What Your Tongue Is Telling You About Your Circulation In TCM

For this article, we'll stick with a pale, ash-gray tongue. (Find the full tongue map and what it means for health here.) According to Bourassa, a pale tongue goes hand in hand with the flow of blood. "If your perfect tongue is light pink, no fur, damp and a little shiny, a blood-deficient tongue is a little paler."

Sometimes it can even turn a gray hue, says Bourassa. “Just like you would think of someone who doesn't have enough blood – they (can) go pale in the face. It is the same with the tongue. "We should note that this is different from a purple or dark tongue – in TCM this could indicate circulatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, according to research.

Of course, we cannot say with the utmost confidence that if you have a pale tongue, you have poor blood circulation. However, if you notice other sluggish symptoms (think of low energy, cold hands, or digestive problems), a good, long look at your tongue may be able to alert you. The next step would be to consult a professional who can help treat these problems, whatever that may be. Remember: tongue reading is a sign, not a solution – it's the first step in recognizing imbalances in your body, but then it's up to you to get the job done. To follow the TCM route, here are acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional therapies that can help move stagnant energy and get your blood flowing.