When we study the pathology of the Internal Organs, for the Spleen, we generally emphasize Spleen-Qi deficiency and Spleen-Yang deficiency. This is understandable as these two patterns are indeed extremely common. By contrast, when it comes to the Stomach, we do mention Stomach-Yin deficiency. In fact, some people say that this is a well-known contradiction: … Read More
tongue diagnosis
Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine – Chest/Breast Area
The “chest/breast” area is on the sides of the tongue, between the centre part and the tip. The chest area reflects a pathology of three organs: heart or lungs in men and women or breast in women. The chest area reflects pathologies of the lungs, heart or breast but in a Western medical sense. A … Read More
TCM: Yin Deficiency and Empty Heat in Chinese Medicine
Empty Heat derives from Yin deficiency and the two pathological conditions (Yin deficiency and Empty Heat) are often considered as one. All modern Chinese books include Empty Heat clinical manifestations under the patterns of Yin deficiency. For example, under the pattern of Lung-Yin deficiency they will have dry throat and dry cough (Yin deficiency) and … Read More
Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine
An essential tool in Chinese medicine, the Tongue nearly always shows the true condition of the patient. It is particularly useful in complex, chronic conditions manifesting with contradicting symptoms and signs. Its strength relies in the fact that it is nearly always reliable and objective. Compared to pulse diagnosis, it is also much easier to … Read More
Chinese Medicine: The Tongue in the Elderly
Tongue diagnosis plays a very important role in the prevention of disease especially in the elderly. Middle-aged and elderly patients often show abnormal signs on the tongue in the absence of any obvious disease. Elderly people often suffer from Internal Wind, Blood stasis, Phlegm, Heat or Yin deficiency or a combination of these. For example, … Read More
Chinese Medicine: Chest and Breast Area on the Tongue
The “chest” area is on the sides of the tongue, between the centre part and the tip. The chest area reflects a pathology of three organs: heart, lungs or breast in women. Changes in this area to look for are: 1) Changes in colour (usually purple or red) 2) Changes in body shape (usually swollen … Read More
Chinese Medicine: Stomach Crack on the Tongue
The Stomach crack on the tongue is rather wide and it is in the central section of the tongue (corresponding to Middle Burner). To contrast and compare the Heart and Stomach cracks, the former is rather narrow and runs all along the tongue from near the root to near the tip, while the latter is … Read More
Acupuncture Clinical Tip of the Day no. 2 – Heart crack
The Heart crack on the tongue is relatively common. This crack is in the midline extending from near the root to near the tip; it therefore extends nearly the whole length of the tongue. The Heart crack indicates the constitutional tendency to mental-emotional problems: the deeper the crack, the stronger this tendency. If the Heart … Read More