Tongue Analysis, Mouth and Gums

Question 1

Tongue diagnosis

Answer 1

• Tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates to the Shang Dynasty which began circa 1600 B.C. Since that time it has evolved into a very important assessment tool.
• Tongue diagnosis is also an important ayurvedic assessment tool.
• Examination takes into consideration:
  -Condition —may indicate nutrient deficiencies.
  -Shape.
  -Colour.
  -Patterns.
  -Coating.

Question 2

Root / back

Answer 2

Lower abdomen —kidneys, bladder, intestines and reproductive organs.

Question 3

Centre

Answer 3

Central abdomen —stomach and spleen.

Question 4

Sides

Answer 4

Liver and gall bladder.

Question 5

Tip and front

Answer 5

Chest —heart and lungs.

Question 6

Pale

Answer 6

Excess cold, Qi or Yang deficiency, blood deficiency (medically a pale tongue can indicate iron deficiency anaemia).

Question 7

Red

Answer 7

Excess heat, inflammation, infection. Use the tongue map i.e. a red tip of the tongue (heart area) indicates disturbance of the ‘shen’ (spirit) and often indicates underlying anxiety. Medically, a red and painful tongue / glossitis can indicate deficiency of folate, B12, B2, B3, B6.

Question 8

Purple

Answer 8

Blood stagnation, reduced Qi, poor circulation, (medically a purple tongue can indicate cyanosis (low oxygen).

Question 9

Prominent redpapillae (spots)

Answer 9

Excess Heat

Question 10

Excess papillae

Answer 10

‘Hairy tongue’ with a thick coating may follow antibiotic treatment. Probioticsand prebioticsrequired.

Question 11

Dry and cracked

Answer 11

Yin deficiency (not enough fluids, not ‘holding’ fluids, or dried out due to excess heat).

Question 12

Wet

Answer 12

Excess moistureand fluids.

Question 13

Imapired taste

Answer 13

Zinc deficiency.

Question 14

Tongue shape: Thin

Answer 14

Blood deficiency.

Question 15

Tongue shape: Swollen

Answer 15

Qi or Yang deficiency causing fluid retention;dampness.

Question 16

Tongue shape: Scalloped (teeth marks on sides)

Answer 16

Weak digestion (spleen Qi deficiency), pancreatic insufficiency, in ayurvedathis will lead to build up of ‘ama’ (undigested food toxins).

Question 17

Tongue shape: Raised / upturned edges

Answer 17

A sign of high stress

Question 18

Mobility of the tongue: Tremor / quiver

Answer 18

Spleen Qi deficiency. In ayurveda it indicates excess ‘vata’ —nervous energy and anxiety. Nutritionally it can indicate magnesium deficiency.

Question 19

Midline of tongue

Answer 19

In ayurvedic tongue analysis, the midline of the tongue, also known as the ‘sulcus’, represents the spine. The tip of the tongue is the top (cervical region) and the back the bottom (lumbar region).

• Cracks or fissures can correspond to painful areas of the spine.

Question 20

Medial fissure

Answer 20

A shallow vertical crack through middle of tongue (not to the tip) —can be a sign of deficiency of digestion.This indicates an under-secretion of digestive juices.

Question 21

Medial fissure at the tip

Answer 21

Tendency to constitutional heart problems. May also indicate thyroid issues.

Question 22

Geographical (or mapped) tongue

Answer 22

Yin deficiency; nutritionally it can indicate a B vitamin deficiency. Often seen in psoriasis sufferers.

Question 23

Tongue coating: Thin white

Answer 23

Normal

Question 24

Tongue coating: Brown

Answer 24

Chronic excess heat (leading to degenerative changes).

Question 25

Tongue coating: Greasy yellow

Answer 25

Damp heat (inflammation and infection).

Question 26

Tongue coating: Greasy white

Answer 26

Damp cold (excess mucus / phlegm).

Question 27

Tongue coating: No coat

Answer 27

Yin deficiency

Question 28

Dry lips

Answer 28

Can be associated with dehydration, excess heat (often stomach heat —perhaps associated with an excess of spicy food, sugar, alcohol), or a B2, B3or folate deficiency.

Question 29

Angular stomatitis / cheilitis

Answer 29

Reddened cracking and scaling in the corners of the mouth. This may occur as a result of:
-Deficiencies: Iron, B vitamins.
-Infections (fungi, bacteria) ↓ immunity
-Bite issues causing ‘drooling’

-TS: Calc sulph, kali sulph. And / or silica.

Question 30

Gums: Normal / healthy

Answer 30

Pale red surface, sharp, well-defined margins between teeth and gums, shallow crevices between gums and teeth.

Question 31

Gums: Bleeding (also receding gums)

Answer 31

Vitamin C deficiency and / or zinc, CoQ10 deficiency (see a dental hygienist regularly; pull daily with organic coconut oil for two minutes, and brush your teeth after).

Question 32

Gums: Periodontal disease

Answer 32

High sugar / meat / dairy, low bioflavonoids, zincand CoQ10.

Question 33

Gums: Pale mucous membranes

Answer 33

Iron deficiency

Question 34

Gums: Greyish mucous membranes

Answer 34

Biotin deficiency