THE POWER OF 5 MINUTES OF SILENCE

FEEL THE POWER OF SILENCE

Most of us wake up and immediately reach for a smartphone or rush to the shower. We enter into a hectic ritual within seconds of waking up and never stop.

Yet, as we learn more about how the brain works, it might be a terrible idea to keep doing this. Science now knows we receive a rush of gamma waves to the right side of the brain when we pause in the morning and avoid jumping right into stress. You can learn more about how to manage your time in a hectic world and what happens to our brains when we rest.

Thomas Merton said, “Solitude is not something you must hope for in the future. Rather, it is a deepening of the present, and unless you look for it in the present you will never find it.”

Spending time in solitude is actually a very healthy thing to do—it gives us an opportunity to balance the busyness.

“We live in a 24/7 culture that expects everyone to be on all the time, but quiet time is immensely restorative,” “You’ll be more present when you are with others, become more productive, and even show more power and control in work settings.” As the world gets louder, shutting off is easier said (or screamed) than done.

Silent prayer is, quite simply, the practice of sitting in silence, quieting one’s own thoughts, and making oneself present to God. It is like having the goal of mindfulness or activation, its purpose is to create space in the mind and in the heart for God — to allow Him to speak to us in the silence.

Silence triggers mindfulness, which means you visualise your feelings and emotions with a better perspective, and it also involves self-compassion, which means handling various situations with sympathy, kindness and understanding.

The 5-minute silence promise

It’s alluring, isn’t it? The idea that you could spend only five minutes every day doing relatively nothing in order to change your whole life. Silence helps you avoid entangling yourself in the affairs of others; that is why it is encouraged as a preliminary.

I’m sure you’ve heard the list, but just in case, silence can:

• Decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression
• Enhance self-esteem and self-acceptance
• Increase feelings of compassion and connection with others
• Help you overcome craving and addiction
• Increase grey matter concentration in the brain’s structures of learning and memory
• Reduce blood pressure
• Better manage pain

These are wonderful, but I think the biggest benefit of silence is that it reintroduces you to your essential Self — the luminous Being that is always within. When we live from this open-hearted place, we show up in the world with presence in any situation, whether terrifying or thrilling.

By taking the time to seek what’s within, we begin to embody attention, compassion and creativity not only in our personal life, but in our work. We’re better equipped to make good on the universal moral of doing no harm.

Through our own awakening, we uplift others. “These are all doors into the same room. Find the [meditations] that are right for you and practice as if your life depended on it. Because it does, of course.”

Replace negative thoughts with good thoughts

During your five minutes of silence, there might be a temptation to think about some conflicts coming up or challenges at work. In the first five minutes of the day, don't just bounce the idea away. Replace them with a more positive thought. This is not some weird meditation practice. It's pure science. Your brain can't think two things at once, so replacing any negative thoughts with good one’s trains you for the day. 

Do these simple steps work? You be the judge. Try them yourself in your five minutes of silence and let me know if you find your day flows a bit easier.

All Joy Is Within

All the joy you crave for is in you. But, like a man who has vast riches in the iron chest but who has no idea where the key is, you suffer. Hear properly the instructions, dwell upon them in the silence of meditation, practise what has been made clear therein; then, you can secure the key, open the chest, and be rich in joy.

Begin YourDay with Silence

Instead of succumbing to the urge of picking up your phone, switching on the television for the latest news or reading the newspaper with your morning cup of tea or coffee, you should simply sit relaxed and silent. Soak in the morning peace and tranquillity and see how it transforms you, making you feel energetic for the rest of the day.

You need not escape into a forest to gain silence and the chance of uninterrupted spiritual practice. You can make the place where you are a citadel of silence; shut off the senses, let them not run after objects. Your home becomes a hermitage; your spiritual practices will then move on, without any obstacle.

You must make it a practice to observe silence for at least 5 minutes daily. It saves your cosmic energy and ensures peace of mind. You should develop also the discipline of simple living and high thinking.

