When we feel unwell and visit a hospital, doctors often ask us to stick out our tongues to examine the changes in the tongue coating. The Huangdi Neijing states: “What is manifested externally must have its roots internally.” Many issues visible on the outside are indicative of changes that have already occurred within the body. Even subtle changes in the tongue coating should not be overlooked!
What Does a Normal Tongue Look Like?
A normal tongue should be“light red with a thin white coating”, characterized by the following features:
1. The tongue body is light red and vibrant, resembling peach blossoms;
2. The tongue coating is thin, white, and moist, evenly distributed across the tongue surface, and cannot be wiped away. It is rooted and integrated with the tongue body, with a balanced moisture level, neither sticky nor greasy;
3. The tongue body is soft and moves freely;
4. Its size, shape, and thickness are moderate, with no abnormal forms.
However, if the body experiences certain ailments, the tongue coating will exhibit corresponding changes. A thick white coating on the tongue indicates that there are some issues within the body.
What Does a Thick White Coating on the Tongue Mean?
1. Excess Dampness in the Body
Excess dampness can lead to a white tongue coating, loose stools, oily hair, chest tightness, acne, and skin rashes. Severe dampness can be addressed through TCM treatment.
2. Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency
One manifestation of spleen and stomach Yang deficiency is a thick white tongue coating, where the white color is relative to the color of the lips. In comparison, the tongue coating appears lighter and whiter. Another phenomenon is that the tongue coating may appear white and dark, indicating blood stasis and Yang deficiency.
3. Poor Dietary Habits
A dry and white tongue coating indicates excessive internal heat, irregular eating habits, and poor blood circulation, leading to insufficient blood supply to the tongue coating.
4. Excessive Stomach Qi
In TCM, the stomach is closely related to the tongue; if the stomach is uncomfortable, the tongue will show signs of whiteness. Therefore, if you feel a vague discomfort in the stomach, it may be due to excessive stomach Qi.
How to Improve a Thick White Tongue Coating?
1. Pay Attention to Diet:
Consume foods that dispel dampness, maintain a light diet, and include foods like adzuki beans, lentils, mung beans, red beans, and chicken bone soup. Regularly drinking red bean and coix seed porridge can help improve the condition; avoid cold and raw foods, especially watermelon, dragon fruit, kiwi, ice cream, beer, and carbonated drinks; eat foods that nourish the spleen, such as shiitake mushrooms, yam, and red dates, which are beneficial for the body.
2. Properly Clean the Tongue Coating:
The presence of a thick white tongue coating may also be related to inadequate cleaning, so when brushing your teeth, be sure to gently clean the tongue coating with your toothbrush.
3. Keep Warm:
Pay special attention to keeping warm in areas such as the neck, shoulders, abdomen, lower back, lower abdomen, and ankles to prevent cold pathogens from invading the body, which can deplete the already insufficient Yang Qi. Regular physical exercise is also important.
A thick white tongue coating should not cause excessive worry; you can make good adjustments to your lifestyle based on your situation. If you find it difficult to assess your condition, consider consulting a TCM practitioner for diagnosis and timely treatment to prevent the onset of other diseases.
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