The tongue is a mirror of health; its shape and color can indicate many diseases, according to the German Society for Classical Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. A healthy tongue should be firm, with a thin white coating, a smooth surface without indentations, and no raised red bumps. The veins under the tongue are thin and slightly full, while the mucous membrane under the tongue is pink. The society notes that the tongue can undergo the following changes: - Swollen and red tongue papillae (strawberry or raspberry tongue): This indicates a high body temperature, possibly fever or infectious diseases like scarlet fever. - Paleness: May be a sign of anemia, internal body coldness, or lack of energy. - Thick and swollen, often with tooth marks on the edges: This indicates a metabolic disorder. The body may suffer from excess moisture, and its basic functions may be weak. - Thick coating: This coating can also indicate poor nutrition and/or decreased metabolic efficiency. If the coating is yellow, it may also indicate a high body temperature. - Severe redness: If the tongue is bright red, it may indicate a high body temperature. The aforementioned red bumps often appear in this case. - Cracks: If cracks appear on the smooth surface of the tongue, this may indicate that the rise in temperature has led to a decrease in the body's fluid levels. - Tongue tremor: In this case, the body may suffer from an energy deficiency. The society emphasized the need to consult a doctor when noticing any of these signs to determine the real underlying cause and undergo appropriate treatment. Diet can overload metabolic processes by consuming large amounts of raw foods, cold drinks, dairy products, white flour, sugar, sweets, and processed foods, with a lack of fresh meals rich in vegetables and whole grains.