The Mind Must Desist from Wandering

Pulse Oximetry : Peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2)

A pulse oximeter is a small device that can measure the oxygen saturation in your blood. Pulse oximetry is a measure of how much oxygen is in the blood.

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method of measuring the oxygenation level in the blood.

Pulse oximetry is useful for people with chronic lung or heart conditions, who need to monitor how well oxygen is being sent from the heart and lungs out to the furthest parts of the body. 

To use a pulse oximeter, you'll clip the device on your toe, finger, or earlobe — here's to use it properly so you can get an accurate reading. 

Pulse oximeters can be used to gauge warning signs for chronic lung or heart conditions, and may help determine whether you should seek medical attention.

What does a pulse oximeter measure? 

A pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation of your blood. Essentially, this percentage is a calculation of how much oxygen is in the blood, with 100% being 'fully saturated' and the optimal level. 

And while this simple non-invasive medical tool is available over the counter in many pharmacies, it's not necessary for most people. 

"Unless you have a chronic heart or lung condition that affects your oxygen saturation on a regular basis, most individuals don't need one in their home.

Those with lung or heart conditions — such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure — may be prescribed home oxygen therapy by their doctor, and a pulse oximeter can help them to monitor whether the use of oxygen at home is improving their condition or not.

In fact, oxygen saturation by itself is often not the best indicator of medical conditions, and other symptoms are just as important to tell your doctor. 

Other warning signs of low blood oxygen levels may include:  

• Increased heart rate
• increased breathing rate
• Feeling shortness of breath or gasping for air
• Inability to do an activity that you did before without getting out of breath

How does a pulse oximeter work? 

Every system and organ in the body needs oxygen to survive. Without oxygen, cells begin to malfunction and eventually die. Cell death can cause severe symptoms and ultimately lead to organ failure.

The body transports oxygen to the organs by filtering it through the lungs. The lungs then distribute oxygen into the blood via haemoglobin proteins in red blood cells. These proteins provide oxygen to the rest of the body.

Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of oxygen in haemoglobin proteins, called oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation usually indicates how much oxygen is getting to the organs.

Normal oxygen saturation levels are between 95 and 100 percent. Oxygen saturation levels below 90 percent are considered abnormally low and can be a clinical emergency.

Oxygen saturation can drop for many reasons, including:

• suffocation
• choking
• infections, such as pneumonia
• drowning
• diseases, such as emphysema, lung cancer, and lung infections
• inhaling poisonous chemicals
• heart failure or a history of heart attacks
• allergic reactions
• general anaesthesia
• sleep apnoea

Pulse oximeters work by shining a light through a relatively transparent area of the skin. The light shines through to a detector positioned on the other side of the skin.

For example, when a pulse oximeter is clipped onto a finger, one side of the clip shines the light, and the other detects it.

The amount of light absorbed by the blood indicates the oxygen saturation. A pulse oximeter does not directly measure oxygen saturation but instead uses a complex equation and other data to estimate the exact level.

Benefits

Pulse oximeters are useful for people who have conditions that affect oxygen saturation. For example, a sleep specialist might recommend a pulse oximeter to monitor the night-time oxygen saturation level of someone with suspected sleep apnoea or severe snoring.

Pulse oximetry can also provide feedback about the effectiveness of breathing interventions, such as oxygen therapy and ventilators.

Some doctors use pulse oximetry to assess the safety of physical activity in people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems, or may recommend that a person wears a pulse oximeter while exercising. A doctor may also use pulse oximetry as part of a stress test.

Some hospitals also use pulse oximeters for particularly vulnerable patients. For instance, infants in neonatal intensive care units may wear pulse oximeters, which can alert staff of a drop in oxygen saturation.

A drop in oxygen saturation in infants in neonatal intensive care units may be detected using pulse oximetry.

Some benefits of pulse oximetry include:

• monitoring oxygen saturation over time
• alerting to dangerously low oxygen levels, particularly in new-borns
• offering peace of mind to people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions
• assessing the need for supplemental oxygen
• monitoring oxygen saturation levels in people under anaesthesia
• indicating dangerous side effects in people taking drugs that affect breathing or oxygen saturation

Pulse oximeters are now widely available to buy online, so some people without specific risk factors may use them.Bottom of Form

What to expect

Pulse oximetry devices are non-invasive and carry no serious risks. Some people experience minor irritation, including skin redness and sensitivity.

