Here’s a beginner’s guide to interpreting the messages your tongue could be sending you. Consider tongue reading another way to check in with yourself, but don’t use it to replace a doctor’s visit or override any diagnoses from medical professionals. Take a look at your tongue in the mirror and see if it fits this description. Really notice the details: Is it puffy or thin? Is it reddish, purplish, or pinkish? Are there deep cracks, small cracks, or no cracks at all? Is there a coating on it? Is the coating white or yellow? Try to scrape off the coating; does it go away or stay in place? According to TCM, all of this means something. In TCM, a thick yellow coating right in the center of the tongue also means your body is dehydrated and can’t properly digest your food. You may have some of the following symptoms: body heat, sweating, body odor, yellow urine, or constipation. If your tongue has a thick, greasy coating, on the other hand, it is an indicator that your body has lots of dampness and fluid. It could be a sign you are consuming too many greasy foods that aren’t right for you. An uneven coating indicates an issue with hydration in your stomach and liver. You may suffer from symptoms such as heartburn, stomach pain, interrupted sleep, vivid dreams, or dry skin. If a tongue is purplish or darkish, it signals a lack of proper blood circulation and could indicate disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines.5 Dan is experienced in nutrition, women’s health, pain relief and overall stress reduction. She has experienced the best healing treatments worldwide ranging from acupuncture, Ayurveda, massage therapy, Reiki and other modalities, in America and also through her travels in the heart of Russia, to the opulent cultures of India, through the Turkish Baths and hamams of Turkey.
