determine exactly which Qi channel is affected using this method, it is more objective than pulse diagnosis and is not altered by short-term influences such as white coat syndrome. (1)
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The base of the tongue is reflective of the kidneys, bladder, small and large intestine meridians. (1)
The middle portion of the tongue is reflective of the liver, gallbladder, stomach and spleen meridians with the stomach and spleen meridians concentrated primary in the center of the tongue. (1)
The tip of the tongue is dominated by the heart and lungs meridians. (1)
Colour of the tongue
The colour of the tongue is also part of the diagnosis. A normal tongue is pink. A pale tongue indicates yang, blood and or Qi deficiency. A red tongue means there are excess internal heat. A dark red/ scarlet tongue indicates extreme internal heat. A purple tongue indicates blood and or Qi stagnation. A blue tongue indicates severe blood stagnation or internal cold. (1)
Coating of the tongue
The coating of the tongue is also part of the diagnosis. A moist looking tongue with a thin white coat in the center and faints in colour and thickness as you approach the edges of the tongue is indicative of a healthy stomach and spleen. A thick coat is indicative of phlegm build up and accumulation of dampness internally. A dry looking tongue is indicative of too much yang and deficiency in internal fluids. A moist looking tongue is indicative of too much yin and phlegm build up. (1)
The colour of the coating on the tongue is also part of the diagnosis. A white coat is indicative of excessive internal yin and or constant exposure to external cold. A yellow coat is indicative of excessive internal yang and or constant exposure to external heat. A gray coat is indicative of internal imbalance and a black coat is indicative of severe internal imbalance. (1)
The colour of the tongue is also part of the diagnosis. A normal tongue is pink. A pale tongue indicates yang, blood and or Qi deficiency. A red tongue means there are excess internal heat. A dark red/ scarlet tongue indicates extreme internal heat. A purple tongue indicates blood and or Qi stagnation. A blue tongue indicates severe blood stagnation or internal cold. (1)
Coating of the tongue
The coating of the tongue is also part of the diagnosis. A moist looking tongue with a thin white coat in the center and faints in colour and thickness as you approach the edges of the tongue is indicative of a healthy stomach and spleen. A thick coat is indicative of phlegm build up and accumulation of dampness internally. A dry looking tongue is indicative of too much yang and deficiency in internal fluids. A moist looking tongue is indicative of too much yin and phlegm build up. (1)
The colour of the coating on the tongue is also part of the diagnosis. A white coat is indicative of excessive internal yin and or constant exposure to external cold. A yellow coat is indicative of excessive internal yang and or constant exposure to external heat. A gray coat is indicative of internal imbalance and a black coat is indicative of severe internal imbalance. (1)
Reference:
1. Tongue diagnosis. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/chinese/tongue_diagnosis. Accessed July 3, 2013
Image- Tongue diagnosis. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/chinese/tongue_diagnosis. Accessed July 3, 2013
1. Tongue diagnosis. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/chinese/tongue_diagnosis. Accessed July 3, 2013
Image- Tongue diagnosis. http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/chinese/tongue_diagnosis. Accessed July 3, 2013