If fitted very tightly and used for a prolonged period, pulse oximeters can cut off oxygen from surrounding vessels. Anyone who experiences numbness, tingling, or changes in skin color should promptly notify a doctor.

The main risk of pulse oximetry is a false reading. The accuracy of pulse oximeters depends on a correct fit, and minor changes in their positioning can produce an inaccurate reading. A person who rolls over in their sleep may loosen the device, causing it to give a false alert.

Oxygen saturation may also dip for brief periods due to other factors, such as a change in sleeping position or momentary breath-holding. A pulse oximeter gives an alert even when the drop is temporary and harmless.

For people with health anxiety, or whose doctors have not helped them understand the role of a pulse oximeter, this can cause unnecessary worry.

Conversely, pulse oximeters can give some people a false sense of security. They do not provide alerts for all possible oxygen issues, and cannot serve as a substitute for other forms of monitoring.

People using pulse oximeters should discuss the risks with a doctor and should maintain a record of the readings over time. Changes in readings, particularly in response to environmental changes, sometimes signal a health problem.

People interested in using consumer-grade pulse oximeters should discuss their plans with a doctor before investing in a device.

Limitations

Some factors can reduce the accuracy of a pulse oximeter reading, including:

• changes in the pulse
• carbon monoxide poisoning, which may not produce an alert in a pulse oximeter
• bilirubin levels
• lipids in blood plasma
• interference from external light or color, including nail polish
• having cold hands or poor circulation

People who use pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen saturation should not rely on the oximeter as a substitute for subjective experience.

People experiencing difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other signs of possible oxygen deprivation should seek medical attention.

To get the most accurate reading on a pulse oximeter, there are a few simple steps, according to the World Health Organization:  

Position the probe correctly. Depending on the device, this will usually be on the finger, toe, or earlobe. Make sure it is well-fitted, and not being forced on: for example, try the second toe rather than the big toe. If the probe is too loose or too tight, it may allow extra light in, which will impact the reading.

Make sure you're sitting still. Shaking or shivering will affect the reading, and may make it seem much lower than it actually is. 

Remove any nail polish. If you're wearing coloured nail polish, this might affect the reading. Finger tattoos or henna dye can also affect the reading: in this case, choose a different finger, toe, or earlobe. Cold fingers or toes can also cause false readings. 

Jin Shin Jyutsu <>the wellness monarchy in hands

Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) is a 3,000-year-old ancient healing art. ... Jin Shin Jyutsu (JSJ) is a gentle form of acupressure therapy that uses light finger pressure over specific points on the body while fully clothed. JSJ restores the flow of energy, which may be blocked due to illness or pain.

You might be surprised to learn that the majority of today’s most common ailments including anxiety, backaches, colds and flu, digestive issues, immune disorders, migraines, and insomnia, can be alleviated naturally by restoring and harmonizing blocked, stagnant energy. The art of Jin Shin, based on the Japanese healing art of energy medicine, is practiced throughout the world.  It is powerful, it is versatile, it comes with no side effects or contraindications, it can be practiced together with any other modality including conventional medicine, and above else – it requires only our two hands and nothing else.

Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioners work to unblock the circuit and restore consistent flow along the pathways. “You go through a sequence that aligns the energy meridians, using the hands as jumper cables, “You then hold them there until the pulses are synchronized.”

Jin Shin Jyutsu isn't just effective at restoring energy. The therapy can also help with pain, emotional distress and other cancer complications

JIN SHIN JYUTSU: HEALING BODY AND MIND WITH THE HANDS

Babies suck their thumbs seeking comfort. Politicians speak with their hands close to their bodies to calm themselves down. And walkers make fists to carry themselves forward more safely. All of them, though they’re unaware, are using a form of Jin Shin Jyutsu, an ancient physio-philosophy of general health based in finger exercises. Now, if we become aware of all of these manual impulses, the possibilities could be enormous. And the best thing is, it’s also among the simplest of methods for stabilizing the body’s energy. Instinctually, people place their hands on their body to soothe themselves. For example, if we accidentally bump into an object, we automatically want to hold that injured area.

