TCM Tongue Diagnosis Flashcards
Moist Coat
Damp-Phlegm
Cold-Damp
Deficiency Cold
Almost any Cold pattern
Tai Yin / Shao Yin
Moist & Slimy Coat
Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency
Dry Coats
Heat (generally)
Dry & Rough Coat
Damage to fluids by Exuberant Heat
-most often occurs in externally contracted febrile disease
Dry & Slimy Coat
Phlegm-Damp obstructing the center
-confirming sign: thurst w/o desire to drink
Dehydration
Thicker Coats
Indicate stronger Evil
-if coat thickens in course of disease – getting worse
Thinner Coats
Indicate weaker Evil
-if coat thins in coarse of disease – getting better
Slimy Coats
Dampness
Phlegm
Food Stagnation
Covering whole tongue = stronger Evil
Covering only center = more chronic condition
Grimy & Slimy Coat
Turbid Phlegm or Turbid Damp w/ Stomach Qi Deficiency
-often seen w/ Food Stagnation
-bad breath
Peeling Coat
Insufficient Yin Humor w/ ST Qi Deficiency
Peeling w/ Non-Transforming Slimy Coat
Phlegm Damp Failing to Transform
Damage to Yin Humor & ST Qi
Thick Slimy Coat that Suddenly & Completely Peels Away
Major damage to Right Qi
Chicken Heart Tongue
Stomach Yin Deficiency
(peels down middle from tip)
White, Moist, Thin Coat
Normal tongue
W/ Exterior signs: Evil has not yet entered interior
White & Moist Coat
Cold (generally)
White, Moist & Thick Coat
Cold Damp
Cold-Phlegm
White, Very Dry, & Thin Coat
Insufficiency of Fluids
White, Thick & Dry Coat
Transformation of Cold Evil into Heat
Mealy White Coat w/ Red Body
Dampness Trapping Hidden Heat
White, Thick, Slimy Coat
Phlegm Damp
Tofu Coat
(slimy/greasy w/ caked appearance)
Sweltering Damp Heat w/ ST Qi Deficiency & damage to Yin
Yellow, Thin, Dry Coat
Damage to liquid by Heat Evil
Slimy Yellow Coat
Damp Heat
Phlegm Damp
Yellow Coats
Excess Heat (generally)
Old Yellow / Burnt Yellow
Binding of Excess Heat
Mixed White & Yellow Coat
Cold transforming into Heat
Shao Yang disorder