Why Does My Tongue Turn White When I Have an Internal Heat Disorder?

In traditional Chinese medicine, the color of the tongue can be used to diagnose different types of illnesses. If the tongue appears white and is covered with a thick layer of white fur, it is likely due to a deficiency of both qi and blood. If the white tongue fur is caused by internal heat, it is recommended to maintain a lighter diet and consume foods that can reduce internal heat to quickly improve the condition.

1. A pale tongue with thin white fur is often indicative of a deficiency of both qi and blood.

2. If the tongue fur is thin, white, and excessively smooth, it is commonly associated with exterior syndromes and cold syndromes, indicating wind-cold.

3. A thin, white, and dry tongue fur is more commonly seen in exterior heat syndromes or dryness syndromes, indicating wind-heat.

4. Thick and greasy white tongue fur is often indicative of damp-cold syndromes.

5. A white, smooth, and moist tongue fur indicates cold syndromes or damp-cold syndromes, often indicating coldness injuring the middle qi, causing qi deficiency and yin cold to descend. A white, smooth, sticky, and thick tongue fur is often seen in cases of dampness and phlegm in the body or dampness affecting the spleen.

6. Thick and dry white tongue fur is indicative of excess heat syndromes, representing dampness turning into heat and injuring body fluids. It is commonly seen in various gastric and intestinal inflammations as well as halitosis.

1. Maintain a Light Diet: A thick tongue fur suggests poor digestive function. Therefore, it is recommended to reduce the intake of meat and fatty foods and consume more easily digestible foods. If reducing meat intake is difficult, white meat such as fish and chicken can be used as a substitute for red meat like beef, pork, and lamb as it is easier to digest. Consume sufficient vegetables daily, such as celery and rape, to increase gastrointestinal motility and promote digestion.

2. Consume Foods That Strengthen the Spleen and Stomach: When the spleen and stomach are not in harmony, the tongue fur tends to be thicker. It is essential to consume foods that strengthen the spleen and stomach regularly, such as apples, which can tonify the spleen, replenish qi, benefit the stomach, generate fluids, and moisten dryness. Eating more foods like cabbage, spinach, pumpkin, and carrots is also beneficial for tonifying the spleen and stomach. To enhance the effect of strengthening the spleen and stomach, herbs like ginseng, poria cocos, astragalus, atractylodes, and licorice can be combined with food to create medicinal dishes.