The principles of Jin Shin Jyutsu are nearly as old as human beings. Master Jiro Murai rediscovered those principles about 100 years ago in Japan and devoted himself to studying and teaching them. He learned to correct and adjust the body’s energy whenever it’s been compromised (out of balance), and all of this simply by paying attention to the hands. Spending just a few minutes every day can quickly put the body’s energy into balance. Emotions like fear, anger, sadness or excessive pretence (arrogance, pride) are quickly stabilized with Jin Shin Jyutsu.

The philosophy teaches no fixed rules as to the time that should dedicated to each of the exercises, but about 5 minutes each will suffice. When the body is in a more balanced state, the practitioner will naturally know how long to spend on each finger.

Following are the basic Jin Shin Jyutsu exercises with corresponding explanations. One should begin with the hand with which one is most comfortable.

It’s as Simple as 1-2-3!

You’ll probably be surprised to learn that our ten fingers are the keys to 144,000 energy functions, and by holding each finger or thumb for just a few minutes a day you help clean and regenerate over 14,000 functions of the body at a time!

For worry: hold the thumb

This exercise also helps with insomnia, digestion, headache, stress and nervousness, for calming, for skin health and for when you need to sit for a long time (sitting can cause swelling).

For fear: hold the index finger

This exercise also helps teeth and gums, back pain, digestion and constipation, self-criticism, shyness, muscular tension, kidney and bladder energy and in situations where one needs to stand for long periods.

For anger: hold the middle finger

This exercise also helps blood pressure, fatigue, vision, irritability, to balance the emotions, or the energy of the liver and when one must read a lot.

For sadness: hold the ring finger

This exercise also helps with hearing, respiratory functions, phlegm, skin conditions, the energy of the lungs and large intestine and when one must be lying for long (as during convalescence).

For added strength: hold the little finger

Holding the little finger also helps with heart palpitations, swelling, trying too hard (at anything), insecurity, nervousness, with the energy of the heart and small intestine and when one must walk a lot.

For fatigue: press the centre of the palm

What conditions are commonly treated by Jin Shin Jyutsu?

Patients seek JSJ treatments for a variety of conditions including shoulder and neck pain, back pain, sciatica, migraines, hypertension, stress, anxiety, grief, depression, insomnia, nausea, allergies, fatigue, ulcers, PMS, cancer, acne, TMJ, arthritis, asthma, infertility, constipation, fibromyalgia, and drug side effects. JSJ can also benefit the respiratory system, circulation, digestion, hormonal balance, menopause, pregnancy, immune system, concentration, and memory.

JSJ is empowering to use, and highly regenerative because it speeds up the body’s innate ability to heal and regenerate itself.  

It boosts the immune system, relieves stress and pain, and works to restore and maintain energy levels.

It also helps balance and harmonize our thoughts and emotions, and strengthen our connection with Source energy and “higher” consciousness.

YOGA FOR HAPPINESS : DELETE STRESS, ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

Be happier with yoga

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama

If you want to be Happy, you need to take action!

Devoted yogis will tell you that yoga is not only the path to enlightenment but also happiness. Numerous studies support this claim, pointing to yoga as a general practice for quelling stress, easing anxiety and elevating mood.

Although there's no scientific analysis of whether particular yoga poses make us happy, research shows that certain body posturing, respiration and thinking positively influence our physiology.

You'll feel lighter and happier, because yoga makes everything better. 

Reasons why Yoga boosts our Happiness

There’s a definitive element that could very well change the way that you see fitness, health, and wellness as a whole. This becomes even more incredible when you start to realize that you can very well get from yoga a boost in your happiness levels. That’s right, there are research and journalism that points towards the most amazing find, that yoga could very well change your life and make it much better. If that sounds like something compelling, then you will no doubt want to explore this on a deeper level.

