In previous educational content, we discussed some causes of an enlarged tongue and a tongue with teeth marks. Many fans sent me pictures of their tongue appearances, and one friend had an enlarged tongue with teeth marks, but his tongue body was purple-dark and did not have a greasy coating. Dr. Jia tells you that this situation is not simply a case of spleen deficiency with excessive dampness.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this friend’s condition is considered to be due to yu xue zhuo zhi (blood stasis), which leads to malnourishment of the tongue body, ultimately resulting in tissue edema. There are many causes of blood stasis, which are generally related to the movement of qi in the body. Typically, qi zhi xue yu (qi stagnation and blood stasis) is quite common.
People with this condition often experience suppressed emotions, high stress, and are prone to anger, which negatively affects the movement of qi, making it difficult to promote blood circulation. Naturally, this leads to blood stasis, resulting in a purple-dark tongue color; when blood is not flowing well, it affects water metabolism. The water and blood in our body work together in the pi wei (spleen and stomach) to transform and transport the essence of food and fluids. Similarly, blood stasis also implies that the body’s fluids are also “stagnant”; when fluids cannot be expelled, it leads to edema, making the body feel like it is submerged in a large pool of water, and the tongue body will naturally become enlarged.
In addition, the body may also exhibit symptoms such as stomach pain, acid reflux, frequent urination with small amounts, easy swelling in the legs, and sensitivity to cold. To resolve this situation, it is essential to invigorate blood circulation and eliminate stasis, as well as to promote qi flow.
Today, Dr. Jia provides you with a formula consisting of pu gong ying (Dandelion), wa leng zi (Hawthorn), yan hu suo (Corydalis), gan song (Licorice), sheng pu huang (Pollen), wuling zhi (Wulingzhi), jiang ban xia (Pinellia), zhi bai bu (Fritillaria), tu fu ling (Smilax), bai zhi (Angelica), jiang huang (Turmeric), xi xin (Asarum), ren shen (Ginseng), and gan cao (Licorice).
In this formula, sheng pu huang, wuling zhi, and jiang huang are used to invigorate blood and eliminate stasis to address blood stasis issues; yan hu suo and gan song can regulate qi, allowing qi to flow smoothly, which in turn promotes blood circulation and helps in the metabolism of fluids; bai zhi and xi xin can relieve pain; bai bu can support the spleen and nourish the stomach, aiding in the transformation and transportation of fluids to generate blood for the body’s use; tu fu ling also strengthens the spleen and stomach while reinforcing the muscles and bones; ban xia can dry dampness and regulate the stomach, helping to expel damp pathogens through the san jiao (triple burner); ren shen tonifies qi and supports the body’s defenses.
The entire formula primarily focuses on invigorating blood and eliminating stasis, with the secondary aim of strengthening the spleen and promoting qi flow. This combination helps to smooth the flow of qi, disperse the stasis, and open the body’s drainage pathways, allowing for normal fluid excretion. With the tongue receiving nourishment from qi and blood, the problem will be resolved.
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