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Tongue Analysis

Observing the tongue, as practitioners of Chinese medicine and Zen Shiatsu therapists do, reveals basic qualities of disharmony in the body. A normal tongue is pale red and somewhat moist.

Red Tongue

A red tongue suggests a Heat Condition (the whole body or portions of it feel or appear hot. The body dislikes heat and prefers cold, has a high fever, red face, red eyes, and reddish urine. Boils or skin lesions that are red, swollen, raised and painful (inflammation) are also signs of heat in the body. Secretions will be sticky and thick mucous or stools with mucus and blood accompanied by burning in the anus.

Heat depletes fluids therefore the tongue is dry, there is great thirst, dry stools and scanty urination. High fever, slight or no chills as well as headaches as opposed to body aches are indications of heat. A scarlet (deep red) tongue suggests an extreme heat condition in the body.

Purple Tongue

A purple tongue suggests a Cold Condition (the tongue will appear moist and may be associated with the liver. The individual feels cold and is unusually slow. Cold to the touch and pale are characteristics of a cold condition. They have an adversion to cold and seek warmth. Sluggishness, stiffness; clear white, watery secretions are present. Cold conditions are sharp and relieved by warm compress. Internal cold is related to weak kidney function resulting in frail legs and back, frequent urination edema and lack of sexual desire.

Fear, excessive guilt and passiveness are common.

Cold resonates with the spleen because the spleen is reliant on the Kidney( Fire) to function. Chills, fear of cold, mild fever, headache and body aches are common. The fever is the bodies attempt to expel.

Tongue Coating

The Tongue Coating (Fur or Moss) is the result of spleen activity and reflects the state of the digestive system.
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Dry Moss Dry or sandpaper like moss signifies excess heat or deficient fluids.
Yellow Moss Yellow moss suggests heat.
Black or Grey Moss Black or grey moss suggests extreme heat if the tongue is red and extreme cold if the tongue is pale.
Greasy, Thick, Oily Moss Greasy, thick, oily moss is a sign of dampness or mucus.
Greasy, Thick, Lumpy Moss Greasy, thick and lumpy signifies extreme Mucus or Dampness.
Peeled Tongue Peeled Tongue refers to moss that seems to have been removed and the tongue is shiny underneath resembling the skin of an uncooked chicken with the skin removed.. it may be a sign of deficient fluids or weak Spleen Qi.
Floating Moss Moss that appears to be floating on the surface is a sign of weak spleen and stomach Qi.
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Qi warms the body.
Qi protects the body.
Qi ensures stability and governs retention.
Qi is the source of harmonious transformation.
Qi is the source of all movement and accompanies all movement.



Shape of the Tongue

A normal tongue is neither too big or too small, swollen or shrivelled; is smooth without cracks, no pimples or eruptions. Cracks on the tongue, if not present at birth, may be a sign of chronic or severe illness. Red eruptions or pimples are a sign of Heat or of Congealed Blood.

Congealed Blood means the blood is not flowing and the condition is characterized by sharp stabbing pains, and or tumors, cysts, or swelling of the organs. On a psychological level there is an inability to feel safe, suspiciousness, paranoia and delusions.


Note: Any of these signs may occur only on a certain portion of the tongue eg the tip, the back or just the sides. Particular areas are said to correspond with certain organs.


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