Traditional Chinese Medicine Tongue Diagnosis Knowledge: Basic Healthy Tongue Appearance

From “Xuan Yin Yi Mi‘s Jiu Chang Ji · Ding Wu“: “Tongue the color of a fresh peach indicates harmonious stomach Qi.”

From “Ao Shi Shang Han Jin Jing Lu“: “Pale red tongue with a thin, white, and moist coating is the tongue of a person without illness.”

Wang Hong’s “Wang Zhen Zun Jing“: “The tongue color of a healthy person is pale red and moist, with a thin white and non-dry coating.”

Pale red tongue: reflects harmonious qi and blood, sufficient and normally circulating blood. Modern medicine suggests that the rich capillaries in the lingual papillae, indicated by a pale red color, point to moderate hemoglobin concentration and good microcirculation.

Pale red tongue and balanced constitution: Multiple constitution studies (such as the “Research on Tongue Appearance Characteristics of TCM Constitution Based on Literature and Expert Consultation”) indicate that a pale red tongue is the core marker of a balanced constitution (healthy physique), suggesting coordinated organ function.

In simpler terms: like a freshly washed strawberry, rosy but not deep red. This indicates smooth blood flow, without “traffic jams” (qi and blood harmony). If it’s too pale (like faded), there might be “low fuel” (anemia, etc.); if it’s too red (like dragon fruit), there might be an “overheated engine” (internal heat or heat syndromes, etc.).

Thin white coating: TCM believes it’s formed by the upward steaming of stomach qi. A thin, white, and even coating indicates normal spleen and stomach function, without accumulation of phlegm-dampness or heat pathogens. Modern medicine finds that a thin white coating is related to balanced oral flora and a suitable metabolic rate of epithelial cells.

Moist and without cracks: A moist, non-dry tongue surface suggests sufficient body fluids and an intact mucous membrane barrier.

In simpler terms, a thin tongue coating is like a thin layer of frost on a winter window, even and translucent. It represents a “clean and tidy” oral environment (normal stomach qi, balanced flora). If the coating is thick (like accumulated snow), there might be “garbage accumulation” (indigestion, etc.); if it turns yellow (like rust), there might be an “overheated system” (presence of heat syndrome).

Moist and without cracks is like a green plant that has just been watered, neither dry nor sticky. It indicates “smooth water pipes” (sufficient body fluids). If it’s too dry (like a withered leaf), there might be “lack of water”; if it’s too slippery (like coated with oil), there might be “poor drainage” (dampness in the body).