L8 Ayurveda - Diagnostics: Tongue Flashcards
What is the primary purpose of the Ayurvedic tongue map?
To identify organ imbalances in relation to Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
The tongue map is similar to the TCM tongue map but has specific features that indicate health conditions.
In Ayurveda, where is the heart located on the tongue map?
Slightly further back than in TCM
This positioning reflects the differences between Ayurvedic and TCM interpretations.
What does a thick coating on the tongue indicate?
The presence of Ama (undigested food toxins)
Ama is considered the ‘Mother’ of disease in Ayurveda.
What tongue characteristics indicate a Vata constitution?
Thin, trembling, dark, dull, dry, cracked, small or irregular in shape
These features reflect the qualities associated with the Vata dosha.
What tongue characteristics indicate a Pitta constitution?
Medium sized, red/pink, may be long, pointed and pushed out forcefully
The Pitta characteristics are linked to its fiery nature.
What tongue characteristics indicate a Kapha constitution?
Thick, large, roundish, pale, smooth, swollen appearance
These features are indicative of the heavier, more stable qualities of Kapha.
Which region of the tongue corresponds to Vata?
Back region
This area is associated with the large intestine, the main site of Vata.
Which region of the tongue corresponds to Pitta?
Central region
The small intestine is the main site of Pitta, located in this area of the tongue.
Which region of the tongue corresponds to Kapha?
Front region
The lungs are the main site of Kapha, represented in this section of the tongue.
What do notable features like bumps and depressions on the tongue indicate?
Inflamed, congested, or underperforming organs
These features can provide insights into the health status of various organs.
What does a thin tongue coating indicate?
It is normal and reflects constitution
What does a thick tongue coating indicate?
Ama (undigested food toxins)
What does a brownish/grey tongue coating signify?
Vata Ama
What does a yellow/green tongue coating signify?
Pitta Ama
What does a white tongue coating signify?
Kapha Ama
What can the location of the tongue coating reveal?
Which organs may be negatively affected by toxicity based on tongue map
What are the signs that may indicate Vata disturbance?
• Small cracks all over the tongue.
• Tongue tremor.
• Dry, dark pink tongue.
• Dry film over the back of the tongue.
• Bumps on kidney points or colon area.
• Coating over large / small intestine.
• Rough back region / general roughness.
What does a dry, dark pink tongue indicate in terms of Vata disturbance?
Sensitive nerves, fear, anxiety, nervous indigestion, insecurity.
What emotional issues are associated with Vata tongue signs?
Fear, anxiety, insecurity.
What physical issues are indicated by Vata tongue signs?
Poor absorption problems, nervous indigestion.
Fill in the blank: A dry film over the back of the tongue is a sign of _______.
Vata disturbance.
True or False: Bumps on kidney points or colon area can indicate Vata disturbance.
True.
What does a rough back region indicate in terms of Vata disturbance?
General roughness associated with Vata disturbance.
What are signs that may indicate Pitta disturbance?
• Red / pink tongue
• White ulcers, red spots
• Bumps on liver, spleen, pancreas areas
• Green / yellow coating esp. with red margin
• Coating on the middle region of tongue
• Red patches over digestive / other organs
• Bright red tongue with cracks
These signs reflect various physical manifestations associated with Pitta imbalance.
What does a red/pink tongue indicate in the context of Pitta disturbance?
Potential Pitta disturbance
A red or pink tongue can signify an imbalance in the Pitta dosha.
What are the meanings of white ulcers and red spots on the tongue?
Possible toxins in the small intestine
These symptoms may suggest the presence of toxins affecting digestive health.
What could bumps on the liver, spleen, or pancreas areas indicate?
Pitta disturbance
Bumps in these areas are associated with Pitta imbalances.
What does a green/yellow coating on the tongue with a red margin suggest?
Pitta disturbance
The color and margin indicate potential issues with digestion or heat in the body.
What does a coating on the middle region of the tongue signify?
Pitta disturbance
This can be an indicator of gastrointestinal issues related to Pitta.
What do red patches over digestive or other organs indicate?
Pitta disturbance
Red patches may reflect inflammation or heat in the body.
What does a bright red tongue with cracks signify?
Severe Pitta disturbance
This indicates a significant imbalance and potential dehydration or inflammation.
Fill in the blank: Toxins in the small intestine can indicate _______.
Pitta disturbance
The presence of toxins can disrupt normal digestive processes.
Fill in the blank: A chest infection can be a sign of _______.
Pitta disturbance
Chest infections may relate to the heat and fire aspect of Pitta.
What color tongue may indicate Kapha disturbance?
Pale pink tongue
A pale pink tongue can be one of the early signs of Kapha imbalance.
What type of coating on the tongue is associated with Kapha disturbance?
Oily or white coating
An oily or white coating on the tongue can signify an excess of Kapha.
What might depressions on lung regions indicate?
Kapha disturbance
Depressions on lung regions may suggest a disturbance in the Kapha dosha.
What color is the tip of the tongue that may indicate Kapha disturbance?
Whitish / pale
A whitish or pale tip of the tongue can reflect a Kapha imbalance.
What is a possible sign of Kapha disturbance related to froth?
White froth / bubbles
The presence of white froth or bubbles can indicate a Kapha disturbance.
What does hollowness or depression over the heart region indicate?
Unresolved sadness, grief or depression.
This can be confirmed through case taking.
What does excessive heat in the blood indicate on the tongue?
Red dots and red edges on the tongue.
This is associated with inflammation or Pitta.
Fill in the blank: Excessive heat in the blood is revealed by _______ on the tongue.
red dots and red edges.
True or False: The presence of red dots on the tongue indicates unresolved emotional issues.
False.
Red dots indicate excessive heat in the blood, not emotional issues.
What do many small cracks on the tongue indicate?
Internal dryness due to excess Vata or excess Pitta
Vata represents wind and Pitta represents heat in Ayurvedic medicine.
What do bumps or mounds on the tongue indicate?
Vata degeneration in that region
This reflects imbalances in the body’s energies.
What do depressions on the tongue indicate?
Kapha degeneration in that region
Kapha is associated with water and earth elements.
What does bad breath reveal about digestion?
Low Agni and consequent high Ama
Agni refers to digestive fire, while Ama refers to toxins.
What do teeth indentations (scallops) on the tongue indicate?
Malabsorption of nutrients in the small intestine
Low Agni
This is linked to low Agni and the presence of Ama toxins.
What causes the tongue to swell, resulting in indentations from teeth?
Ama toxins / stomach dampness
These factors lead to swelling and can affect nutrient absorption.
What happens if foods are not broken down properly?
They cannot be assimilated, leading to nutrient deficiency and likely putrefaction/toxicity in the GIT
GIT stands for gastrointestinal tract.
