Dry Tongue in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dry tongue patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Dry tongue, also known as lingual dryness, is a condition characterized by insufficient moisture on the surface of the tongue. This can result in a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including a rough or sticky feeling in the mouth, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and changes in taste perception. A dry tongue often appears red, cracked, or may have a patchy white coating. This condition can be caused by various factors, including dehydration, certain medications, autoimmune disorders like Sjögren's syndrome, or as a side effect of medical treatments such as radiation therapy. Persistent dry tongue can lead to oral health issues and significantly impact quality of life. While often overlooked, a dry tongue can be an important indicator of underlying health concerns and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional if it persists.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches dry tongue through the lens of pattern diagnosis, a fundamental concept that distinguishes it from Western medical approaches. In TCM, a dry tongue is seen as a manifestation of underlying imbalances within the body's energy systems, particularly involving the Yin aspect and Body Fluids. This holistic view considers not just the localized symptom in the mouth, but how it relates to overall bodily functions, energy flow, and organ interactions.
Identifying the correct pattern is crucial because it guides the entire treatment strategy. For dry tongue, patterns might involve Yin deficiency, Body Fluids Deficiency, or the presence of pathogenic factors like Dryness or Wind. By addressing these root patterns, TCM aims to restore balance and promote healing more comprehensively than treating the symptom in isolation.
TCM Patterns for Dry Tongue
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Dry tongue
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Dry tongue
Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
Dry tongue
Along with: Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry mouth, Dizziness, Blurry vision, Insomnia, Vivid dreaming, Hair graying, Hair loss
Body Fluids Deficiency
Causes: Dry tongue
Body Fluids Deficiency
Dry tongue
Along with: Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry throat, Dry stools
Phlegm
Causes: Dry tongue
Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
Dry tongue
Along with: Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension, Diarrhea, Weight loss
Dryness
Causes: Dry tongue
Dry-Wind
Dry tongue
Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Dry cough, Sore throat
Wind
Causes: Dry tongue
Dry-Wind
Dry tongue
Along with: Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Dry cough, Sore throat
Heat
Causes: Dry tongue
Heat in the Large Intestine
Dry tongue
Along with: Constipation, Mouth burning sensation, Anal burning, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools
Herbal Formulas for Dry Tongue
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dry tongue
Sang Xing Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears and disperses Dryness
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Dry-Wind
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat...
Xing Su San
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Dry-Cold
- Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough
- Transforms thin mucus
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry throat...
Er Zhi Wan
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver Yin
- Nourishes Kidney Yin
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Deficiency of the Liver and Kidney Yin
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Sore knees, Lower back pain, Knee weakness, Dry mouth, Dizziness, Blurry vision...
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Moistens the Intestines
- Invigorates Qi
- Unblocks the bowels
- Drains Heat
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Heat in the Large Intestine
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Constipation, Mouth burning sensation, Anal burning, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)
- Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions
- Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension, Diarrhea...
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry throat...
Zuo Gui Yin
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Tonifies the Kidneys
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Reverses the flow of Rebellious Stomach Qi
- Relieves both Heat and Cold Stagnation in the gastrointestinal tract
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension, Diarrhea...
Zeng Ye Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Essence
- Lubricates Dryness
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Body Fluids Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Skin dryness, Dry mouth, Dry nose, Dry cough, Dry lips, Dry throat...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension, Diarrhea...
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal distention, Vomiting clear liquid, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Stomach splashing sound, Chest distension, Diarrhea...
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Addresses these dry tongue patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi
Addresses These Dry Tongue Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Dry tongue
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...