Your Tongue can Reveils About Your Health
The tongue is the most vulnerable part of the body to food residue and bacterial growth. It can also reflect a person's health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), observing the tongue is known as "looking at the tongue" and is a key diagnostic method. By observing the tongue's color, shape, and the thickness and distribution of the tongue coating, TCM practitioners can initially determine whether the body's various internal organs are functioning normally.
Registered Chinese medicine practitioner Xu Zechang said that there is a certain order of observation when "looking at the tongue", usually looking at the tip of the tongue first, then the middle of the tongue, the sides of the tongue, and finally the root of the tongue. In addition, it is necessary to observe the tongue quality (that is, the color and texture of the tongue itself) and the tongue coating (the moss-like substance covering the tongue surface). The tongue images in different positions often correspond to different organs.health statusThe tip of the tongue mostly reflects the function of the heart and lungs; the middle of the tongue is related to the spleen and stomach; the root of the tongue is related to the condition of the kidneys; and the two sides of the tongue are usually closely related to the liver and gallbladder system.
A healthy tongue can be summarized in six words: "Pale pink tongue, thin white coating." This means the tongue should be a light pink, not too bright red or pale. It should be covered with a thin layer of white coating, moist and shiny, and flexible and able to move freely. These are all normal characteristics.
When the tongue is abnormal, it often indicates that there may be problems in certain parts of the body. For example, if the tip of the tongue is bright red or even ulcerated, it is mostly due to "heart fire rising", that is, the heart meridian's virtual fire rises and the internal heat is excessive; if bluish-purple spots appear on both sides of the tongue, it may reflect liver meridian qi stagnation, poor blood circulation, and blood stasis; if the tongue coating becomes thick and sticky, it is common inSpleen and stomach dysfunction, which may be caused by heavy moisture, indigestion or abnormal water metabolism in the body; if the tongue coating peels off, especially in the middle of the tongue, it often indicates insufficient stomach yin, and if the coating peels off at the root of the tongue, it may be related to kidney yin deficiency.
In addition, daily eating habits and lifestyle will also directly affect the appearance of the tongue. For example, people who often drink iced drinks or have weak spleen and stomach tend to have thicker tongue coating, which is white and greasy. People who prefer greasy and fried foods tend to have thicker tongue coating, and the tongue surface looks like it is covered with a layer of grease, similar to the texture of butter. This usually reflectsPoor spleen and stomach function; Long-term lack of exercise,get tired easilyPeople with poor physical strength often have a qi deficiency constitution, and obvious tooth marks are often seen on the edges of their tongue.
It's worth noting that many people, upon seeing a thick, white tongue coating, assume it's a sign of dampness, leading them to frequently consume commercially available dehumidifying teas. However, Dr. Xu Zechang warns that a thick tongue coating isn't solely a sign of dampness; it can also be caused by food stagnation or excessive intake of greasy foods. Indiscriminately consuming dehumidifying teas over a long period of time can actually damage the body's yin fluid, leading to yin deficiency and symptoms like dry mouth, dry skin, and internal heat, all of which can negatively impact health.
While tongue examination is a crucial component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis, Dr. Xu emphasizes that tongue diagnosis is only one component of the four diagnostic methods of inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation. While certain visceral lesions may manifest on the tongue, these findings are not absolute and cannot be used solely as the sole basis for diagnosing a condition. Diseases are often complex, and diagnosis requires a comprehensive analysis in conjunction with the patient's other symptoms, signs, and medical history. Therefore, individuals should avoid self-diagnosis based on tongue examinations, and even more so, avoid self-medication. Instead, they should seek the diagnosis and advice of a professional TCM practitioner for the correct treatment direction.
