Decreased Menstrual Flow in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Fine (Xi), Weak (Ruo), Empty (Xu), Slowed-down (Huan)

The tongue body is characteristically pale, reflecting both Qi and Blood insufficiency. It may be slightly thin due to Blood failing to fill the tongue body, or it may show teeth marks on the edges if the Spleen Qi component is pronounced, causing the tongue to become slightly swollen and soft against the teeth. The coating is thin and white, which is consistent with a deficiency pattern without Heat or Dampness involvement. In more chronic cases, the tongue may appear slightly dry if Blood deficiency is more severe, but this is not a primary feature of the base pattern. The undersurface veins should appear normal and not distended.

Fine (Xi), Weak (Ruo), Empty (Xu), Slowed-down (Huan)

The tongue body is characteristically pale, reflecting both Qi and Blood insufficiency. It may be slightly thin due to Blood failing to fill the tongue body, or it may show teeth marks on the edges if the Spleen Qi component is pronounced, causing the tongue to become slightly swollen and soft against the teeth. The coating is thin and white, which is consistent with a deficiency pattern without Heat or Dampness involvement. In more chronic cases, the tongue may appear slightly dry if Blood deficiency is more severe, but this is not a primary feature of the base pattern. The undersurface veins should appear normal and not distended.

Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)

The tongue body is characteristically dark purple or has an uneven dusky hue. Stasis spots (purple-blue dots or patches) may be scattered across the tongue surface, particularly along the edges. The sublingual veins are often the most telling feature: they appear distended, tortuous, and dark purple or even blue-black in colour. When Blood stasis is more advanced, these veins may branch into a web-like pattern. The coating is typically thin and white, though if the stagnation has begun generating Heat over time, a slight yellow tinge may appear. In cases where Qi stagnation predominates early on, the tongue may only appear slightly dark red rather than fully purple, progressing to deeper purple as Blood stasis worsens.

Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)

The tongue body is characteristically dark purple or has an uneven dusky hue. Stasis spots (purple-blue dots or patches) may be scattered across the tongue surface, particularly along the edges. The sublingual veins are often the most telling feature: they appear distended, tortuous, and dark purple or even blue-black in colour. When Blood stasis is more advanced, these veins may branch into a web-like pattern. The coating is typically thin and white, though if the stagnation has begun generating Heat over time, a slight yellow tinge may appear. In cases where Qi stagnation predominates early on, the tongue may only appear slightly dark red rather than fully purple, progressing to deeper purple as Blood stasis worsens.

Slippery (Hua), Deep (Chen), Slowed-down (Huan)

The tongue body is typically pale and swollen, often appearing puffy and soft with clear teeth marks along the edges. This reflects the Spleen's inability to transform fluids properly, allowing Dampness to saturate the tissues. The coating is characteristically white and greasy, sometimes described as sticky or slippery, and is often thicker at the root of the tongue (corresponding to the lower burner where the uterus sits). If the coating begins to turn yellowish, this suggests early Heat transformation and a shift towards a Damp-Heat pattern.

Slippery (Hua), Deep (Chen), Slowed-down (Huan)

The tongue body is typically pale and swollen, often appearing puffy and soft with clear teeth marks along the edges. This reflects the Spleen's inability to transform fluids properly, allowing Dampness to saturate the tissues. The coating is characteristically white and greasy, sometimes described as sticky or slippery, and is often thicker at the root of the tongue (corresponding to the lower burner where the uterus sits). If the coating begins to turn yellowish, this suggests early Heat transformation and a shift towards a Damp-Heat pattern.