L8 Ayurveda - Diagnostics: Tongue

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of the Ayurvedic tongue map?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

In Ayurveda, where is the heart located on the tongue map?

Answer 2

Slightly further back than in TCM

This positioning reflects the differences between Ayurvedic and TCM interpretations.

Question 3

What does a thick coating on the tongue indicate?

Answer 3

The presence of Ama (undigested food toxins)

Ama is considered the ‘Mother’ of disease in Ayurveda.

Question 4

What tongue characteristics indicate a Vata constitution?

Answer 4

Thin, trembling, dark, dull, dry, cracked, small or irregular in shape

These features reflect the qualities associated with the Vata dosha.

Question 5

What tongue characteristics indicate a Pitta constitution?

Answer 5

Medium sized, red/pink, may be long, pointed and pushed out forcefully

The Pitta characteristics are linked to its fiery nature.

Question 6

What tongue characteristics indicate a Kapha constitution?

Answer 6

Thick, large, roundish, pale, smooth, swollen appearance

These features are indicative of the heavier, more stable qualities of Kapha.

Question 7

Which region of the tongue corresponds to Vata?

Answer 7

Back region

This area is associated with the large intestine, the main site of Vata.

Question 8

Which region of the tongue corresponds to Pitta?

Answer 8

Central region

The small intestine is the main site of Pitta, located in this area of the tongue.

Question 9

Which region of the tongue corresponds to Kapha?

Answer 9

Front region

The lungs are the main site of Kapha, represented in this section of the tongue.

Question 10

What do notable features like bumps and depressions on the tongue indicate?

Answer 10

Inflamed, congested, or underperforming organs

These features can provide insights into the health status of various organs.

Question 11

What does a thin tongue coating indicate?

Answer 11

It is normal and reflects constitution

Question 12

What does a thick tongue coating indicate?

Answer 12

Ama (undigested food toxins)

Question 13

What does a brownish/grey tongue coating signify?

Answer 13

Vata Ama

Question 14

What does a yellow/green tongue coating signify?

Answer 14

Pitta Ama

Question 15

What does a white tongue coating signify?

Answer 15

Kapha Ama

Question 16

What can the location of the tongue coating reveal?

Answer 16

Which organs may be negatively affected by toxicity based on tongue map

Question 17

What are the signs that may indicate Vata disturbance?

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

What does a dry, dark pink tongue indicate in terms of Vata disturbance?

Answer 18

Sensitive nerves, fear, anxiety, nervous indigestion, insecurity.

Question 19

What emotional issues are associated with Vata tongue signs?

Answer 19

Fear, anxiety, insecurity.

Question 20

What physical issues are indicated by Vata tongue signs?

Answer 20

Poor absorption problems, nervous indigestion.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: A dry film over the back of the tongue is a sign of _______.

Answer 21

Vata disturbance.

Question 22

True or False: Bumps on kidney points or colon area can indicate Vata disturbance.

Answer 22

True.

Question 23

What does a rough back region indicate in terms of Vata disturbance?

Answer 23

General roughness associated with Vata disturbance.

Question 24

What are signs that may indicate Pitta disturbance?

Answer 24

• 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.

Question 25

What does a red/pink tongue indicate in the context of Pitta disturbance?

Answer 25

Potential Pitta disturbance ## Footnote A red or pink tongue can signify an imbalance in the Pitta dosha.

Question 26

What are the meanings of white ulcers and red spots on the tongue?

Answer 26

Possible toxins in the small intestine ## Footnote These symptoms may suggest the presence of toxins affecting digestive health.

Question 27

What could bumps on the liver, spleen, or pancreas areas indicate?

Answer 27

Pitta disturbance ## Footnote Bumps in these areas are associated with Pitta imbalances.

Question 28

What does a green/yellow coating on the tongue with a red margin suggest?

Answer 28

Pitta disturbance ## Footnote The color and margin indicate potential issues with digestion or heat in the body.

Question 29

What does a coating on the middle region of the tongue signify?

Answer 29

Pitta disturbance ## Footnote This can be an indicator of gastrointestinal issues related to Pitta.

Question 30

What do red patches over digestive or other organs indicate?

Answer 30

Pitta disturbance ## Footnote Red patches may reflect inflammation or heat in the body.

Question 31

What does a bright red tongue with cracks signify?

Answer 31

Severe Pitta disturbance ## Footnote This indicates a significant imbalance and potential dehydration or inflammation.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: Toxins in the small intestine can indicate _______.

Answer 32

Pitta disturbance ## Footnote The presence of toxins can disrupt normal digestive processes.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: A chest infection can be a sign of _______.

Answer 33

Pitta disturbance ## Footnote Chest infections may relate to the heat and fire aspect of Pitta.

Question 34

What color tongue may indicate Kapha disturbance?

Answer 34

Pale pink tongue ## Footnote A pale pink tongue can be one of the early signs of Kapha imbalance.

Question 35

What type of coating on the tongue is associated with Kapha disturbance?

Answer 35

Oily or white coating ## Footnote An oily or white coating on the tongue can signify an excess of Kapha.

Question 36

What might depressions on lung regions indicate?

Answer 36

Kapha disturbance ## Footnote Depressions on lung regions may suggest a disturbance in the Kapha dosha.

Question 37

What color is the tip of the tongue that may indicate Kapha disturbance?

Answer 37

Whitish / pale ## Footnote A whitish or pale tip of the tongue can reflect a Kapha imbalance.

Question 38

What is a possible sign of Kapha disturbance related to froth?

Answer 38

White froth / bubbles ## Footnote The presence of white froth or bubbles can indicate a Kapha disturbance.

Question 39

What does hollowness or depression over the heart region indicate?

Answer 39

Unresolved sadness, grief or depression. ## Footnote This can be confirmed through case taking.

Question 40

What does excessive heat in the blood indicate on the tongue?

Answer 40

Red dots and red edges on the tongue. ## Footnote This is associated with inflammation or Pitta.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: Excessive heat in the blood is revealed by _______ on the tongue.

Answer 41

red dots and red edges.

Question 42

True or False: The presence of red dots on the tongue indicates unresolved emotional issues.

Answer 42

False. ## Footnote Red dots indicate excessive heat in the blood, not emotional issues.

Question 43

What do many small cracks on the tongue indicate?

Answer 43

Internal dryness due to excess Vata or excess Pitta ## Footnote Vata represents wind and Pitta represents heat in Ayurvedic medicine.

Question 44

What do bumps or mounds on the tongue indicate?

Answer 44

Vata degeneration in that region ## Footnote This reflects imbalances in the body's energies.

Question 45

What do depressions on the tongue indicate?

Answer 45

Kapha degeneration in that region ## Footnote Kapha is associated with water and earth elements.

Question 46

What does bad breath reveal about digestion?

Answer 46

Low Agni and consequent high Ama ## Footnote Agni refers to digestive fire, while Ama refers to toxins.

Question 47

What do teeth indentations (scallops) on the tongue indicate?

Answer 47

Malabsorption of nutrients in the small intestine Low Agni ## Footnote This is linked to low Agni and the presence of Ama toxins.

Question 48

What causes the tongue to swell, resulting in indentations from teeth?

Answer 48

Ama toxins / stomach dampness ## Footnote These factors lead to swelling and can affect nutrient absorption.

Question 49

What happens if foods are not broken down properly?

Answer 49

They cannot be assimilated, leading to nutrient deficiency and likely putrefaction/toxicity in the GIT ## Footnote GIT stands for gastrointestinal tract.