Ayurvedic Tongue Analysis: What's Your Tongue Telling You?

The ancient art of tongue analysis has its roots in the science of Ayurveda, although many other ancient Eastern healing systems use this method as well, including Chinese medicine. When we use the tongue as a tool for analysis and diagnosis, we are looking at the shape, shadings, markings, wetness, texture, and even the way someone sticks out there tongue. Having this knowledge can help describe the current state of a person's (or animal's) health, as well as his or her genetic tendencies. It is a diagnostic technique, and it can reveal an existing disease process and disclose many things about a person on many levels. Much like reflexology, all the organs and the entire body can be located on specific regions of the tongue. As a mirror of the body's digestive system, the tongue can reflect what minerals and vitamins may be deficient and can reveal the health of other various organs in the body.
 

Benefits of tongue diagnosis include:

• Self-diagnosis and monitoring one's state of health on a daily basis.
• The beauty of tongue diagnosis is in its simplicity and immediacy.
• Determines one's unique inherited constitution.
• Assesses a person's current health condition.
• Used as an early detector for disorders in the body.
• Informs the practitioner about the underlying cause of disease.
• Is an accurate way of determining what is happening in the digestive system: liver, stomach, spleen, small and large intestines.
• Reveals the stage and progression of a particular illness.
• Shows the quality of the individual's energy production.
• Reflects the quality of the circulation of prana, blood, bodily fluids and essence.
• Reveals the quality and balance of the five elements as revealed within the organs and overall body chemistry.
• Determines the acid-alkaline pH balance.
• Mirrors the condition of the bodily fluids, function of the organs, strengths and depth of the pathogenic factors in the body.
• Assists in determining the cause of illness.
• Reveals the emotional aspects relative to the constitution.
• Pathological processes for disorders that war full of contradictions are quickly clarified.
  
  Ayurvedic Tongue Diagnosis, by Walter "Shantree" Kacera, D.N., Ph. D.

A healthy tongue should look like a kitten's tongue: symmetric and evenly pink. It is neither too thick nor too thin, and oval in shape. When the tongue is sticking out, it's naturally straight rather than curving to one side. It should remain still, not trembling, flaccid, flat-tipped or stiff. It should have a thin, transparent coating, coloring the tongue pink. All the taste buds are flat, orderly and free from strawberry-looking bumps, deep cuts, lines, cracks and patches. It should not have foam, hair, fur, be too dry or too wet or have a foul odor or taste.

It's helpful for massage therapists to know how to detect spinal imbalances, such as scoliosis, lordosis or kyphosis, just by examining the tongue. When the line in the middle of the tongue is curved or bent to one side, it is an indication of scoliosis. A crack in the front of the tongue near the tip on the right side would be an indication the client has pain in his or her right shoulder blade. The same goes for the other side. When the line is very deep and nearly split apart, it can be an indication of deep spinal pain or deep sorrow that is being stored in the spine.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha Pain Classification

Vata, pitta and kapha are called doshas. These words are from the Sanskrit language. The word dosha usually refers to an excess of biological principles that relate to the five great elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth. We all have a certain preponderance of vata, pitta and kapha within us and within the universe. When this delicate balance of vata, pitta and kapha is knocked out, we experience pain and symptoms of the disease process. Below are some helpful hints for how to determine what dosha is knocked out and what do about it.

It is very helpful not only to observe your client's tongues, but also to listen to how they describe their pain. If you can't figure out what's going on with their tongue, then break it down into sections by using the tongue chart. It's the one that is sectioned into vata, pitta and kapha. If your client has demarcations, lines, bumps, indents and other strange symptoms, for example, in the pitta section, you can determine they are experiencing high amounts of the fire element and internal inflammations. By knowing what dosha is the culprit, you can choose the right therapeutic protocols for them.
 

Kapha Pain

If the client apathetically describes his or her pain as dull, stubborn and stays in one place, this will be a clue that kapha (earth & water) is in excess within their bodies. Once you are sure it's kapha, you can recommend a kapha reducing diet, lifestyle and yoga postures. Give these recommendations with authority and conviction in your voice. Kapha is intrinsically lazy and will need you to really "push" them to take action. Do not use much oil, if any. They will respond best to a dry, stimulating massage such as Tui na, Shiatzu, Garshana (dry brushing) or Deep Thai Massage. Rigorous and vigorous therapy is indicated for them to release pain.

Pitta Pain

Your clients who have an excess of pitta (water & fire) will be obviously annoyed and impatient as they describe their pain with as sharp, burning and hot. Once you are sure it's pitta, you can recommend a pitta reducing diet, lifestyle and yoga postures. Give these recommendations in the form of "suggestions", not mandatory stipulations or rules. Better, yet, you can get your point across using questions, if you are clever. Pitta does not like to be told what to do. Use a moderate amount of oil, not too much. Apply a moderate amount of pressure and always check in with them to ask if the pressure is OK because they will usually have an opinion. They will usually want to tell you exactly how to massage them. It is best not to argue with a pitta client. They may need their ego stroked more than they need their muscles stroked.

Vata Pain

Your clients who have an excess of vata (ether + air), will be in a moderate amount of pain that is radiating, elusive, unpredictable or gripping. They usually experience pain more dramatically than pitta or kapha and can appear very needy and hopeful that you, the therapist, can help them. Once you are sure it's vata, you can recommend vata reducing diet, lifestyle and yoga postures. Give these recommendations with a soft, compassionate voice. Vata is like a delicate flower. Give them compression therapy and make your massage movements slow and confident. Use lots of oil. Use wringing and squeezing techniques.
 

 

Disclaimer: The Ayurvedic Tongue™ does not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical or medical problems without the advice of a physician. The intent of The Ayurvedic Tongue™ is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. The Ayurvedic Tongue™ assumes no liability for improper use of any information or techniques found on this site. Always consult a physician for any health-related issues.

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