Show Me Your Tongue, and I'll Tell You Your Health Status

What does the color and shape of your tongue say about your health? Surprisingly, quite a bit. For centuries, Chinese medicine practitioners have considered it one of the most effective tools for precise diagnosis of diseases and issues.

In recent decades, the method has also been adopted by Western medicine, and more and more conventional doctors are using it alongside other methods. "The tongue is a diagnostic tool in Chinese medicine, and from its appearance we can obtain important information," explains Eran Hayon, an expert in traditional Chinese medicine, in an interview with 'Walla'.

According to him, the color of the tongue can provide an indication of blood condition and volume, as the tongue is a muscle. "Through its color, we understand the level of nutritional energy and blood supply to the muscles in the body. If there is some sort of coating on the tongue, it may indicate an imbalance."

Through the color and shape of the tongue, it is possible to determine whether our body has the 'intention' to become ill, whether it is already sick and with what, whether we need to drink more water, or if we lack essential vitamins.

What is a healthy tongue?

A healthy tongue is smooth and pinkish, without cracks or waves on its sides.

Red tongue

A red tongue is a clear sign that your body is lacking vitamins or is prone to anemia. A tongue that has already turned purple may indicate a lack of oxygen in the body – a phenomenon that is similar to the skin turning blue when someone is suffocating, heaven forbid. Sometimes it also means the body is developing (or already has) lung diseases like asthma and bronchitis. If only the tip of the tongue turns red, it may indicate various heart problems.

Tongue with 'waves' on its sides

Small waves appearing on the edges of the tongue may indicate thyroid issues, chronic fatigue, and low blood pressure. If the small waves are constantly 'inflated', it means your body is dehydrated and needs fluids.

Tongue with cracks

A tongue with cracks usually does not indicate a specific problem, as like any organ, the tongue wears down with age, and cracks are a sign we are getting older. However, according to doctors and insiders, these cracks may occasionally indicate autoimmune problems.

'White' coating on the tongue

A white layer on the tongue often indicates a weak immune system or infection in the mouth – in ordinary people. However, among smokers, it may indicate cancer.

According to Chinese medicine, this layer also suggests a diet high in cooling foods such as cheese, milk, and salad (and excessive mucus accumulation). Therefore, it's advisable to reduce dairy products, and if you're craving a salad, it's better to take the vegetables out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about half an hour before you intend to eat them.

Tongue with sores

Sometimes, pustular and other sores develop on the tongue. Some are benign and usually disappear within a few days, but others (such as in diabetics, who tend to develop such sores quite frequently) may indicate various diseases and problems, such as stress or even cancer.

The best way to proactively address the aforementioned symptoms is to be aware of these conditions and the state of your tongue. It is good, for example, to adopt a regular habit of thoroughly inspecting the tongue while brushing your teeth.

Such an inspection will provide us with a broad status picture, and if any concern arises during it – it is good to go and get checked by a doctor, to dispel the worries.