Oxytocin Is the Key

When looking at the biological response to yoga, you’re going to find that this natural chemical release is the key to moving forward with the health benefits. In order to gain a handle on your overall health, especially wellbeing, you’re going to need to find a way to stimulate the body to create this. Encouraging this release will give you elation, and will come with other benefits such as a release of anxiety, reduction of depression, and even lowering blood pressure. These manifest through the use of meditative elements found in the exercise. It’s something that practitioners will cite every single time they work with the poses, but it’s something that you can start to feel from day one. There’s a certain peace that comes with going through the motions, and you can definitely feel them if you jump into the fray of experiencing this for yourself.

Different kinds of yoga have different benefits


My vision of yoga before I tried it was a lot of statue-like beautiful people in a bare studio going "Om" in unison. It turns out that there are lots of different types of yoga, from very spiritually-focused and/or relaxing all the way up to very athletic and physically demanding. If you think yoga isn't for you because you like (or dislike) a particular style of workout, do your research--chances are excellent there's a style and venue that you'll enjoy. Yoga has become so popular that it's everywhere, and there's no one single way to do it.

Yoga changes your brain immediately


You may think it takes years of dedicated practice before you start to see happiness-results, but that's not the case at all. Studies have shown that the brain's gamma-aminobutyric (GABA) levels spike after just a single hour of yoga. Higher GABA levels are associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety. Simply put, even a single class can start changing your brain chemistry and improving your mood.

Long-term yoga practice creates long-term changes


Those who stick with regular yoga practice report themselves to be happier and healthier. Studies like this one show that yoga reduces fatigue, anxiety, and anger. Real biochemical changes created through yoga practice support better physical and mental health.

Breathing makes you happier


Every yoga practice incorporates some elements of focusing on the breath to invigorate or relax. Research has shown that the ability to become aware of and regulate the breath is key in terms of lowering stress and anchoring oneself in the moment--both of which are needed to feel happier. Although you could do the breathing exercises without the yoga, pairing the two together is a guaranteed happiness-booster.

Straighten your mood


Did you know that your posture is related to your mood? It is, and although we tend to think of sadness as causing slumping rather than vice-versa, it turns out that changing your posture can change your mood. Yoga of all types strengthens that brain-body connection where the body sends messages to the brain that make it feel strong and positive, so don't wait to lengthen your spine and stand up straight!

Breathe in the present moment

According to a 2010 Harvard study, people spend 47% of their time worrying about things that aren't happening ... and, understandably, are less happy because of it. By focusing on your breathing during yoga, you keep your mind in the present moment on your current action.

Better still, in as little as 90 seconds of deep, diaphragmatic breathing, you can initiate your parasympathetic nervous system, which shuts down the stress response by lowering cortisol (stress hormone), blood pressure and heart rate while increasing oxytocin and endorphins (happy hormones).

People that pursue better health, and allow for a quiet time through the meditation of yoga, find themselves in joy and happiness due to the intentions one has. Unhappy individuals have been known to manifest physical issues because they do not pursue intentional change within their life. Focusing on the mat, and going through the learning process of quiet, concentrated meditative elements, happiness manifests.

Certain body posturing, respiration and thinking positively influence our physiology. For instance, even forced smiling in stressful situations immediately lessens your stress response and elicits happy hormone production. As such, my yoga for happiness sequence is based on poses, breathing and meditation proven to boost feel-good physiology within minutes.

TONGUE CLEANING: #HABIT WITH MANY HEALTH BENEFITS

Why Scrape My Tongue?

The main reason why most people use a tongue scraper is to prevent bad breath. Tongue scraping aims to remove odour-causing substances called volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs). In addition to its possible ability to relieve bad breath, some people may use tongue scraping to reduce potentially harmful bacteria in the mouth that could cause cavities, gingivitis, or mouth ulcers. Tongue scraping is a painless and low risk procedure. Notice the color of the coating as well as the quantity. The amount can be a good indication as to whether or not your body was able to digest the food you consumed the previous day. Ayurveda considers the tongue a road map of the entire body, with each section corresponding to a different organ. When we scrape the tongue, it’s like giving our internal organs a gentle massage. The back area of the tongue corresponds with the colon, so scraping that area stimulates peristalsis.

