All of my patients know that as part of my acupuncture consultation, I ask them to stick their tongues out and take a photo of it. My son thinks it’s hysterical the amount of tongue photos I have on my phone! But there is logic to my madness!
Have you ever stuck your tongue out in the mirror and noticed it looks a little… different? Maybe it’s a bit swollen, has a thick coating, or even teeth marks on the sides? Believe it or not, your tongue is like a little health report, giving clues about what’s going on inside your body.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we use tongue diagnosis as a key part of understanding your overall health. It’s a simple yet powerful way to spot imbalances, even before they turn into symptoms and an essential tool in my acupuncture practise.
So, what does your tongue say about you? Let’s dive in!
The Basics of Tongue Diagnosis
When I assess your tongue, I’m looking at four main things:
🔹 Colour – Is it pale, red, or even purple?
🔹 Shape – Swollen, thin, with teeth marks?
🔹 Coating – Is there a thin layer, thick layer, or none at all?
🔹 Texture – Smooth, cracked, or rough?
Each of these features gives clues about your digestion, circulation, stress levels, and overall energy (Qi) and allow me to tailor your treatment and access improvements in your health after each consultation.
Let’s go through some common tongue patterns and what they might mean for you!
What Your Tongue Might Be Telling Me About Your Health
1. Pale Tongue – Feeling Tired and Cold?
If your tongue is pale, it might mean your body is running low on energy or blood. You might experience:
✅ Feeling cold all the time (even when others aren’t)
✅ Fatigue and low energy
✅ Dizziness or pale skin
✅ Low iron levels or irregular periods
👉 What can help? Warm, nourishing foods like soups, stews, and iron-rich foods can help rebuild energy. Acupuncture can also support circulation and energy flow.
2. Red Tongue with a Red Tip – Feeling Stressed or Anxious?
A red tongue, especially with a bright red tip, often points to heat in the body. This can come from stress, hormonal imbalances, or inflammation. Symptoms might include:
✅ Feeling hot or sweaty (especially at night)
✅ Anxiety, restlessness, or trouble sleeping
✅ Heart palpitations
✅ Irritability or feeling on edge
👉 What can help? Cooling foods like cucumber, watermelon, and leafy greens can help balance the heat. Acupuncture can calm the nervous system and ease stress.
3. Swollen Tongue with Teeth Marks – Struggling with Digestion or Water Retention?
If your tongue looks puffy and has scalloped edges (teeth marks on the sides), this is often a sign of sluggish digestion or fluid retention. You might notice:
✅ Bloating and sluggish digestion
✅ Water retention or puffiness in your hands/feet
✅ Brain fog or feeling “heavy”
✅ Low energy, especially after eating
👉 What can help? Cut back on dairy, processed foods, and cold drinks. Focus on warm, easy-to-digest meals and acupuncture to support digestion.
4. Thick White or Yellow Coating – Is Your Digestion Off?
A thick white coating usually means too much cold or dampness in the body, while a thick yellow coating points to heat or inflammation. You might experience:
✅ Frequent bloating, nausea, or sluggish digestion
✅ Excess mucus or sinus congestion
✅ Feeling heavy, foggy, or sluggish
✅ Loose stools or sluggish metabolism
👉 What can help? Reducing sugar, dairy, and processed foods can help clear dampness. Acupuncture supports digestion and helps restore balance.
5. Cracks on the Tongue – Experiencing Dryness or Hormonal Imbalances?
A tongue with cracks (especially down the centre) may indicate Yin deficiency, meaning your body lacks moisture and nourishment. Symptoms can include:
✅ Dry skin, dry mouth, or night sweats
✅ Poor sleep or waking up during the night
✅ Hormonal imbalances or irregular periods
✅ Feeling overheated easily
👉 What can help? Hydrating foods, good sleep, and acupuncture can help restore balance.
Curious About Your Tongue? Let’s Find Out!
The tongue is an incredible tool that can reveal a lot about your health. Next time you’re in front of a mirror, take a look! Do you recognize any of these signs?
If you’re feeling off balance, experiencing any of these symptoms, or just curious about what your tongue is telling you, acupuncture can help bring your body back into harmony.
Book a consultation, and let’s take a deeper look at what’s going on inside—starting with your tongue!
