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The main vessel of the Heart connects to the root of the tongue. The collaterals of the Spleen connect to both sides of the tongue. The vessel of the Liver follows the Yin Qi Luo Mai (Collateral Vessels) to connect to the Shuben (root of the tongue). The Jin Ye (Body Fluids) of the Kidney emerge from the tip of the tongue.

If the tongue becomes stiff and short, or rolls up without speech, it indicates a fatal condition. Internally, emotional stagnation caused by the Seven Emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Pensiveness, Grief, Fear, Fright) leads to Qi Stagnation, resulting in a stiff, congested, swollen, or shortened tongue; this is due to Phlegm-Heat causing Lung Distension. If blood spurts from the tongue like a spring, it is due to Liver Heat. If sores form and rupture on the tongue, it is due to Heart Heat. If the tongue coating is dry and rough like snow, it is due to Spleen Heat. If one or two black spots appear on the tongue, it is due to Kidney Deficiency. There is also Mu She (Wood Tongue), characterized by the tongue swelling to fill the mouth and inability to move it. There is Chong She (Double Tongue), where an additional growth emerges attached to the root of the tongue, causing inability to speak and difficulty in eating. There are also cases where the tongue extends beyond one cun in length. Each condition has its specific treatment methods.

Qing Shun Tang (Clear and Smooth Decoction): Treats stiff, congested, and swollen tongue.
Ingredients: Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Shan Zhi Ren (Gardeniae Semen), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix) (each 2 qian), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (4 qian).
Usage: Add three slices of fresh ginger, decoct in water, and take at any time.

Another prescription: Treats bleeding from the tongue.
Ingredients: Pu Huang (Typhonii Pollen), Sheng Di (Rehmanniae Radix), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Dang Gui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 2 qian).
Usage: Add one cup of Ou Zhi (Lotus Root Juice) just before taking.

Another prescription: Treats persistent tongue bleeding.
Ingredients: Huai Hua (Sophorae Flos) (stir-fried and ground into an extremely fine powder, applied directly to the lesion to stop bleeding).

Another prescription: Treats abnormal tongue coating.
Usage: Rub the tongue with fresh ginger dipped in water, then rinse the mouth with decocted Huang Lian water.

Xi Huang Yin (Rhino Horn Drink): Treats Mu She (Wood Tongue). Symptoms include tongue swelling filling the mouth.
Ingredients: Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Xi Jiao (Rhinocerotis Cornu), Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 2 qian), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma) (5 qian).
Usage: Decoct in water and take at any time.

Li Xiao San (Immediate Dissipation Powder): Treats Chong She (Double Tongue).
Ingredients: Zao Jiao Ci (Gleditsiae Spina), Po Xiao (Natrii Sulfas), Huang Lian (Coptidis Rhizoma), Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum) (equal parts).
Usage: Grind the above ingredients into powder and apply to the affected area. Additionally, decoct Huang Lian soup and sip it frequently.

Suo She San (Retracting Tongue Powder): Treats tongue extending beyond one cun.
Ingredients: Bing Pian (Borneolum Syntheticum) (2 qian), Zhu Sha (Cinnabaris) (3 qian).
Usage: Grind into a fine powder, mix with Zhu Dan (Porcine Bile), apply topically, and the tongue will retract.

Another prescription:
Puncture the rooster's comb to obtain blood, place it in a small bowl, and soak the tongue in it; the tongue will immediately retract.