What Causes Tongue Coating to Have a Serrated Appearance?

Update Date: 2024-06-12 Source: Network

A serrated tongue coating may be caused by internal heat, indigestion, decreased spleen and stomach function, or inflammation of the tongue. When this occurs, the first step should be to adjust the diet, maintain a light diet, drink plenty of water, and consume more fruits and vegetables. This can help alleviate the condition. Additionally, it is important to establish a good habit of brushing teeth in the morning and evening.

In traditional Chinese medicine, a serrated tongue coating is often interpreted as a sign of dampness and spleen deficiency. However, it cannot be conclusively stated that a serrated tongue coating is solely due to spleen deficiency, as there may be other factors involved. Nevertheless, in many cases, a damp tongue coating is associated with spleen deficiency.

Spleen deficiency can lead to weakened water metabolism functions, resulting in the accumulation of dampness in the tongue body. When the teeth press against the swollen tongue, it forms the appearance of a serrated tongue coating. People with spleen deficiency may exhibit symptoms such as swollen tongue, excess dampness, spleen qi deficiency, and relaxed tongue muscles.

When a serrated tongue coating is observed, dietary adjustments can be made as a first step. For example, cooking a porridge with yam, coix seed, and rice, or drinking water infused with coix seed, may help. If these dietary changes do not produce any improvement after a period of time, seeking treatment from a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner is recommended. It is also important to maintain a regular diet, avoid cold and greasy foods, eat meals regularly, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In some cases, taking appropriate Chinese herbal medicine may be beneficial.