Water distribution is closely related to health. The distribution of water in the body is reflected on the tongue. A moist tongue indicates smooth fluid circulation. If the tongue is very damp, it indicates fluid blockage in the three Jiao, which can affect the meridian circulation. A tongue that is too dry is not good either, since proper moisture in the tongue is very important for health. A contagious disease is also closely related to fluid distribution, which is reflected on the tongue by the moisture. Western physicians believe that the essential cause of illness is from different kinds of viruses, whereas TCM physicians believe that the viruses (or germs) grow under damp conditions with heat. According to TCM, all the contagious diseases are due to too dry or damp conditions in the spatial body. For example, if illness appears above the diaphragm, the contagious disease in the head accompanied by a high fever is probably due to a dry condition in the spatial body; however, if it is below the diaphragm, such as in the intestine area, the high fever is probably due to dampness. In other words, to effectively treat a contagious disease, more attention should be paid to acquiring a smooth and light energy flow in the Back Jiao, and a proper amount of moisture.
Watery tongue
This indicates stagnation of water around the space outside the cell.
Dry tongue
This indicates lack of water outside the cell. It usually appears with dry stools.
