When you go to see a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician, he or she will ask you to stick out the tongue. This isn't just so that he or she can look down your throat. The doctor will be examining your tongue in a much more thorough manner than you are accustomed because according to Chinese Medicine, your health is evident by the state of your tongue.
What will the doctor look for when he or she examines your tongue? First of all, the doctor will take note of the general appearance of your tongue. Next, he or she will examine the tongue coating. The final piece in the doctor's tongue analysis is determined by examination of the individual regions of the tongue, since different parts of the tongue are believed to reveal the health condition of specific parts of the body.
Considerations during a Chinese tongue analysis:
Color
A healthy tongue should be pinkish red and slightly shiny. If your tongue is dull or pale, it may signify to the doctor that your immune system may be weakened or you may suffer from anemia. If your tongue is bright red, it may indicate that your body is working too hard or is agitated. If your tongue is purplish in hue, the doctor will ask about chronic pain, blockage or congestion.
Condition
If your tongue is swollen, the doctor will know to look for other signs of edema or toxicity in the body. If your tongue has lacerations, the doctor will look for inflammation.
Coating
The doctor will look carefully at the coating on your tongue to see if it looks healthy or not. A healthy tongue coating is thin and clear, but an unhealthy tongue coating will be thick or yellow. If the doctor notices the unhealthy coating, he or she will ask about possible infections. If the coating to the tongue is also peeling, it indicates a weakening of the body.
Analysis of the Separate Regions of the Tongue
Different areas of the tongue are related to specific parts of the body, so the doctor will look for lacerations, changes in coating and swelling in the various regions of the tongue for clues as to what needs treatment.
You can also learn to recognize changes in your health by examining your own tongue from time to time. Open up and say, "Ah!"
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 | Chinese Medicine herbology has been an essential component of this culture's healing practices for centuries. Documented as far back as 2697 B.C., it is an ancient form of medicine trusted by Asians and now spreading throughout the world. |
When thinking about ancient Chinese medicine, there seems to be a cloud of mystery and folklore that permeates the subject. What is traditional Chinese medicine (commonly referred to as TCM) and is it right for you? |
The following information has been gathered and compiled over a period of years, through personal experience, while traveling, teaching classes that include T'ai Chi, Qi Gong, herbal information, martial arts and other health related subjects. |