• Clears toxins, bacteria, and dead cells from the tongue to prevent bad breath
• Enhances the sense of taste
• Promotes overall oral and digestive health
• Gently stimulates the internal organs
• Increases your awareness of your state of health

Our bodies are constantly exposed to toxins from our food, beverages, and the environment; even our own metabolic wastes and unresolved emotions can lead to toxicity. When toxins are not properly digested and eliminated, they accumulate in the body and begin to compromise our well-being and immunity. In some cases, bad breath is the result of some sort of periodontal problem, and it is therefore a good idea to see your physician or dentist if halitosis (or bad breath) is a recent condition. Current research indicates that most cases of halitosis (85-90% of them) are a result of the metabolic outputs of naturally occurring bacteria inside the mouth, most of these on the surface of the tongue. Signs that toxins have begun to accumulate in the body are:

• A white coating on the tongue
• Foul-smelling breath or body odour
• Mental fog or confusion
• Overall sense of stagnation or weakness
• Generalized body aches
• Diminished appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Fatigue or lethargy

Your Tongue V/S Bacteria

Dental caries is undoubtedly a multifactorial disease and dental plaque plays a major role in its pathogenesis. Dental plaque is a biofilm, it is formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach itself to the smooth surface of the tooth. It is considered to be a complex, metabolically interconnected, highly organized bacterial system consisting of dense masses of microorganisms embedded in an inter-microbial matrix. The pellicle, which is an organic bacteria-free film, deposits on the tooth surfaces within nanoseconds after vigorous tooth brushing or polishing. Then, the bacteria start to colonize the tooth surface. The dental plaque, in sufficient concentration, can disturb the host-parasite relationship and cause dental caries. The plaque thickness differs depending on the locally prevailing oral cleansing forces, oral hygiene and other factors such as salivary components.

The oral surfaces are colonized by over 500 bacterial species and tongue has the largest bacterial load of any oral tissue and makes the greatest contribution to the bacteria found in the oral cavity. More than 100 bacteria may be attached to a single epithelial cell on top of the tongue, whereas only about 25 bacteria are attached to each cell in other areas of the oral cavity. There is also a continuous shedding of cells of the surface layer of epithelium from the tongue and palate and the availability of oral debris from these sites could contribute to plaque formation on the teeth.

Therefore, reducing the load of bacteria on the tongue may help in reducing the rate of plaque formation on the tooth.

what colour is your tongue

If you have noticed, the colour of a healthy tongue is light pink. While a light white coating is absolutely normal, the texture of your tongue should be slightly fuzzy.

While you might think of your tongue only being a certain color, the truth is that this small muscular organ can come in a range of colors. A tongue may turn red, yellow, purple, or another hue, and certain health conditions may even dictate its shape.

It’s not uncommon for your tongue to be a different color, but it’s still not a sign of optimal health.

If you’re wondering whether your tongue color is considered “healthy,” read on to learn what all the possible shades mean and when you should see a doctor.

Color of a ‘healthy’ tongue

While everyone’s tongue may look slightly different, a “typical healthy” tongue has similar characteristics. It ought to be pink, with a thin whitish coating on the surface.
Papillae are also prevalent on a healthy tongue. These are small nodules along the surface that help you eat and taste your food.

Colors of an ‘unhealthy’ tongue

When your tongue is not its normal pink color, you could have an underlying health issue. Below are other colors your tongue may be and what they could mean.

