Jihva Parīkshā

(examination of the tongue)

The tongue is an organ with two important primary functions; it can be considered a dual organ. It is an organ of speech, therefore it is a motor organ. It also processes the sense of taste, and is therefore a sensory organ. It is also the seat of Bodhaka Kapha and is vital in the first stages of digestion. By ‘reading’ or knowing the tongue, one can know and learn about the internal organs and corresponding aspects of the person being examined. Any discoloration, depressions/impressions, coating, or other physical abnormalities on areas of the tongue can give useful information to a practitioner working with a client. The different areas of the tongue are connected to the organs as illustrated in the diagram.

A healthy tongue looks ‘clean’ and has a pinkish color with no white coating. There may be a slight coating on the back of the tongue, which is a sign of āma (toxins) in the colon. This is usually no cause for concern, as this is just āma that has built up in the stomach or small intestines and moved into the colon. When the entire tongue is coated, however, it is a sign of systemic āma throughout the gastrointestinal tract and one should consult an Āyurvedic practitioner for guidance.

A Vāta tongue is thin, small, and brownish in color. Often there are ﬁne tremors or twitching, and the tongue looks a little dry. An overly dry tongue can indicate Vāta aggravation (which includes anxiety and fear), or dehydration. Vāta āma is dry, blackish or rough, and is located toward the back of the tongue, in the colon area.

A Pitta tongue is broad at the base and tapered at the tip. The tip is red and the margins are distinct and sharp. It often has a yellowish or reddish color and is generally moist. Pitta āma is yellowish-green in the middle portion of the tongue.
A Kapha tongue is large and will tend to occupy the entire oral cavity. It is wet, glossy, and fairly pale. Kapha āma is a pale, white color and is all over the tongue.

Care and Cleaning

A very useful and easy way to keep the tongue healthy is to scrape it daily. This will remove the build-up of bacteria and toxins that occurs overnight. Some people scrape the tongue at bedtime but this unduly stimulates the internal organs. Scraping the tongue should only be done in the morning on an empty stomach.

Extend the tongue and place the scraper as far back in the middle of the tongue as comfortable. In one long stroke, gently pull the scraper forward removing the coating on the tongue.
Rinse the scraper and begin again, scraping both the right and left sides of the tongue, rinsing the scraper in between doing each side.
it is important to not forcefully scrape the tongue or to excessively scrape it. Gentle strokes done once on each side and the middle is best.
If you experience a bit of ‘gag reflex’ while scraping the tongue, that is alright. Just be sure to not place the scraper too far back on the tongue as to cause the reflex with every stroke.
Scraping the tongue is a good way to begin the day and to get a look at the tongue. This can also help in coming to know the condition of the internal organs.

The tongue, as an organ of speech, should also be cared for by paying careful attention to the words that come across it. One should be aware of the meaning of, and intention behind, the words that are chosen to be spoken. When used to encourage, uplift, give appropriate counsel or advice, or to express compassion, empathy, caring and love, the tongue can be a great aid in the betterment of the physical and mental health and well being of the speaker and those who are spoken to.

Taste, Organs, and Emotions

In Āyurveda each taste corresponds to an area of the tongue, which in turn corresponds to a bodily organ (reference the diagram at top of page). Each taste and organ also has an emotional expression. The word rasa in Sanskrit means ‘taste’ and also has ‘emotion’ as one of its meanings. Much can be learned from observing the areas of the tongue, inquiring about diet, and noticing patterns and manifestations of physical and emotional cravings. A practitioner can then assist a client from a broader perspective and make ‘non-pharmaceutical’ recommendations in diet and lifestyle that can bring about healing.
The information contained in the chart and diagram below is for general reference. An excellent source of more detailed and in-depth info is: The Textbook of Āyurveda / Volume Three by Vasant Lad M.A.Sc. ISBN-13: 978-1-883725-14-3.

khādīnyātmā manah kalo diśaś ca dravya saṇgraha,

sendriyam cetanam dravyam nirindriyam acetanam.

This group: {the five elements, self, mind, time and space} are substances / matter.

Matter having sense organs is conscious while matter without sense organs is unconscious.

Āyurvedic Sūtra