Foundation Knowledge

Purple Tongue Body

A purple tongue body often suggests blood stasis, cold congealing, or prolonged stagnation.

Foundation

Structured knowledge card

tongue
Definition

The tongue body appears purple or dark-purple, either focally or diffusely.

Clinical Meaning

It commonly points to blood stasis, cold stagnation, chronic pain, or impaired circulation.

Pitfall / Exam Tip

Purple does not automatically mean heat. Both cold and stasis can produce a dark-purple tongue, so the stem must guide the interpretation.