How Does the Colour of Your Tongue Map Your Gut?

What Do Different Shades of Tongue Mean?

Do you know what a healthy tongue should look like? A healthy tongue should be pink, with a thin white coating on the surface. 

The concern starts when your tongue changes its colour from pink. This change could be a sign of an underlying gut condition.

In holistic healthcare, tongue diagnosis is a simple, noninvasive method that can provide valuable insights into various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gastritis, precancerous lesions, and liver, pancreas, and lung cancers. 

Check if your tongue has any of the following colours, and read on to know how the colour of your tongue maps your gut.

PS: The natural colour of your tongue may be different from your friends' due to differences in genetic body constitution (Prakriti). Check your body constitution by taking this 'Prakriti quiz'.

White Tongue 

What does a white coat on your tongue mean? If you have a white coating on the tongue, it may be a result of debris, dead cells, or bacteria. It may not always be a signal of health issues. However, if that white coating remains long and doesn't go off even after scraping, it may be because of oral thrush, a fungal infection or a precancerous condition. Let's keep that discussion for another day and focus on the gut.

So, what does the white coating on your tongue indicate about your gut?

• Light, white tongue coating means poor digestive function. 
• On the other hand, a heavily coated tongue may be caused by excessive pathogenic fluid in your body, indicating poor digestion.

Yellow Tongue

What does a yellow tongue mean? Are yellow tongue and liver issues connected? Oh yes! If you find a yellowish tint on your tongue, it could be evidence of liver or gallbladder issues. 

But at times, you may see yellowness on the tongue from poor oral hygiene, dehydration, or excessive bacteria. So, check if your lifestyle factors are in place to interpret the significance of the yellow colour on your tongue.

Pale Tongue

What does a Pale tongue mean? A pale tongue means your tongue doesn't get enough blood circulation. So you may find your tongue pale if you have anaemia (Anaemia occurs when there aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body's organs.) One of the causes of anaemia is not getting enough iron through your food or if your gut isn't absorbing the nutrients well enough.

Other than the above colours, your tongue may have various other colours, such as black, purple, orange, black, and greyish, which are not directly related to your gut but to some serious underlying health issues.

Whatever it may be, it's crucial to consult your healthcare provider if your tongue colour has changed from the usual.

A Holistic Outlook to Tongue Diagnosis  

Tongue mapping is a part of tongue diagnosis practised in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), indicating areas on the tongue concerning internal organs. The health expert can understand your current nutritional and metabolic state by looking at both the body of your tongue and the coating on it. 

What does a coated tongue signify in Holistic Healthcare according to the position of the coating on the tongue?

• The tip of the tongue - Heart and Lung related issues
   
• Centre of the tongue - Stomach, Spleen and pancreas-related issues
   
• Sides of the tongue - Liver and Gallbladder related issues
   
• Back of the tongue - Kidney, Bladder and Intestines related issues

Interesting? Here's something more from Nirva Health experts.

The Ayurvedic Perspective 

Have you ever wondered why an Ayurvedic health expert always asks you to stick out your tongue during a check-up? It might seem strange, but the tongue contains much information about your health. 

It's one of the first things Ayurvedic experts will examine when assessing your well-being. So, stick out your tongue next time you visit an Ayurvedic practitioner - it could reveal much about your health!

Let's see what different colours of a coated tongue signify to Nirva Ayurveda Experts.

"A white film on your tongue means a toxic buildup within the body system due to improper digestive and metabolic fire (agni). You may notice that whenever you have an unusually thick coating on your tongue, you will have symptoms like indigestion, fatigue, bloating and constipation.", says Dr Israa Ismail, Senior Ayurveda Consultant at Nirva.

Another critical aspect of ayurvedic tongue diagnosis to map your gut health is understanding the presence of dosha (body bioenergy) imbalance through tongue colour. Such as;

• Vata Imbalance - Blackish blue discolouration
• Pitta Imbalance - Yellowish or reddish discolouration
• Kapha Imbalance - Pale or heavily coated tongue 

The dosha imbalance may be due to underlying health conditions. Connect with our Ayurveda experts to know what they may be!

It's time to put your tongue out and check!

Don't be too worried. Sometimes, there will be hardly anything wrong with your internal health, even if your tongue has a different colour. That is because the colour may come from several other factors. Read on to know what they are.

Other Factors Influencing Tongue Colour

Beyond health conditions, many other factors influence your tongue colour. Here are some factors to consider;

Pigmented Foods

Did you eat beetroot for your lunch? If yes, then that may be the reason for that pink tongue. Consuming foods such as berries, beets, carrots, and certain spices can temporarily stain your tongue.

Food Dyes

If you have consumed any foods or beverages containing artificial colourings or dyes, those can impact your tongue's colour. Some bring candies, drinks, or processed foods may have them.

Regular Use of Beverages

Are you a coffee-head? Your tongue can say! If you are a regular coffee or tea consumer, especially the dark varieties, that can lead to tongue staining. Even regular consumption of red wine gives a red colour.

Tobacco Use

If you are a smoker or a person who uses tobacco products regularly, then it will give a brownish-black stain on your tongue and teeth.

Oral Hygiene

"Brush, brush, brush your teeth. Brush them every day!" Yes, you must. Having poor oral care and not regularly brushing and flossing leads to a buildup of a whitish coating on your tongue. This coating may go off after you practise tongue scraping.

Medications

Some medications cause changes in your tongue colour as a side effect. Some of them are certain antibiotics, antipsychotics and heart medications.

However, what you must note is that all these factors are temporary. The stain or coating must go off once you stop the above cause. The most essential aspect to be mindful of is that if you experience any symptoms of an underlying health condition related to an unusual tongue colour, you must immediately consult a healthcare professional. 

To Sum Up!

Paying serious attention to your tongue colour is indispensable. Tongue diagnosis is a crucial part of understanding gut health. Also, keeping good oral hygiene reflects on the health of gut microbiota. Doing so can prevent various health issues and improve your overall well-being. 

Start by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep habits. If you notice any unusual changes in your tongue's colour, texture, or appearance, be sure to seek professional advice. 

Let's prioritise tongue health, pay attention to changes, and care for our gut for optimal health. Are you with us?