Dry tongue according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Dry tongue can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like dry tongue here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here dry tongue is often associated with dry mouth, dry throat and dry skin in the pattern “Body Fluids Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause dry tongue.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dry tongue we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat dry tongue.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause dry tongue
In Chinese Medicine dry tongue is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren) is the king ingredient for Xing Su San, a formula used for Body Fluids Deficiency
Body Fluids Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue shape: Cracked
If Body Fluids - all liquids in the body other than Blood - are Deficient, then this leads to many symptoms of Dryness.
In addition to dry tongue, other symptoms associated with Body Fluids Deficiency include dry mouth, dry throat and dry skin.
Body Fluids Deficiency is often treated with Xing Su San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Apricot Seeds - Xing Ren - as a key herb). Xing Su San belongs to the category of "formulas that disperse dryness and moisten", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Dry-Cold".
Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye) is the king ingredient for Sang Xing Tang, a formula used for Dry-Wind
Dry-Wind
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
In addition to dry tongue, other symptoms associated with Dry-Wind include dry mouth, dry throat and dry skin.
Dry-Wind is often treated with Sang Xing Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Mulberry Leaves - Sang Ye - as a key herb). Sang Xing Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears and disperses Dryness".
The Large Intestine is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Heat in the Large Intestine
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
In addition to dry tongue, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Large Intestine include dry stools, constipation and anus swelling.
Heat in the Large Intestine is often treated with Ma Zi Ren Wan, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Hemp Seeds - Huo Ma Ren - as a key herb). Ma Zi Ren Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that moisten intestines and unblock bowels", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Moistens the Intestines".
Five herbal formulas that might help with dry tongue
Xing Su San
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Clears Dry-Cold. Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough. Transforms thin mucus.
Why might Xing Su San help with dry tongue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Body Fluids Deficiency' of which dry tongue is a symptom.
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Source date: 1573 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin. Lubricates the Lung and clears phlegm.
Why might Bai He Gu Jin Tang help with dry tongue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Body Fluids Deficiency' of which dry tongue is a symptom.
Zeng Ye Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and Essence. Lubricates Dryness.
Why might Zeng Ye Tang help with dry tongue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Body Fluids Deficiency' of which dry tongue is a symptom.
Sang Xing Tang
Why might Sang Xing Tang help with dry tongue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dry-Wind' of which dry tongue is a symptom.
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Intestines. Invigorates Qi. Unblocks the bowels. Drains Heat.
Why might Ma Zi Ren Wan help with dry tongue?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Large Intestine' of which dry tongue is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for dry tongue
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dry tongue
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with dry tongue?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dry tongue as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Xiao Chai Hu Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with dry tongue?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dry tongue as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Zuo Gui Yin for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with dry tongue?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dry tongue as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Yin or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with dry tongue?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dry tongue as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with dry tongue?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dry tongue as a symptom, like Dang Gui Di Huang Yin or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Other symptoms often associated with dry tongue
Dizziness Dry mouth Dry throat Night sweats Hot flushes Dry skin Tinnitus Dry stools Blurred vision Insomnia