Discolouration & coating of tongue
Dr S. Chidambaranathan B.H.M.S, M.D Homeopathy Doctor Madurai (Treatment avail for all people around the world)
The discolouration of tongue can occur in various diseases especially with anaemia, glossitis, lichen planus, syphilis, leukemia, etc. One needs to be cautious if the tongue is pale, blue and white since pale indicates lack of blood, blue indicates lack of oxygen and white indicates dead cells and sloughing (indication of oral thrush or cancer or AIDS).
- Pale – in case of anaemia, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiencies, poor blood circulation or any chronic illness
- Reddish – in case of infection, inflammation and ulcerations (glossitis). It also occurs in malnutrition, pellagra (Vit B3 deficiency – niacin), betel chewing
- Yellow – in case of jaundice, smoking
- Blue – cyanosis (lungs and heart ailments)
- Purple – cyanosis (lungs and heart ailments)
- Brown – in case of end stage of life with diseases
- White – in case of coating, dehydration, fungal infection, leukoplakia, lichen planus, syphilis
- Strawberry tongue – in case of scarlet fever, Kawasaki disease
- Black – in case of lichen planus, fungal infection
- Mapped tongue – it is also called as Geographic tongue / glossitis areata exfoliate / erythema migrans / pityriais linguae. In this condition, tongue seems to be coated in patch due to scalding / peeling (due to ulcers) of some areas. It may be smooth in some parts, rough in some parts, reddish in some parts, white in some parts and yellow in some parts. The infected parts will be red in its edges. The patchy, infected / coated areas get joined in some areas to look like a geographic map and so is named thus.
The coating of tongue commonly occurs in many disease conditions with poor appetite. For example, in case of flu or cold, it gets coated white. Sometimes, it may look dirty with grey coating. Traditionally, persistent coating of tongue is thought to indicate liver, spleen and stomach disorders. Anyhow, it can also be present without any reason or disease.
- Can these coatings or discolouration be just brushed away?
- Can it get cleared completely?
- Poor oral hygiene
- Unhygienic foods and nutritional deficiencies
- Reduced blood volume / supply
- Infections and inflammations (bacterial or fungal or viral)
- Chemical reactions from added preservatives and colouring pigments
- Strong chemical toothpaste / mouthwash.
- Very hot drinks / foods (which can cause scalding)
- Foods containing excess spices, salt and chillies, likewise sour foods / fruits / juices too
- Habit of smoking, tobacco chewing and drinking large quantities of alcohol
- Drugs – especially while using heavy antibiotics and pain-killers repeatedly
- Treatments given for weakened immune system (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, strong chemical drugs, etc. especially in the case of AIDS, cancer and auto immune disorders)
- Scraping and culture – to identify fungal (Candida) or bacterial infection
- Biopsy – to diagnose cancer
Prevention – To avoid tongue discolouration and coating of tongue, maintain good oral hygiene (by proper brushing and scraping) and take good nutritious diet .
- Nutritious diet (especially fruits, vegetables and greens)
- Plenty of water before and after meal
- Take right medicines in right dosage from right doctor in case of any disease
- Tongue scraper gently whenever there arises a need
- Mild toothpaste and mouth rinse / wash
- Smoking, drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco /betel leaves
- Strong toothpaste or mouthwashes
- Drinking aerated drinks, coffee and tea often
- Tin-packed or preservative added foods / snacks / toffees
- Unnecessary medication, especially pain-killers and antibiotics for prolonged period
- Foods containing excessive amount of spices, chillies, pepper and pickles
Tongue discolouration and coating can be treated well in Homeopathy system of medicine. Tongue discolouration and coating should be given importance just like an iceberg – the tip of an inner disease. So, treatment should be started as early as possible to tackle it completely and to have speedy cure. Later, the discolouration may become permanent.
- Red patches in the tongue – Nat sulp
- Strawberry tongue – Belladonna, Fragaria Vesca, etc.
- Tongue smooth and glossy / shiny – Causticum, Terebinth, Kali Bich, etc.
- Tongue smooth, red and cracked – kali bich
- Red on margin – Plumbum met
- Red in tip – Rhus tox
- Red and glossy – Acid nit, Cantharis, Nat mur,
- Red streaks in centre – Antim crud, Verat alb,
- Red streak in middle of yellow coated tongue – veratrum veride, etc.
- Yellow tongue – Chelidonium, Kali sulf, Merc proto iodide, Nat phos, Bryonia, etc.
- Dry and brown – Ailanthus, Anti tart, Ars alb, Bry, Baptisia, Lachesis, Rhus tox, etc.
- Pale tongue – Carbo veg, Cina, Ferrum met, Ipecac, Veratrum alb, Zinc met, etc.
- Brown in centre – Baptisia, Phosphorus, Secale cor, Vipera, etc.
- Blue tongue – China, Ipecac, Lachesis
- Purple tongue – Digitalis, Echinacea, Lachesis, Merc cor, etc.
- Black tongue – crocus sativus, Muriatic acid, opium, secale cor
- Clean anterior and coated posterior – Nux vom
- Furred tongue – Antim crud, Arg nit, Bry, Carbo veg,
- White coating in the tongue – Antim crud, Causticum, China, Mercury, Nat mur, Puls, Thuja, etc.
- Yellow coating in base of the tongue – Iodium, Merc prot, Nat phos, Taraxacum, etc.
- Oil paint like glistening coating in the tongue – Ars alb
- Mapped tongue – Ars alb, Lachesis, Nat mur, Nitric acid, Taraxacum, etc.
- Sensation of hair in tongue – Natmur, silicea, etc.
- Moist tongue with excessive thirst – Mercurius, etc.
- Dry tongue with excessive thirst – Bryonia
- Dry tongue without thirst – Pulsatilla, Nux mos, etc.