Tongue Diagnosis

Question 1

Condition of tongue proper reflects (1 & 2)

Answer 1

1) deficiency or excess of organs AND 2) strength of essential Qi

Question 2

Condition of tongue coating reflect (1 & 2)

Answer 2

1) Depth AND 2) nature of invading pathogenic factors

Question 3

PALE tongue (description and diagnosis)

Answer 3

Less Red than a normal tongue; DEFICIENCY of Yang Qi or INSUFFICIENCY of Qi & BLOOD

Question 4

RED tongue (description and diagnosis)

Answer 4

Bright red & redder than a normal tongue; HEAT SYNDROMES (such as interior heat due to excess or deficiency (yin deficiency)

Question 5

DEEP RED tongue

Answer 5

Extreme heat condition due to 1) exogenous febrile diseases - invation of pathogenic heat OR 2) endogenous disease - yin deficiency leading to hyperactivity of fire

Question 6

PURPLE tongue

Answer 6

BLUE PURPLE - stagnation of blood due to either cold or heat; BLUE PURPLE & DRY - heat; BLUE PURPLE & MOIST- COLD; BLUE PURPLE IN SPOTS - stagnation of blood