Tongue Coating Distribution and Root
Indications associated with the tongue coating distribution and root.
By observing the root of the tongue coating, we may know
the strength of the anti-pathogenic qi and evil qi,
deficiency and excess,
and the presence or absence of Stomach qi.
deficiency or cold syndromes, declining Stomach qi
This coating is insubstantial. It seems to be painted on to
the tongue’s surface. It is easily scraped off the tongue
and doesn’t seem to even grow from the tongue.
Unrooted
excess or heat syndrome, no damage to Stomach qi
This coating is stable, substantial, and closely sticks to
the tongue’s surface and is not easily scraped off.
Root
Rooted
indications
indications
By observing the loss of tongue coating, we may
determine the state of the Stomach’s yin and qi
impending exhaustion of the
Stomach yin or qi, poor prognosis
The coating is absent over the entire tongue.
This vhealthportal.com/product/luvox/ gives rise to a very shiny appearance on the tongue.Mirror
injury to the yin or qi of the Stomach
This coating is missing in some areas and abundant in others.
The border between the areas will be obvious, not a gradient.
Peeled
Geographic
Indications Coats
indications
indications
the strength of the anti-pathogenic qi and evil qi,
deficiency and excess,
and the presence or absence of Stomach qi.
deficiency or cold syndromes, declining Stomach qi
This coating is insubstantial. It seems to be painted on to
the tongue’s surface. It is easily scraped off the tongue
and doesn’t seem to even grow from the tongue.
Unrooted
excess or heat syndrome, no damage to Stomach qi
This coating is stable, substantial, and closely sticks to
the tongue’s surface and is not easily scraped off.
Root
Rooted
indications
indications
By observing the loss of tongue coating, we may
determine the state of the Stomach’s yin and qi
impending exhaustion of the
Stomach yin or qi, poor prognosis
The coating is absent over the entire tongue.
This vhealthportal.com/product/luvox/ gives rise to a very shiny appearance on the tongue.Mirror
injury to the yin or qi of the Stomach
This coating is missing in some areas and abundant in others.
The border between the areas will be obvious, not a gradient.
Peeled
Geographic
Indications Coats
indications
indications
More tongue diagnosis charts:
Tongue coatings
- Tongue coating colors
- Tongue coating – thickness, moisture, viscosity
- Tongue coating – distribution and root
Tongue body flexibility
- Tongue body movement – limp, stiff, trembling
- Tongue body movement – deviated, short, licking, curving
Tongue body color
- Tongue body color – pale, red, crimson, purple, blue
- The pale tongue body, and the pink tongue body
- The red tongue body
- The crimson (red-purple) tongue body
- The purple (and green-purple) tongue body
This page links to sample charts from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis Study Guide by Yi Qiao, L.Ac., and Al Stone, L.Ac., DAOM. Buy it now or check out the sample pages at Eastland Press.
Last modified: August 16, 2009 
Tags: Diagnosis, Observation В· Posted in: Tongue-Observation
