What kind of traditional Chinese medicine is tongue leaf?
In recent years, with the popularization of traditional Chinese medicine culture, more and more people have begun to pay attention to the efficacy and application of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. As a traditional Chinese medicinal material, tongue leaf has recently sparked heated discussions on major health forums and social platforms. This article will introduce in detail the definition, efficacy, usage and market status of tongue leaves, and provide you with a comprehensive analysis based on the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days.
1. Definition and origin of tongue leaf

Tongue leaf, also known as "tongue grass" or "tongue-shaped grass", is a common Chinese herbal medicine, mainly distributed in southern my country. Its leaves are tongue-shaped, hence the name "tongue leaf". Traditional Chinese medicine believes that tongue leaves are cool in nature and slightly bitter in taste. They have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain. They are often used to treat sore throat, oral ulcers and other diseases.
| Properties | Description | 
|---|---|
| scientific name | Glossostigma elatinoides | 
| Distribution area | Southern China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and other places) | 
| Medicinal parts | blade | 
| Sexual taste | Cool in nature, slightly bitter in taste | 
2. Function and clinical application of tongue leaves
The tongue leaf is widely used in clinical TCM. Its main functions include clearing away heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain, soothing the throat and relieving the sound. The following are the main functions and corresponding clinical applications of tongue leaves:
| Efficacy | clinical application | 
|---|---|
| Clear away heat and detoxify | Used to treat wind-heat, cold, and sore throat | 
| Reduce swelling and relieve pain | Relieve oral ulcers and gum swelling and pain | 
| sharp throat opening sound | Improve hoarseness and dry throat | 
| Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory | Assist in the treatment of skin infections and eczema | 
3. How to use tongue leaves
The tongue leaves can be used in various ways, both internally and externally. Here are a few common uses:
1.Decoction for oral administration: Take 10-15 grams of dried tongue leaves, add water and boil, 1-2 times a day, suitable for sore throat or cold and fever.
2.Make tea and drink: Wash the fresh tongue leaves and soak them in water instead of tea to relieve dry throat.
3.Apply externally to the affected area: Mash fresh tongue leaves and apply to the affected area. It can be used to treat skin inflammation or mosquito bites.
4. Hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days and discussions related to tongue leaf
After combing through hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days, we found that tongue leaves were frequently mentioned in the following scenarios:
| platform | hot topics | focus of discussion | 
|---|---|---|
| # Summer heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine# | Comparison between tongue leaf and other traditional Chinese medicines for clearing away heat and detoxifying | |
| Zhihu | “Can tongue leaves really cure mouth ulcers?” | The actual therapeutic effect and scientific basis of tongue leaves | 
| little red book | "Togue Leaf Tea DIY Tutorial" | Methods and experiences of making tongue leaf tea at home | 
| Health Forum | "Market price and purchasing tips of tongue leaves" | How to identify high-quality tongue leaves and market price fluctuations | 
5. Market status and precautions for tongue leaves
At present, the price of tongue leaves in the Chinese herbal medicine market is relatively stable. However, due to its special growth environment, wild resources are gradually decreasing, and artificially planted tongue leaves have gradually become the mainstream. The following is the recent market price reference for tongue leaves:
| Type | Price (yuan/kg) | Remarks | 
|---|---|---|
| wild tongue leaf | 120-150 | The supply is scarce and the price is high | 
| Artificially planted tongue leaves | 60-80 | Market mainstream, high cost performance | 
| Dried tongue leaves (for tea) | 100-120 | Suitable for drinking tea | 
Things to note:
1. The tongue and leaves are cool in nature and should be used with caution in those with spleen and stomach deficiency.
2. Pregnant women and infants must consult a physician before use.
3. When purchasing, you must choose formal channels to avoid fake and shoddy products.
Conclusion
As a traditional Chinese medicinal material, tongue leaf is attracting more and more attention due to its unique efficacy and wide range of application scenarios. Through the introduction of this article, I believe you will have a deeper understanding of tongue leaves. Whether used for daily health care or auxiliary treatment of diseases, tongue leaves are a traditional Chinese medicine option worth trying.
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