Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of tongue diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. It is a reliable method of understanding clues into our patient’s health. As someone who loves the intricacies of this practice, I find it not only reliable but easier than pulse diagnosis. Did you know that your tongue can reveal a surprising amount about your patient’s health status?

One of my favourite methods for diagnosing in Chinese medicine is using our observation skills. I remember back in TCM college, after we learned observation, I used to look at everyone on the street, in public transportation and at the gym. Yep, I was the creepy person who stared! But not to judge, it was just to practice my TCM diagnosis 😊

Now, I know what you’re thinking: did people notice me ogling them? Yep! Occasionally, it was a little uncomfortable, but I would just smile. In one instance, I think a guy even thought I was flirting with him! Hahahaha!

The most popular part of observation in Chinese medicine is looking at the tongue! More importantly, every clue we can gather to help us figure out what’s going on with each patient will make us better practitioners.

In addition to that, I often asked friends to show me their tongue, but to my surprise, it seems people are very private about what’s inside their mouths. Even close friends refused! On the other hand, everyone agreed to have their pulse taken. Apparently, tongue observation proved to be much more difficult to practice. Who knew?!

I hope this helps you grasp your tongue diagnosis skills better, whether or not you’re a student or practitioner.

Keep rocking it using TCM,

Clara
TCM Geek

PS: If you’re looking for a resource book to help you with your Chinese medicine foundations and diagnosis, check out my book, Chinese Medicine Made Easy.

 

Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine

 

 

The Basics of Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are four key methods of diagnosis: inquiry, observation, palpation, and listening/smelling. Among these, the tongue plays a crucial role in the observation process. It provides significant insights into a person’s qi, blood, and organ health. During consultations, I typically carry out inquiries alongside observation, checking the demeanour, facial colour, and of course, what we’re focused on in this blog: the tongue.

 

Exploring the Tongue

The tongue is a complex map of your body’s health. The tip represents the heart, while the front correlates with the lungs. The center reflects the spleen and stomach, whereas the sides show conditions of the liver and gallbladder. The tongue’s body colour can indicate various health issues, from blood stasis to internal cold.

A standout feature in TCM is tongue diagnosis, which provides insights into the internal state of organs. The tongue is a fantastic example of reading the body’s signals. The tongue is examined based on:

 

Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine: Colors and Their Meanings

body's signals tongue 5 body colours

  • Red: Indicates heat, which can be caused by excess or deficiency.
  • Crimson: Suggests body fluid exhaustion or excess fire.
  • Purple: Points to blood stasis.
  • Blue: Implies excess internal cold.
  • Pale: Can be a sign of qi, blood, or yang deficiency.

Each colour offers clues about health conditions, which in turn informs treatment plans.

 

The Coating and Moisture

The tongue’s coating and moisture levels are equally telling. A yellow coat is associated with excess heat, while a white coat may indicate excess cold. A gray or black coat might suggest serious disorders. It’s important to note that recent activities like eating coloured foods or smoking can temporarily affect the tongue’s coating.

 

Shape and Characteristics

The shape of the tongue also provides critical information. A thin tongue can mean blood deficiency, whereas a swollen tongue may indicate yang deficiency. Teeth marks on the sides suggest spleen qi deficiency, often stemming from stress. If the tongue is quivering or stiff, it could suggest internal wind or nervousness.

 

Practical Application of Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine

We need to observe all these aspects in detail, combining them with inquiries to form a complete diagnosis. Practicing on a variety of tongues will improve your skills, making diagnosis more intuitive over time. Always remember that tongue diagnosis is just one part of the whole picture, helping us treat patients holistically and effectively.

Understanding the tongue’s signals is vital in TCM, as it offers profound insights into one’s internal health. Whether you’re a student or a practitioner, this journey into tongue diagnosis is as much about the practice as it is about the knowledge.

 

Characteristics of Tongue Body’s Clues to Look for

  • Thin: Blood or Yin deficiency
  • Swollen (Fat): dampness (red body: damp-heat; pale body: Yang def.)
  • Stiff: interior Wind (precursor of stoke!) extreme heat in HT, Phlegm retention
  • Flaccid: Body fluids deficiency, LV & KD Yin extreme exhaustion (if the coat is dry & body deep-red)
  • Long: HT heat
  • Short: interior cold stagnation, or if body red & no coat: extreme Yin deficiency
  • Cracked: Horizontal (ST Yin def.), Midline long crack reaching the tip (HT Yin def.), shallow crack not reaching the tip (ST Yin def.)
  • Deviated: interior Wind
  • Tremor-like (shaking): interior Wind
  • Quivering: SP Qi def.
  • Teeth-marks: SP Qi def., Yang def. (if pale body & wet coat)
  • Prickled (strawberry-like): Excess Toxic heat

 

body's signals tongue observation coating