The tongue body reflects the state of vital energy, the organs and bowels. We mainly observe the color as the form of the tongue.

If cracks, spots, small holes, bumps or alterations in the coating appear, we note what area of the tongue it happens in and which organ/bowel and symptoms we relate it to.

Tongue cartography

The tongue zones correspond to the three burners and the Zang Fu. The signs observed in the tongue must always be contrasted with the pulse and the patient's symptoms.

The tip of the tongue corresponds to the upper burner: Heart surrounded by Lungs. A red tongue tip with sores along with nervousness, insomnia and rapid speech may reflect a syndrome of Full-Fire of Heart. Cracks near the tip may be related to Lung-Yin deficiency.

The middle of the tongue corresponds to the middle burner: Spleen and Stomach. The sides correspond to Liver and Gall Bladder. Chronic digestive problems may manifest with a peeled tongue coating in the center, a central crack or a swollen tongue on the sides.

The root of the tongue corresponds to the lower burner: Kidney, Bladder and intestines. It is common to have a thicker tongue coating in this area when there are evacuation difficulties, constipation or Kidney-Yang deficiency, for example.

See:

• Tongue color
• Tongue form
• Back to tongue