Importance of Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis

What is Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis?

In Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis, the tongue’s size, shape, colour, and coating are examined to obtain information about the person’s health. 

The size of the tongue is read first, and then the shape. 

The colour is also observed for abnormalities like blue or green spots. 

The tongue’s coating is checked for too thick or thin on the surface. Ayurvedic practitioners also examine the tongue for bumps, discolourations, or other irregularities. 

All this information determines the overall health of the person being examined.

Purpose of tongue observation in Ayurveda

Tongue observation is an integral part of Ayurvedic practice. 

According to this ancient medical system, the tongue is a map of the body and can provide valuable insight into a person’s overall health. 

By examining the tongue’s size, shape, colour, and coating, Ayurvedic practitioners can gain important information about the person’s health.

Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis offers several benefits. First, it provides information about the overall health of the person being examined. 

By examining the tongue’s size, shape, colour, and coating, Ayurvedic practitioners can gain insight into how the body’s various systems are functioning. 

Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis also has the potential to identify imbalances in the body. 

It can identify digestive problems, circulatory issues, or inflammation. It can also help to identify underlying causes of health issues, such as nutritional deficiencies or dehydration. 

In addition, Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis can provide a starting point for further examination and investigation.

One of the essential instruments for determining the state of digestion is Jihwa Pariksha. According to Ayurveda, the fundamental cause of all illnesses is Agnimandya (dysfunction of the digestive fire). Food is not digested correctly due to the Mandagni (reduced function of the digestive fire), which also results in the development of Ama (Toxins from undigested food). This Ama affects body tissues (Dhatus) when combined with the Dosha, vitiating/altering their properties and causing a variety of degenerative processes. Early tongue coating examination can help to identify a digestive fire impairment, and early action may stop the further progression of Ama.

How Is Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis Performed?

Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis is a non-invasive procedure that can be performed quickly and safely. 

It begins with the practitioner examining the size and shape of the tongue. The tongue’s colour is checked for abnormalities, such as blue or green spots. 

The practitioner will also check the tongue’s coating for too thick or thin on the surface. 

Finally, the practitioner will check the tongue for bumps, discolourations, or other irregularities. All this information is then used to assess the overall health of the person being examined.

What is the concept of Tongue diagnosis in Ayurveda?

In Ayurveda, tongue diagnosis is seen as a way to gain insight into the health of the body. According to this ancient practice, the tongue is a map of the body and can provide a window into a person’s health. 

By examining the tongue’s size, shape, colour, and coating, Ayurvedic practitioners can gain important information about the person’s overall health and well-being.

Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis can reveal necessary information about a person’s overall health. 

It can help to identify imbalances in the body, such as digestive problems, circulatory issues, or inflammation. 

It can also help to identify underlying causes of health issues, such as nutritional deficiencies or dehydration. In addition, it can provide a starting point for further examination and investigation.

Tongue Coating

To diagnose the tongue, the traditional way is to have observers see the tongue from tip to root.

If the tongue has any coating thereon, this is often a clear indication of toxic buildup within the system and poor overall digestion. 

The colon is the most likely place where toxic buildup occurs.

A layer of toxic buildup in a specific area of your tongue could be causing it to appear. 

If the tongue is completely coated, it is a sign of systemic toxicity, meaning the toxins have entered the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.

A white tongue is a sign of some oral illnesses, most notably Candida infections (also known as oral thrush). 

Although these yeast infections can occur in various situations, they are more frequent in people with immune systems weakened by diseases like cancer or HIV infection. 

Environmental irritants like smoking or other tobacco usage or dryness can also cause inflammation and whitening of the tongue, accompanied by poor breath.

Colour of Tongue Coating

It is possible to determine the Doshic imbalance by examining the colour of the coating. Vata imbalance is evident in a black, grey, or brown hairline. 

Pitta derangement is identified by a reddish, orange, or yellow layer. Additionally, Kapha derangement is indicated by a thick and whitish coat.

Doshic Tongue Colour

Pale tongues in Vata people indicate inadequate nutrient metabolism due to insufficient blood supply or reduced nutrient absorption. 

A purple-blue tongue is a reflection of cold-related Vyana Vayu stagnation. Severe anaemia might result in a pale tongue.

Pitta people have red skin, which is a sign of high Pitta in the blood or nutrient absorption. High Pitta is the cause of an orange tongue, especially on the sides. 

A purple-red (or, in severe cases, a black-red) is typical of excessive Pitta, which condenses blood and nutrients absorbed, causing viscous and sluggish circulation.