• Red. A red (not dark pink) tongue could indicate as something as simple as a B vitamin deficiency, which can be remedied by supplementation. Scarlet fever, eczema, and Kawasaki disease may also cause your tongue to turn red. Red patches with white borders along your tongue is a rare, but harmless condition called geographic tongue.
• Purple. Heart problems and poor overall blood circulation may cause your tongue to turn purple. A purple tongue may also be seen in Kawasaki disease.
• Blue. Blue tongue may be indicative of poor oxygen circulation in the blood. This may be attributed to lung problems or kidney disease.
• Yellow. Your tongue may have a yellow appearance if you smoke or use chewing tobacco. Sometimes jaundice and psoriasis may also cause yellow tongue.
• Grey. Sometimes digestive issues may cause your tongue to turn grey. Peptic ulcers or eczema may also be to blame.
• White. A white tongue is usually caused by white patches that grow on the surface. These are usually caused by fungal infections, such as oral thrush. Antifungal medications can clear these patches up. White tongue may also be caused by benign conditions such as leucoplakia or oral lichen planus, which creates the appearance of white lines. Sometimes leucoplakia may become cancerous.
• Brown. This is usually harmless and caused by what you eat and drink. However, tobacco use is another cause of brown tongue, a harmful habit that could potentially lead to signs of oral cancer in the tongue, such as sores.
• Black. A dark brown to black tongue is most commonly attributed to bacteria from poor oral hygiene habits. Diabetes is another potential cause of a black tongue. Sometimes your papillae can multiply and look hairy, which is a characteristic of a benign condition called hairy black tongue.

Tongue diagnosis in Chinese medicine

Health diagnoses by tongue has long been done by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners. According to TCM principles, the tongue itself is considered a representation of your overall health.

There are four main areas of the tongue observed in TCM:

1.     Color. Tongue color is considered the most important indication of all in TCM. Abnormal color changes over the long term could indicate issues with major body organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.

2.     Coating. While a healthy tongue ought to have a thin whitish coating, TCM notes that a thicker coating could indicate an acute issue with your bladder, stomach, or intestines.

3.     Moisture. The moisture of your tongue is also investigated in TCM. Too much moisture indicates “dampness” in your body, while a dry tongue is the exact opposite.

4.     Shape. TCM also considers the shape of your tongue as an important indicator of your health. For example, a thin tongue may indicate fluid loss.

These TCM tongue principles are also being used in clinical studies. This is especially the case with tongue color. One study found that color had a disease diagnosis accuracy rate of nearly 92 percent.

When to see a doctor

Long-term changes in color
Your tongue might look slightly darker or lighter from day to day. However, any long-term changes in color noted above should warrant a visit to the doctor.

Changes in size or shape
You’ll also want to see your doctor if you notice changes in the shape of your tongue, such as swelling, unusual lumps, or thinning.

Changes in moisture or coating
Any changes in moisture and coating also ought to be looked at, especially if you notice thick whitish or yellowish film on your tongue. This type of coating could extend to other areas of the mouth, which could indicate an infection.

Notable changes in your tongue should be looked at by a doctor or dentist

Changes in your tongue may be observed by a doctor during your annual physical. However, if you notice any tongue changes in between your yearly visits, have it checked out by a doctor.

Your dentist will also take a look at your tongue during check-ups to look for signs of an infection or oral cancer.

The takeaway

You may not “see” your tongue on a regular basis, but this often-overlooked body part can provide numerous insights into your overall health.

It’s important to clean your tongue every day so you quickly observe any potential changes. You can use a tongue scraper or do it with your toothbrush while brushing your teeth.

You should see a doctor if any changes in your tongue last for more than two weeks.

When we sleep, our digestive system remains awake, removing toxins from our body by depositing them onto the surface of our tongue. If we don’t scrape away these toxins, they get reabsorbed by the body and can lead to respiratory difficulties, digestive problems, and a compromised immune system.

I can guarantee that, once you start a regular practice of tongue scraping, you will be hooked. After a few weeks, you will notice a significant difference. Your mouth will feel fresher and your taste buds more alive. Personally, I cannot imagine leaving the house before scraping.

Choose a stainless-steel scraper because they are easier to clean and are ideal for balancing for all Ayurvedic constitutions and imbalances.

Plaque is an important source for salivary mutants’ streptococci and the tongue provides the largest bacterial load compared to any other oral tissues and makes the greatest contribution to bacteria. In the evaluation of caries risk, it is thus interesting to estimate the effects of mechanical tongue cleaning techniques on plaque.

Cleaning Your Tongue: Fresh Breath and Much More