Lasiah Villalpando stuck her tongue out in a small herbal shop in Los Angeles, feeling slightly silly. The man who examined her leaned in close—studying, squinting, and even tracing the tiny cracks with his fingertip like a palm reader examining lifelines. Then he moved to her wrist, pressing gently to feel her pulse. He asked the 27-year-old about her sleep, her digestion, and her stress levels. A few minutes and $100 later, Villalpando walked out with a diagnosis.
“The Chinese medicine doctor told me that my hormones are imbalanced, which causes anxiety,” Villalpando told The Epoch Times. “When it was my dad’s turn, he mentioned that he had poor blood circulation, gastrointestinal blockage, early stages of high cholesterol, and rheumatism, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms.”
She and her dad were given a prescription—in this case, a customized blend of herbs to be steeped in tea bags. She was advised to drink the tea twice daily for 10 days.
Villalpando is one of many documenting their experiences on TikTok, sharing which herbal supply shops offer consultations and personalized recommendations to treat symptoms that Western medicine may not fully resolve. The tongue reading Chinese medicine trend has garnered millions of views on the app, with users posting testimonials about everything from hormone issues and gut health to anxiety, chronic pain, and skin problems—often saying that the approach feels more holistic or tailored to their bodies.
What Is Tongue Reading?
Although the trend has made tongue reading seem like a new wellness phenomenon, it is actually a common diagnostic practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), dating back more than 5,000 years. Historically, Chinese physicians believed that the tongue was directly connected to the internal organs and energy system, making it a visible map of what was happening inside the body.
Color, coating, and shape of the tongue can often paint a detailed picture of a person’s overall health, Felice Chan, a doctor of Chinese medicine, told The Epoch Times.
“Color tells us about temperature and circulation, coating reflects digestion and gut health, and shape gives us information about nourishment and fluid balance,” she said.
Different parts of the tongue were thought to correspond to different organ systems, which is why practitioners still divide the tongue into regions today.
In TCM, according to Chan, different parts of your tongue act as a map for your health:
- Tip: Heart and nerves—stress, anxiety, insomnia
- Center: Digestion—bloating, fatigue, gut issues
- Sides: Liver—hormones, tension, being overworked
- Back: Kidneys—longevity, fertility, hormones
TCM practitioners combine tongue reading with pulse reading, symptoms, and patient history to form a diagnosis—and then decide on remedies or herbs that fit that person’s specific imbalance.
What the Tongue Can Tell Us
In TCM, tongue color can reflect how well blood and energy are circulating in the body.
Pale Tongue
A pale tongue may reflect low energy or weak blood flow.
You may experience:
- Fatigue or low stamina
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale skin
- Low appetite
Red Tongue
Opposite to a pale tongue, a red tongue may indicate stress, excessive heat, and inflammation in the body.
You may experience:
- Feeling flushed or overheated
- Irritability, anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
Purple or Dark-Colored Tongue
A purple tongue can suggest poor blood circulation.
You may experience:
- Headaches or migraines
- Painful periods or menstrual irregularities
- Tingling or numbness
- Cold hands or feet
- Bruising
Texture and shape matter, too.
Thick or Greasy Coating
A thick or greasy coating on the tongue is commonly linked to sluggish digestion or excess dampness in the body. In TCM, these symptoms are often associated with poor digestive function or an imbalance in how the body processes fluids and nutrients.
You may experience:
- Feeling sluggish and tired
- Poor appetite or food sensitivities
- Nausea or bloating
Swollen or Scalloped Tongue
A swollen tongue or scalloped edges, resembling teeth marks, can signal weak digestion or fluid imbalance. It may also indicate that the body is retaining fluids or struggling to properly move energy and blood.
You may experience:
- Bloating or water retention
- Poor appetite or digestive issues
How Western Medicine Views the Tongue
Western medicine also pays attention to the tongue. Unlike TCM, which often treats it as a window into the body’s energetic balance, it typically uses tongue observations as an early indicator of certain health issues or diseases, such as dehydration, infection, vitamin deficiencies, or autoimmune conditions.
For example, a pale tongue can be a clue to anemia, while a bright red or swollen tongue might point to inflammation, allergic reactions, or thyroid problems. Certain coatings or cracks may indicate oral thrush, digestive problems, or chronic irritation. A smooth, glossy tongue can signal pernicious anemia or celiac disease.
Whether viewed through the lens of ancient wisdom or modern science, paying attention to these small signals can encourage deeper awareness, earlier intervention, and a more integrated approach to health—one that looks beyond symptoms to understand the whole person.
“I really believe in the holistic approach to health rather than taking medicine that numbs you,” Villalpando said. “I always struggled with pre-period symptoms that made me tired, fatigued, and mentally drained. After using the herbs, I felt mental clarity and more sustained energy.”
“It’s crazy,” she said. “It really worked for me.”