🌿 Folk Prescriptions

In TCM, diagnosis relies on the four diagnostic methods: observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation. Among them, observation is the primary step in diagnosis, encompassing aspects such as observing mental state, facial complexion, tongue coating, tongue body, lips, and nails. This initial impression from the patient provides crucial reference for the other three diagnostic methods.
From a TCM perspective, different facial colors and variations in tongue coating reflect different conditions. For example: yellowish complexion suggests disharmony of spleen and stomach with indigestion; facial edema and dark complexion indicate kidney disorders; pale complexion often appears in anemic patients; red or flushed face commonly indicates hypertension; a bluish complexion raises suspicion of liver disease. A swollen, puffy tongue with tooth marks along the edges indicates spleen and stomach deficiency; a red tip of the tongue with papillae suggests excessive heart fire; yellow, greasy tongue coating indicates heat in the stomach; black, dry tongue coating is often associated with kidney disease. Some patients habitually wear nail polish, but it must be removed before visiting a doctor because many patients with microcirculation disorders have pale or white nails, while those with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases may have purple nails—these signs need to be assessed through observation. Other factors include whether there is eyelid swelling or bags, lip color, presence of flush on cheeks, the patient’s mental state, and responsiveness—all of which require careful observation by the physician. Only after comprehensive assessment using all four diagnostic methods can an accurate diagnosis be made. Therefore, patients are strongly advised not to wear makeup, apply nail polish, or consume foods that stain the tongue (such as hawthorn, strawberries, olives), as these can interfere with proper diagnosis.