In theory, our body is our own, and we should be the masters of our health. However, it is evident that most people’s health is handed over to doctors, making them the passive party, which should not be the case! In fact, observing our own physical condition is not that difficult. You can look at your tongue, right? You can distinguish the color of the tongue coating and the tongue body, right? Okay, as long as you master the changes in tongue appearance, the subtle changes in your body will not escape your notice!
As we have discussed, observing the tongue mainly involves examining the changes in the tongue body and tongue coating. The tongue body, also known as the tongue muscle, is the muscular and vascular structure of the tongue. The tongue coating is a layer of coating attached to the tongue body, generated by the stomach qi. Last time, we detailed how the tongue coating reflects health; today, let’s take a look at how the tongue body changes with the body!
What is a normal tongue body?
The tongue is the sprout of the heart and the external manifestation of the spleen. The coating is generated by the stomach qi, while the tongue body reflects the state of the organs, the balance of qi and blood. The normal tongue body should move freely, be soft and flexible, have a light red color that is bright and moist, not too thick or thin, not too old or too young, of moderate size, and without abnormal shape. When observing the tongue body, we mainly focus on four aspects: tongue spirit, tongue color, tongue shape, and tongue state. Among these, tongue spirit and tongue state are relatively complex and can typically only be assessed by a TCM doctor, so our daily observation of the tongue body mainly starts from tongue color and tongue shape!
Pay attention to changes in tongue color!
The normal tongue body should be light red, but when there are issues in the body, the color of the tongue body will change. There are two directions for this change: it may become pale white or become redder!
When the tongue body becomes pale white
If the color of the tongue body is pale white and not very red, consider two possibilities: either blood deficiency or internal cold with insufficient yang qi!
Blood deficiency is characterized by a state of insufficient blood in the body. Blood circulates in the vessels, nourishing and moistening the internal organs and tissues, maintaining normal physiological activities. If blood is deficient, its nourishing and moistening effects will weaken, leading to insufficient spirit, fatigue, and a pale complexion. This is reflected in the tongue appearance as pale and lacking luster, indicating that the body needs to tonify blood!
↓ Blood Deficiency Tongue Appearance ↓
If blood deficiency is ruled out, then the pale tongue body may be due to internal cold or insufficient yang qi! When the external temperature is low, the body is also susceptible to cold evil, and at this time, the tongue body color will tend towards white. When yang qi is insufficient, yang deficiency leads to internal cold, and the ability of qi and blood to circulate is also poor, resulting in a tongue body that cannot be rosy!
When the tongue body becomes redder
If the color of the tongue body turns red, it indicates an increase in internal heat; the more severe the heat, the deeper the red color, progressing from red to crimson to purple!
The color of the tongue body may be related to the external environment. For example, in cold winter, people’s tongue bodies may appear slightly white, while in hot summer, the tongue body may become rosy, indicating that the qi and blood in the body are abundant!
When external evils invade and transform into heat syndrome, our tongue body will also turn red. For instance, when you experience a sore throat or fever, observing the tongue appearance will show a reddish hue!
It is well known that a red tongue with a thin coating is a typical symptom of yin deficiency; yin deficiency generates internal heat, so the tongue body will naturally be red!
↓ Yin Deficiency Tongue Appearance ↓
The tongue body can also change shape!
When we stick out our tongues, we may notice that some people have a larger tongue body, while others have a pointed tongue shape. How can the tongue body have different shapes? Of course, different constitutions lead to different tongue bodies!
Fat tongue
A tongue body that is larger than normal, extending to fill the mouth, is caused by water retention and phlegm. A pale white, plump tongue with a slippery coating indicates spleen and kidney yang deficiency with water retention; a light red, plump tongue with a yellow greasy coating indicates damp-heat phlegm turbidity.
↓ Phlegm-Damp Tongue Appearance ↓
Scalloped tongue
A scalloped tongue, also known as a tooth-marked tongue, has indentations along the edges, often seen with a fat tongue, caused by spleen deficiency or excess dampness. If the tongue edges have tooth marks and the person is stout, the tongue body is also plump; if there are no obvious discomforts, it is due to being overweight. TCM theory states that “overweight individuals often have phlegm and dampness”; such individuals should eat less greasy and hard-to-digest foods, consume more vegetables, fruits, and light foods, and exercise appropriately. If the tongue coating is thick and yellow, and the edges have tooth marks, with loss of appetite, abdominal distension, and loose stools, it indicates excessive phlegm and dampness, requiring a light diet along with medicinal treatment.
Pointed tongue
Some people have a distinctly pointed tongue when they stick it out. This is often caused by liver qi stagnation! People who are easily angered, have emotional instability, or are prone to heat are likely to have this tongue shape! At this time, everyone should adjust their emotions, go out for travel, and find joy from within; only then can the body improve. Additionally, one can take Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer) for adjustment!
↓ Liver Qi Stagnation Tongue Appearance ↓
Did you see that? Your body has changes, and the tongue appearance knows it all. The tongue coating and tongue body are conveying information to you in their own way! Therefore, we must learn the basics of tongue diagnosis and not ignore the changes in tongue appearance!
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