Section 2　Normal Tongue Manifestation and Physiological Differences

Normal Tongue Manifestation

The normal tongue manifestation refers to the signs of the tongue body and tongue coating among healthy people.

The characteristics of the normal tongue manifestation: The tongue body is distinguished by being light-red, bright, with moisture and lustre, a suitable size and having softness and flexibility; the tongue coating should be uniform, thin, white, neither dry nor greasy or slippery. The normal tongue manifestation is usually described as "lightreddish tongue with a thin white coating".

The normal tongue manifestation suggests normal functions of thezang-fu organs, sufficient qi, blood and body fluids, as well as exuberance of stomach qi.

Physiological Differences of the Tongue Manifestation

The normal tongue manifestation can be influenced by different ages, body constitutions, climates, etc.

1. Seasons and Times

The normal tongue manifestation often changes along with the different seasons and times. For example, the tongue coating is mostly thick and/or light yellow, with summer dampness in summer; it is dry and thin in autumn; in winter the tongue is usually moist. The tongue coating tends to be thicker when we wake up, and becomes thinner after eating. The colour of the tongue is more dark and stagnated when getting up in the morning and turns redder after moving about.

2. Ages and Body Constitutions

The tongue manifestation can change along with the different ages and body constitutions. For example, the tongue body of an elderly person may appear as cracked and the papillae atrophied, which is due to deficiency of qi and blood. The tongue manifestation of the child is light, tender without or with less tongue coating. The tongue manifestation of an overweight person is mostly large and light; on the other hand, the tongue manifestation of an underweight person is thin and reddish.