The Significance of Tongue Color in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The color of the tongue generally has five variations: pale white, light red, red, crimson, and blue-purple. These represent a progression of color intensity.
A pale white tongue indicates deficiency, primarily of both Qi and blood, as well as Yang deficiency. If the tongue is pale white and thin, it signifies deficiency of both Qi and blood. If it is pale white and plump, it indicates Yang deficiency. This is because Yang deficiency cannot warm and transform body fluids, leading to a swollen appearance of the tongue.
A light red tongue is considered a normal tongue appearance. Even in the presence of disease, it typically indicates a milder condition with a good prognosis.
A red tongue indicates heat, which can be either deficient heat or excess heat. To differentiate between the two, one must examine the tongue coating. If the tongue is red with little coating, it indicates Yin deficiency, also known as deficient heat. If the tongue is red with coating, it indicates excess heat.
A crimson tongue is a deeper shade than a red tongue. A red tongue indicates heat, encompassing both excess and deficient heat. Therefore, a crimson tongue is an intensified version of a red tongue, also indicating heat, but typically more severe. Generally, the deeper the color, the more serious the condition. A crimson tongue with a coating indicates excessive internal heat or heat entering the Ying and blood, which is excess heat. A crimson tongue with little or no coating indicates vigorous fire due to Yin deficiency, which is deficient heat.
A blue-purple tongue indicates blood stasis. It can also be seen in congenital heart disease and alcohol poisoning, but it primarily signifies blood stasis.
Written on October 6, 2023, in Beijing