Specific reddened tongue patches, also known as “strawberry tongue,” may be caused by a vitamin deficiency, the disease Kawasaki, or a streptococcal infection (scarlet fever)

Because of the restriction in circulation, Kapha people have pale tongues. A pale-blue tongue is indicative of congestive heart disease due to Avalambaka Kapha.

Tongue Shape

Small, short, thin, dry, cracked, and trembling tongues are the characteristics of the Vata people. Due to Visamagni’s inconsistent digestive strength, indentations, deep concave regions, scalloped, and tooth marks indicate malabsorption and poor Agni (digestive fire) (Imbalance digestive fire). 

Low Ojas is seen towards the rear of the tongue in the form of cracked edges (Vital energy). A break in the front indicates lung dryness. 

Vata people frequently feel uneasy and find it challenging to stick out their tongues. 

The tongue being incredibly short could indicate low Ojas.

Pitta people have swollen, inflamed, ulcerated, sharp, long, narrow, and red edges. 

Pitta people frequently extend their tongues firmly like an arrow. A tongue indicates Mandagni with tooth marks. 

The enlarged tip indicates heart congestion. 

Swollen in the middle could be a sign of lung congestion. Even though their tongues are too huge, Kapha people frequently flip them out of their mouths.

What are the colour changes in the tongue indicating?

Changes in the tongue’s colour can indicate various issues in the body. 

A pale tongue can indicate a weakened digestive system and insufficient nutrition.

 A dark tongue can indicate toxins, digestive problems, or dehydration. If the tongue is yellow, this can mean an imbalance of the liver or an accumulation of toxins. 

A red tongue can indicate inflammation or an imbalance of the heart.

What is a healthy tongue according to Ayurveda?

Ayurveda states that a healthy tongue should be uniform in size and shape, have a thin coating, and be free of blemishes. It should have a pinkish-red tint without any stains or degradation. 

Redness on the tongue may be a sign of inflammation or a cardiac condition.

A healthy tongue should resemble a child’s tongue: symmetrical, uniformly pink, flexible, devoid of cracks, and not quiver or tremble. That needs to be just moist enough. 

It is oval and neither too thick nor too thin. 

The tongue does not typically curve to one side while projecting; instead, it is straight. 

It should not tremble, be flaccid, flat-tipped, or stiff; it should remain steady. It ought to have a thin, translucent layer that gives the tongue a pink colour. 

All taste buds are flat and orderly. There are no strawberry-looking bumps or deep cuts, lines and cracks.

Tridosha and Tongue Health

The Tridosha is a set of three fundamental forces that govern the body in Ayurveda. These three forces are called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Instabilities in these forces could impact the tongue and the body’s overall well-being.

Vata: Dry, cold, and fissured tongue

Vata: Cold, rough, and fissured tongue

Pitta: Red or blackish

Kapha Coated: excessively greasy and white

Tridosha: Black, dry, very much rough on the touch

Which internal organ functions are responsible for tongue health?

The tongue is linked with several other organs within the body. The condition of tongues is directly related to their functions. 

The organs responsible for tongue health are the stomach, the liver, and the kidneys. 

Imbalances in the functions of any of these organs can cause changes in the tongue.

The central chest cavity organs are depicted on the tip of the tongue’s front portion. 

The heart and lungs comprise most of these organs, with the heart at the very end and the lungs more posteriorly.

The middle area of the tongue, positioned roughly halfway between the base or root of the tongue and its tip, represents the main organs found in the abdominal cavity’s epigastric/right hypogastric region. 

These organs, mostly the liver, gallbladder, and stomach, are at the tongue’s centre. 

The liver/gall bladder areas are inside or medial to the spleen regions located lateral to the stomach region.

The pancreas is located in the tongue’s midline, just posterior to the stomach region.

Images of the pelvic region’s excretory organs are on the back of the tongue, towards the root or base. 

The kidney zones are on the tongue’s base’s correct right and left sides. On the centre posterior portion of the tongue, next to the pancreas and stomach, are images of the intestines. 

The bladder zone is just in the middle, at the very base of the tongue. 

The tongue’s many regions represent various bodily parts. 

The Ayurvedic practitioner can therefore identify which body organs are out of balance by comparing the location of the lesions on the tongue.

Conclusion

Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis is an ancient practice used for centuries in India. It is based on the thought that the tongue is a map of the body and can provide important information about a person’s overall health. Ayurvedic tongue diagnosis can help identify imbalances in the body and underlying causes of health issues. It is a safe and non-invasive way to obtain information about a person’s health.