Tongue diagnosis stands as a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), offering invaluable insights into a patient’s health. It’s a powerful, non-invasive method used to evaluate current health status, predict potential health trajectories, and understand the body’s fundamental strengths and weaknesses. For practitioners and students seeking a comprehensive and visually rich resource, the Atlas Of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis provides an unparalleled guide to mastering this essential diagnostic technique.
This newly revised edition of the Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis features over two hundred meticulously captured color photographs of tongues, observed directly within a Western clinic setting. These vivid images serve as a practical visual library, illustrating a wide spectrum of common health imbalances. Each photograph is accompanied by a detailed analysis, breaking down the significant tongue features, their corresponding Chinese medicine diagnosis, associated symptoms, relevant Western medical perspectives, and crucial contextual background information. The atlas systematically organizes these visuals to demonstrate the progressive stages of energetic disharmony within the body, making complex concepts readily accessible.
The book’s structure is thoughtfully arranged around the core organ systems in TCM and their related disharmonies:
- Lungs: Understand tongue signs reflecting respiratory health and Wei Qi.
- Spleen: Explore tongue manifestations of digestive function and Qi and Blood production.
- Stomach: Identify tongue indicators of digestive processes and Stomach Qi.
- Kidney: Recognize tongue signs associated with Jing, Yin, and Yang imbalances, and overall vitality.
- Heart: Learn to discern tongue patterns related to emotional well-being and circulation.
- Liver: Interpret tongue features reflecting Qi stagnation, emotional balance, and detoxification.
Beyond organ-specific diagnoses, the Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis delves into specific tongue characteristics that are crucial for accurate assessment:
- Pale Tongues: Uncover the various causes and interpretations of pale tongue presentation.
- Cracked Tongues: Analyze the different types of tongue cracks and their clinical significance.
- Special Coatings: Distinguish and interpret various tongue coating appearances, from thin and white to thick and greasy.
- Heat Disorders: Identify tongue signs indicative of excess heat patterns in the body.
- Blood Stasis: Recognize tongue features associated with blood stagnation and circulatory issues.
A particularly insightful chapter showcases longitudinal case studies, demonstrating the dynamic nature of tongue diagnosis. “Before and after” photographs vividly illustrate how tongue signs evolve in response to treatment, providing a tangible understanding of the healing process and the effectiveness of TCM interventions. This dynamic perspective reinforces the practical application of the Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis in a clinical setting.
This second edition represents a significant enhancement, merging and restructuring the content of the original two-volume set into a single, user-friendly resource. While retaining the most valuable photographic examples from the first edition and selected illuminating case histories from the second, this edition has been streamlined for improved readability and accessibility. New photographs, chosen for their exceptional clarity in demonstrating specific tongue colors and signs, have been incorporated to enrich the visual learning experience. Conversely, less essential images and case studies have been carefully removed to create a more focused and efficient reference tool.
To ensure ease of use and comprehensive access to the wealth of information contained within, the Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis includes an extensive and meticulously detailed index. This index allows readers to quickly navigate and cross-reference the hundreds of tongue examples, facilitating a deeper understanding of their intricate relationships and diagnostic nuances.
This Atlas of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis is more than just a book; it is an essential tool for anyone serious about mastering tongue diagnosis in Chinese Medicine.
Contents Overview:
- Chapter 1: Foundations of Tongue Diagnosis
- Chapter 2: Pale Tongue Signs
- Chapter 3: Tongue Signs & Kidney Disharmonies
- Chapter 4: Tongue Signs & Stomach Disharmonies
- Chapter 5: Tongue Signs & Lung Disharmonies
- Chapter 6: Tongue Signs & Heart Disharmonies
- Chapter 7: Tongue Signs & Liver Disharmonies
- Chapter 8: Tongue Signs & Blood Stasis
- Chapter 9: Tongue Signs & Heat Disorders
- Chapter 10: Tongue Coatings
- Chapter 11: Special Tongue Signs
Expert Reviews:
“An excellent clinical manual for this important aspect of diagnosis, enriched by many case histories and photos.” —Giovanni Maciocia, author, Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine
“A good example of the new generation of textbooks which are based on experience treating Western patients. Reading this book has rekindled my interest in looking closely at tongues.” —Julian Scott, author, Acupuncture in the Treatment of Children
“The quality of the photographs and color reproduction here are quite exceptional … the best I have seen in any book on tongue diagnosis. To see tongues of real patients described and analyzed by an expert in the field is invaluable.” —The Journal of Chinese Medicine
