When you stick your tongue out, you could be telling someone the story of your health. The technique of diagnosing illness through the tongue is central to Chinese medicine, which has evolved over thousands of years.

RICHARD Blackwell, below, principal of the Northern College of Acupuncture, in York, has practised Chinese medicine for 23 years

He said: "Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach to a person's wellbeing from a physical, mental and spiritual point of view.

"There are three elements in making a diagnosis: what the patient tells you, the pulse and the tongue, which reflects the condition of the internal organs and the body's fundamental energies.

"The condition of the tongue can tell a Chinese medical practitioner a great deal." Here, Richard runs through some of the most common tongue conditions recognised by Chinese medicine, what can be learned from them and how they can be treated.

Red tip

A sign of heat agitating the mind and spirit, usually caused by emotional factors. This can be very noticeable, with symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia, or it may be more subtle with the person suffering a subtle restlessness and difficulty finding inner peace.

Treatment: Responds well to acupuncture and, for self-help, is also aided by meditation, tai chi and yoga.

Red edges

Associated with heat from the liver. You may have symptoms such as irritability, headache and high blood pressure. The 'heat' is caused by frustration or anger that cannot be expressed. This causes the body's energies to stagnate which creates internal heat.

Treatment: Responds well to acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine. Self help - communicate your feelings, or physical exercise can help keep stagnant energy flowing.

Tooth marks at sides and/or pale tongue body

A sign of low energy levels, particularly affecting the digestion and the body's ability to process fluids. Toothmarks or a pale tongue are a sign of poor digestion as also indicated by bloating, loose bowels and fluid retention. They can also be one of many symptoms of extreme tiredness. The condition is usually caused by a lack of balance between activity and rest or dietary factors such as rushed meals or too much raw food.

Treatment: Acupuncture or Chinese herbs are excellent for increasing energy levels. Self help - get more rest, eat regularly and be relaxed when eating. Eat more easily-digestible foods such as porridge, soups and stews.

Swollen tongue and/or thick white coating

Signs of a build up of "dampness" in the body, so that the tissues are clogged with an excess of unhealthy fluids. The person will often feel lethargic, heavy, and muzzy-headed, so everything is an effort, and there may be some fluid retention. This can progress to the formation of phlegm, sinusitis or a chronic cough. Causes are often a combination of low energy levels, which prevent the body from processing foods correctly, together with dietary factors such as too much fatty food, dairy produce and wheat.

Treatment: Acupuncture or Chinese herbs are effective although this condition can take a little longer to resolve. Self help - cut down on fatty and diary foods, reduce wheat and eat plenty of light, easily-digested foods such as grains and lightly-cooked vegetables.

Cracks on the tongue

A wide central crack which does not reach the tip is a sign that the body's yin energies are becoming depleted. The yin energies are cooling, moistening and calming so the person may have symptoms of getting hot easily, a dry mouth, dry skin and restlessness. There may also be some digestive weakness.

Treatment: Acupuncture combined with herbs. Self help - find time each day to be calm and centred and make sure you are really well nourished. Soups and stews are very useful.

Small cracks are a sign that the yin energies are seriously depleted. There may also be hot flushes, insomnia, ringing in the ears.

Treatment: similar to above.

Thin central crack extending to the tip or just at the tip. A sign that the mind and spirit are not being properly supported and nourished. This can be a result of emotional difficulties or being prone to anxiety.

Treatment: Acupuncture. Self help - meditation, tai chi or yoga. Sometimes counselling can help.

Thick yellow coating

A sign of an accumulation of toxicity in the body, often associated with infection and inflammation. Examples include eczema, bronchitis, cysts, cystitis or an inflamed gall bladder.

Treatment: A combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Self help - cut out fatty foods, alcohol, spices and red meat. Eat more grains and vegetables.

Purple veins beneath the tongue

A sign that the nourishing energies of the body have become stagnated. Can also be associated with poor circulation, deep inner tension, formation of lumps and cysts and a possible indicator of developing diseases such as heart disease.

Treatment: A combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Self help - this condition must be treated by a practitioner.

Tongue with a strong purple tinge and thick yellow coating

A build-up of toxicity combined with stagnation of the body's energies. This is a serious combination which may be associated with high blood pressure and could be an indication of developing disease such as heart disease or stroke.

Treatment: Must be seen by a practitioner. Meanwhile cut out alcohol and fatty foods and take time to relax deeply each day.

Updated: 12:10 Friday, March 11, 2005