Hot Tongueaccording to TCM

What is Hot Tongue?

Hot tongue, medically known as glossodynia, refers to a sensation of heat or burning in the tongue. This symptom can occur in isolation or be accompanied by other signs such as dryness, redness, or swelling of the tongue. The discomfort may vary in intensity and can interfere with taste, eating, and speaking. While Western medicine often associates hot tongue with conditions like burning mouth syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, or oral infections, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a different perspective, attributing this symptom to underlying internal imbalances.

How does TCM View Hot Tongue?

In TCM, hot tongue is viewed as a manifestation of internal Heat or excess Yang within the body. This Heat can arise from various patterns of disharmony, such as heat in the Heart or Stomach, or an accumulation of Damp-Heat. Unlike Western medicine, which focuses on symptomatic relief, TCM emphasizes identifying and treating the root cause of the Heat.

Proper diagnosis is crucial, as different patterns require different treatments. For instance, Heart heat might be treated with herbs that clear Heart fire, while Damp-Heat would necessitate a different therapeutic approach.

Acupoints for Hot Tongue

To alleviate the sensation of hot tongue, TCM practitioners often employ acupuncture, targeting specific acupoints to clear heat and restore balance. One effective point is Wenliu (LI-7) on the Large Intestine Channel. Located 5 cun above the wrist crease, Wenliu is known for its Heat-clearing properties and its ability to remove obstructions from the channel. This point also helps regulate the intestines, supporting overall digestive health, which can be crucial in addressing the underlying causes of hot tongue.

In addition to Wenliu, other acupoints may be used depending on the patient's specific pattern of disharmony. The combination of acupuncture and herbal therapy aims to treat both the symptom and its root cause, providing holistic and sustainable relief for individuals experiencing the discomfort of a hot tongue.

See more details below about Wenliu LI-7, an acupoint used to address hot tongue.

Wenliu LI-7

When a fist is made, with the ulnar side downward and elbow flexed, the point is 5 cun above Yangxi LI-5 at the wrist crease, 1 cun distal to the midpoint of the line joining Yangxi LI-5 and Quchi LI-11.