Yellow tongue coating: is it due to dampness or excessive heat?
Nov 29, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
In general, yellow tongue coating may indicate either excessive dampness or excessive heat, and the specific cause needs to be determined based on individual symptoms. If the yellow tongue coating is accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth, bitter taste, oral ulcers, irritability, and anger, it may indicate excessive internal heat. However, if the yellow tongue coating is accompanied by symptoms such as heaviness and fatigue in the limbs, abdominal fullness and distension, and poor appetite, it may be related to excessive dampness.
Generally speaking, yellow tongue coating can indicate either excessive dampness or excessive heat in the body, and a specific diagnosis should be made according to individual symptoms. If yellow tongue coating is accompanied by symptoms such as dry and bitter mouth, oral ulcers, irritability, and anger, it may indicate excessive internal heat. However, if yellow tongue coating is accompanied by heavy limbs, abdominal distension, poor appetite, and other symptoms, it may be related to excessive dampness. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and follow standard treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If yellow tongue coating is caused by excessive internal heat, it is usually accompanied by symptoms such as dry and bitter mouth, oral ulcers, irritability, dark and scanty urine, and dry constipation. This is because excessive internal heat affects the tongue surface, causing the tongue coating to appear yellow. For example, consuming excessive spicy, hot, or greasy foods, or unhealthy lifestyle habits such as emotional stress and long-term sleep deprivation, may all lead to excessive internal heat.
When yellow tongue coating is caused by excessive dampness, it is often accompanied by symptoms such as heavy limbs, abdominal distension, poor appetite, and sticky stools. When dampness and heat pathogens intermingle, causing internal accumulation of damp-heat, the tongue coating turns yellow. For example, long-term exposure to a damp living environment or weakened function of the spleen and stomach, which leads to impaired water metabolism, can easily cause internal dampness accumulation, which may eventually generate heat and result in yellow tongue coating.
In daily life, maintaining healthy habits such as balanced diet, moderate exercise, and adequate sleep can help prevent and improve yellow tongue coating.
