Tip
Heart & Lungs
Emotions, sleep, and the upper body.
- Possible signs
- A red tip or red dots
- What it may suggest
- Stress, anxiety, poor sleep or heat in the Heart.
← TCM Consultation
TCM Consultation
Tongue Consultation
In Chinese medicine, the tongue is a map of the body. Each area reflects an organ system, and its colour, shape and coating show what is happening inside – it is one of the most reliable guides to your underlying pattern, and to how you are responding to treatment.
The concept
Reading the tongue map
The tongue is the only internal organ we can see directly, and because it changes slowly it gives a stable picture of your health. Your practitioner looks at where a change appears on the tongue and what it looks like – and, at follow-up visits, how it is changing as you improve.
What each area of your tongue reveals
Centre
Spleen & Stomach
Digestion and how well food is turned into energy.
- Possible signs
- Thick or greasy coating, cracks in the middle
- What it may suggest
- Weak digestion, bloating, dampness or food stagnation.
Sides
Liver & Gallbladder
Stress, the flow of Qi, and the menstrual cycle.
- Possible signs
- Red or swollen edges, purple sides
- What it may suggest
- Stress and tension, irritability, PMS or period pain.
Root
Kidneys & Bladder
Energy reserves, hormones, the lower back and fertility.
- Possible signs
- Thick or yellow coating at the back
- What it may suggest
- Damp-heat in the lower body, or Kidney weakness.
What we look at
Body colour
Pale pink is healthy. Paler means deficiency or cold; red means heat; purple means stagnation.
Shape
Swollen, thin, teeth marks along the edges, or cracks – each points to a different imbalance.
Coating
A thin white coating is normal. Thick means dampness; yellow means heat; none means Yin deficiency.
Moisture
Too wet suggests dampness or cold; too dry suggests heat or low fluids.
Under the tongue
Dark, swollen veins under the tongue are a classic sign of Blood stasis.
Tongue patterns
What your tongue can tell us
These are the tongue types we see most often in clinic. Many people show a mix – a tongue can be swollen with teeth marks and a thick coating, for example – and we always read it together with your pulse, face and symptoms.
Thin, small tongue
舌体瘦小 · Kidney essence deficiency
A thin, narrow tongue that looks small for the mouth, usually pale.
Often comes with
- Low energy, poor stamina
- Low back and knee weakness
- Hair loss, early greying
- Fertility problems
Face: Pale or darkish complexion
Swollen tongue with teeth marks
舌体胖大有齿痕 · Qi & Blood deficiency, weak Spleen
A large, puffy, pale and tender tongue with scalloped teeth marks along the edges.
Often comes with
- Tiredness, especially after eating
- Bloating, loose stools
- Heavy limbs, fluid retention
- Feeling the cold
Face: Pale or sallow complexion, puffy eyes
Thick white coating
舌苔白厚 · Phlegm & dampness
A thick, moist white coating you can’t see through – the Spleen is not transforming fluids.
Often comes with
- Feeling heavy and foggy
- Poor appetite, nausea
- Mucus, sticky stools
- Weight gain
Face: Dull, puffy face
Yellow, greasy coating
舌苔黄腻 · Damp-heat
A thick, sticky yellow coating – dampness that has turned into heat.
Often comes with
- Bad breath, bitter taste
- Acne, oily skin
- Sticky, smelly stools
- Thrush, cystitis or discharge
Face: Red, oily face with spots
Deeply cracked tongue
舌面裂纹重 · Liver & Kidney Yin deficiency
Clear, deep cracks across the surface of the tongue – a sign that fluids have been depleted over time.
Often comes with
- Dry eyes, dry skin
- Night sweats, hot flushes
- Dizziness, tinnitus
- Poor sleep
Face: Flushed cheeks
Little or no coating, with cracks
舌苔少或无 · Yin & Blood deficiency
A red, dry tongue with little or no coating and fine cracks.
Often comes with
- Dry mouth and throat
- Hot palms and soles
- Restless sleep, anxiety
- Light or scanty periods
Face: Flushed cheeks, dry skin
Dark veins under the tongue
舌下静脉瘀紫 · Blood stasis
The veins under the tongue are twisted, swollen and dark purple.
Often comes with
- Fixed, stabbing pain
- Period pain with clots
- Headaches in one spot
- Long-standing conditions
Face: Dull, dark complexion
A healthy tongue
舌淡红,苔薄白 · Balanced
Pale red, moist but not greasy, with a thin white coating and no teeth marks – this is what we aim for.
Often comes with
- Good energy
- Healthy digestion
- Sound sleep
- Regular cycle
Face: Bright complexion with healthy lustre
Not sure which one fits? That’s normal. Your tongue consultation is part of every first visit, alongside face, pulse, body and question consultation. How a TCM consultation works →
Patient reviews
What our patients say on Google
Google reviews
4.9★★★★★470 Google reviews across our 2 clinics: London Victoria & City of London
tatiana b
★★★★★
I had acupuncture and cupping with Emma, and she truly worked wonders on my back and neck. I came in barely able to turn my head, and now I feel so much better relaxed, pain-free, and mobile again. I’d had a bad experience elsewhere before, but Emma completely turned things around. Highly recommend!
GS PK
★★★★★
I am very satisfied with the herbal remedies for perimenopause. I don't have hot flashes after the medication. And electric acupuncture soothes my plantar fascists on both feet. The capsules for bowel movement are working very well.
Marina Helmke
★★★★★
The staff specially Yao meng did an excellent job. In addition she is very kind and explain to the patients what to expect. Thank you very much.
Amal Alkhlewi
★★★★★
I highly recommend Acupro. They are very professional and take the time to tailor your treatment for you.
Book today
Find the root cause, not just the symptom
Book an initial treatment – your full TCM consultation, including tongue diagnosis, is included.