Foundation
Structured knowledge card
tongue
Definition
A scanty coating means the tongue has very little coat, sometimes suggesting depletion of fluids or Yin.
Clinical Meaning
It commonly points toward Yin deficiency or fluid depletion. If paired with a red tongue, it supports deficiency heat.
Pitfall / Exam Tip
A scanty coating is often the clue that there is a deficient root beneath an apparently rising or heated picture.
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