Last week, I was flipping through an entertainment magazine when a candid photo of George Clooney caught my eye. His mouth was open, revealing a pale tongue with a thick white coating. The caption below read something like, who'd want to kiss someone with a tongue like that?

Poor George. The truth is, however, that in Chinese medicine, the appearance of your tongue can reveal a lot about your health. Tongue diagnosis is an important part of the assessment. During an examination, a Chinese medical doctor usually looks at the overall tongue coating, shape, and color. Then he or she looks at specific areas on the tongue. In Chinese medicine, different areas of the tongue are believed to reflect the health of the different organ systems. If there is an unusual color, coating, and/or shape in a certain area, special attention is paid to the corresponding organ system.

Tongue diagnosis can also be used to confirm a diagnosis. As with any assessment method, the doctor doesn't rely on tongue diagnosis alone, but uses it to provide a complete picture of a person's health.

Below are some of the guidelines Chinese medical doctors use to assess the tongue. This is only a selection of many different types of patterns.

What is the Tongue Color?

The tongue color is normally a light red color, indicating that a person's vital energy (qi) is strong. It also reflects the health of the internal organs and blood circulation. Changes in the tongue color usually reflect chronic illness.

What is the Tongue Shape?

The tongue shape is normally not too thick or thin, and the tongue body is smooth with no cracks. Changes in the tongue shape usually reflect chronic illness involving blood, qi, or body fluids.

What does the Tongue Coating Look Like?

The tongue coating is normally thin and white. A pale yellow and slightly thicker coating at the back of the tongue may also be normal. The tongue coating often indicates the health of the spleen and stomach. It also provides a good indication of acute illness, such as colds and digestive problems.

Are there any Specific Problem Areas?

Each area connected to specific internal organs. For example, a thick yellow coating at back of tongue may be a sign of damp heat in intestines, bladder or uterus.

Other Tongue Tips

• Some disorders don't show up on the tongue.
• Tongue is usually examined for no longer than 15 seconds at a time. If it's extended for longer, the tension may alter the shape or color.
• The tongue should be examined under natural light.
• Before examination, don't eat foods that may discolor the tongue, such as coffee, beets, vitamin C, and foods made with artificial food coloring.

This article is meant for information only. An accurate tongue assessment using the Chinese medical system can only be made in person by a qualified practitioner.