Thick greasy tongue coating

a combined type of tongue coating

has been an important sort of coating in the contemporary population. By clarifying its evolution in the history

this paper figured out its connotation

which is the thick ones of the greasy coating

and pointed out 5 reasons for its arising such as weakening of self-cleaning effect of tongue

increased bacteria on the tongue

smoking and drinking

fever and infection and tumor. Theoretically

this tongue coating is one of the manifestations of phlegm

fluid

pathological water

dampness

and food accumulation. Identifying thick greasy coating in clinic is helpful for differentiation of pathogenic factors and of disease features

inference of evolution of pathogenesis of disease

and determination of the result of the fight between vital qi and pathogenic qi

survival or downfall of stomach qi. Besides

thick greasy coating could be not only normally treated by dissolving phlegm and eliminating dampness

promoting digestion and resolving stagnation

clearing heat and resolving toxins

but also artfully treated by supplementing yang and enriching yin. Moreover

there are specific prescriptions targeting dropping thick greasy tongue coating

like Dachaihu Decoction（大柴胡汤） and Ganlu Xiaodu Pills（甘露消毒丹） .