Prolonged blackening of the tongue in the elderly is abnormal. If the old man’s tongue is usually light red tongue, thin white moss, after taking black food such as mulberry tongue color appears black for a short period of time, there is no need to worry. If the tongue color black for a long time suggests a pathological state, may be gastrointestinal dryness and heat, cold and dampness, yin deficiency and other evidence.
1. Gastrointestinal dry heat evidence. The tongue is black and dry, accompanied by red tongue color. Stools are not passable, yi qi (farting) occurs frequently, abdominal pain refuses to be pressed, hardness when pressed, and even hot flashes and delusions (gibberish), and the pulse is heavy and solid. Most of them are treated with Da Cheng Qi Tang.
2. Cold-dampness internalization syndrome. The tongue is black and moist, with pale tongue texture. Fear of cold limbs, dysuria (unsmooth urination), dizziness, swelling of the body, especially below the waist, with a sunken and thin pulse. Zhen Wu Tang combined with Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang is often used for treatment.
3. Yin deficiency syndrome. The tongue is black and reddish-red. Kidney yin deficiency or stomach yin deficiency is often seen. Kidney yin deficiency is often seen as soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, night sweating (sweating abnormally after going to sleep and stopping after waking up), dizziness and tinnitus, which is treated with Liouweidihuang Pill; Stomach yin deficiency is often seen as vague pain in the stomach and epigastric region with a burning sensation, hunger and lack of appetite, and a fine pulse, which is treated with Yu Nuyin Decoction.
It should be noted that: the elderly long-term black tongue please consult a doctor in a timely manner, under the guidance of a professional doctor’s diagnosis and treatment, to avoid aggravation of the condition.