In Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis, we analyze how your tongue looks. We look at the colour, moisture, shape, veins, and ‘geographic’ areas of the tongue to help us assess what areas of your body need the most help. Here’s how to take pictures of your tongue to help us. This is especially good for telemedicine (phone/online consults) or for capturing your tongue before your brush your teeth in the morning.

1. If possible, take the pictures first thing in the morning before brushing your teeth or eating/drinking. If you keep forgetting, just do it anytime (better than nothing).
2. Take them in natural sunlight i.e. by the window or outdoors. For future pictures, try if possible to be consistent with the light.  This is useful for comparison.
3. Take two pictures:
   1. One of the bottom of the tongue, so place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth and open your jaw as much as possible.
   2. One of the top of your tongue, with your mouth wide open and tongue sticking out (so that I can see all the way to the back of the tongue. Don’t stick the tongue out for too long before you take the picture, or it will dry out the coating. 
4. Optional: If you have time, you can also send a picture of your inner bottom eyelid (see picture below). This also gives us valuable information. 
5. Send the pictures to tongue@hillgreen.ca
6. Thanks!

Examples:

Hillgreen Oncology Acupuncture & Herbs offers the following natural therapies for patients with cancer or other ailments in Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Etobicoke, King City, Brampton, Aurora, North York, and the rest of Greater Toronto Area: Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis, herbal medicine, nutrition, acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, guasha, moxibustion/ heat therapy, and more.