May 22nd 2024.
Have you ever thought about what your flavor may be? You may have heard that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but did you know that the mouth can also give us insight into a person's overall wellbeing? It may sound like some new age concept, but tongue reading has actually been a key practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries.
Jiaming Ju, a 38-year-old practitioner, was introduced to this practice by her father, who ran a successful clinic in China. Although she initially studied longevity economics at prestigious universities, she eventually retrained in TCM and now practices in Los Angeles. Jiaming explains that her background in data analysis and economics has helped her in her practice, as TCM also involves asking questions and gathering data.
Unlike Western medicine, TCM places a great emphasis on a person's subjective understanding of their health. This includes traditional diagnostic methods such as tongue and pulse readings, as well as discussions about physical wellbeing and emotions. The focus is on prevention rather than just treating symptoms.
Jiaming believes that our current medical system is flawed, where patients are often sent home if no obvious health issues are found. This is why she started her own company, KUN, and reads celebrities' tongues on Instagram. She wants to bridge the gap between ancient healing practices and our modern world, where individualized and holistic medicine is the norm.
During an interview with the Mirror, Jiaming explained how the tongue serves as a mirror of our overall health. Its color, texture, moisture, and coating can reveal a wealth of information about our internal organs and bodily functions. It is considered a key diagnostic tool in TCM.
As someone who had only read about TCM and tongue reading before, I was initially skeptical. How does tongue reading actually work? Jiaming explains that in Chinese medicine, tongue diagnosis is one of the primary methods used. It can provide insight into a person's digestive and mental wellbeing, and even track their progress during treatment.
There are several things that a practitioner will look for when examining the tongue, such as color, marks, coating, size, and moisture. These factors, along with other diagnostic methods, can determine which of the nine major body constitutions a person falls into. These constitutions are based on the flow of Qi, Yin, and Yang, as well as bodily fluids like blood and phlegm. The goal is to bring these elements back into balance for better health outcomes.
The nine body constitutions in TCM are: Neutral, Qi-deficient, Yang-deficient, Yin-deficient, Damp phlegm, Damp heat, Blood-stasis, Blood-deficient, and Qi-stagnation. Each constitution is affected by various factors such as genetics, age, gender, and living environment. Most people are a mix of more than one constitution, but they usually have a dominant one. Treatment and lifestyle recommendations will vary based on a person's constitution.
For example, someone with a Qi-deficient constitution may experience shortness of breath, lack of energy, and a pale tongue or complexion. On the other hand, a person with a Yin-deficient constitution may have a dry mouth and nose, constipation, and mood swings, with a red tongue and no coating. By understanding a person's constitution, a TCM practitioner can provide tailored treatments to bring their body back into balance.
In summary, tongue reading may seem like a strange concept to some, but it has been a fundamental practice in TCM for thousands of years. It provides insight into a person's overall health and can guide personalized treatments for better wellbeing. So, what's your flavor? Perhaps a consultation with a TCM practitioner can help you find out.
"What's your flavor?" It's a question we often ask when choosing ice cream or a new drink, but what if I told you that your flavor could reveal more about your health than you ever thought possible? That's right, the tongue, often referred to as the "window to the soul", holds valuable insights into a person's overall well-being according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This ancient practice, dating back 3,000 years, has been used as a key diagnostic method by Jiaming Ju, a 38-year-old practitioner from China who now practices in Los Angeles.
Jiaming's interest in TCM began at a young age, as she watched her father successfully run a clinic in China. However, she initially pursued a different path, studying longevity economics at prestigious universities before retraining in TCM in her 30s. Jiaming explains, "I focused on analyzing data from people over the age of 50 and gained insight into how diseases progress and how we transition from good health to poor health, and eventually return to Mother Earth. Chinese medicine is not so different from economics; it's all about asking questions and gathering data."
Unlike Western medicine, TCM places great importance on a person's subjective understanding of their health. Along with traditional diagnostic methods like tongue and pulse analysis, patients are also asked about their physical well-being and how they are feeling. Prevention is also a key focus in TCM, rather than simply treating problems as they arise.
Jiaming's company, KUN, aims to bridge the gap between the complex and ancient practice of TCM and the modern world. She even reads celebrities' tongues on Instagram to communicate the personalized and individualized approach of TCM, which she believes everyone deserves. In an interview, she explains, "The tongue serves as a mirror, reflecting not just our oral health, but also offering insights into our overall well-being. Its color, texture, moisture level, and even the presence of coating can unveil a plethora of information about the body's internal workings, serving as a diagnostic tool for various health conditions."
As someone who was initially skeptical about TCM and tongue reading, I was curious to learn more. How does it really work? Jiaming explains, "In Chinese medicine, tongue diagnosis is one of the four key diagnostic methods. It tells a lot about your inner organ health, especially your digestive and mental well-being. Your recovery can also be seen in the changes of your tongue."
During a tongue reading, a practitioner will look for various things, such as color, markings, coating, size, and moisture level. Along with other diagnostic methods, the tongue can also reveal which of the nine major body constitutions a person falls into. This includes factors such as genetics, age, gender, mental state, and living environment. While most people are a combination of more than one constitution, there is usually a dominant composition. These constitutions relate to Qi, Yin, and Yang, as well as bodily fluids like phlegm and blood flow between organs, with the ultimate goal of restoring balance for better health outcomes.
The nine body constitutions in TCM are Neutral, Qi-deficient, Yang-deficient, Yin-deficient, Damp phlegm, Damp heat, Blood stasis, Blood deficiency, and Blood heat. Each constitution has its characteristics and treatments, which are determined based on the individual's dominant constitution. For example, a person with a neutral constitution is considered rare and typically has a good complexion, normal bowel movements, and positive energy. In contrast, someone with a Yin-deficient constitution may experience dry mouth and nose, constipation, and mood swings.
TCM and tongue reading may seem like new age woo-woo to some, but for Jiaming and many others, it is a valuable and effective approach to maintaining overall health and well-being. So, what's your flavor? Maybe it's time to find out and discover what your tongue can reveal about your inner health.
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