Tongue Disorders
Symptoms
The tongue performs a number of other functions besides tasting, such as talking, swallowing and chewing. Like other parts of the body, the tongue can signal a variety of systemic problems. One condition is called geographic tongue, where the tongue has smooth, red areas with white elevations of the papillae, which make the tongue's surface look like a landscape. The landscape changes daily as a result of normal tissue shedding in different areas of the tongue. It is not painful or serious. Another mild, but serious-looking, disorder is the hairy tongue, where the papillae grow too long and become black. Leukoplakia is an illness in which parts of the tongue and mouth are covered with a calloused, white coating. Thrush looks similar, characterized by raised, white patches bordered by red mucous membranes. Thrush typically begins on the tongue and spreads through the mouth. Wiping the coating away leaves raw, bleeding sores.
Tongue Disorders Causes
Most tongue disorders are due to vitamin deficiencies, medications, digestive problems and dietary changes. The cause of injury and irritation is usually obvious, caused by foods that are too spicy, acidic, or too hot or cold. Smoking, besides being a source of irritation, increases the risk of oral cancer. Allergies can cause sudden irritations with itching, redness and burning. Leukoplakia, which tends to occur in men between ages twenty-five and fifty-five, is likely the result of repeated exposure to irritating substances. Thrush is caused by a thriving candida infection, most common after a dose of antibiotics. Babies and the elderly, who have a low resistance, are more likely to experience thrush.
The continually changing landscape of the geographic tongue results from a frequent shedding of the tongue's papillae, which are the small bumps used for taste and adhesion. The cause is unknown, though inadequate amounts of B vitamins and changes in diet should be considered. The hairy tongue often occurs after antibiotic use, though irritants like mouthwashes also cause problems in some cases. A burning tongue is often a symptom of anemia, due to lack of iron or vitamin B12. Painful ulcers on the tongue tend to develop with cold sores or canker sores.
Tongue Disorders Nutrition
Geographic tongue, or strawberry-like dots on the back of the tongue, and other tongue disorders are often due to a deficiency in B complex vitamins. Find relief by adding nutritional yeast to the daily diet, as a spread on wholegrain bread or added to salads and soups. Avoid any foods that irritate the tongue, such as sugar, fried foods, salt, strong spices, peppers, animal fats, alcohol, soft drinks, tea, coffee and chocolate. Fasting for a day or two will restore taste buds that have been overstimulated or lost their ability to taste.
Tongue Disorders Nutritional Supplements
Various tongue disorders can indicate nutritional deficiencies, especially in any of the B vitamins. Geographic tongue will often clear up with B vitamin supplements. A red, sore tongue associated with a sore mouth can indicate a niacin or a vitamin-B6 deficiency. If the tongue also becomes smooth and shiny, the body is likely to be lacking in folic acid or B12. A vitamin-B2 deficiency causes the tongue to turn purple, while a lack of pantothenic acid results in an enlarged, beefy tongue. Vitamin-C deficiency causes canker sores in the mouth and on the tongue. Vitamins A and E are helpful for healing the mucous membranes.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg
Helpful
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU
(avoid during pregnancy)
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
Tongue Disorders Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies are excellent for treating stomach and digestive disorders, stimulating the taste buds and fighting infections which cause tongue disorders.
Burning tongue:
If burning tongue is due to a chronic deficiency of gastric acid, use bitter herbs to trigger the flow of stomach juices. Dandelion, wormwood, plantain, black radish and nettle juice are effective. Take 1 tbsp. of herbal juices three times daily.
Coated tongue:
Drink 3 cups of sage tea daily for three weeks to improve digestive or kidney disorders causing the tongue problem.
Rinse the mouth every two hours with camomile tea, using fresh, whole blossoms, not tea bags.
Geographic tongue:
Herbs that help reduce excess acid include camomile, aloe vera, slippery elm, goldenseal, licorice and peppermint. Add 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water and drink three times daily.
Take 20-30 drops of echinacea three times daily to help relieve the pain.
Loss of taste:
For a couple of weeks, take 1 tbsp. of Swedish bitters daily to stimulate the sense of taste.
Mix 3 parts camomile, 2 parts lavender, 1 part calendula, 3 parts thyme, 4 parts hyssop and
3 parts juniper berries. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tsp. of this mix, steep for fifteen minutes, strain and drink 3 cups daily for two to three weeks. This herbal brew has helped many to rejuvenate their taste buds.
Tongue infection:
Rinse the mouth with 20 drops of echinacea tincture or 5 drops of tea tree oil diluted in warm water.
To draw toxins from the body, drink 1 tsp. of healing clay in a glass of water daily for one week.
Tongue Disorders Homeopathy
A sample of the many homeopathic remedies for tongue disorders is given below. Take one in the 6c strength three times daily for up to fourteen days. For recurring or persistent problems, an experienced homeopath can provide a more in-depth treatment to achieve lasting results.
Antimonium is recommended for a thick, milky and dirty-looking coating on the tongue, especially in children.
Take Bryonia for a thick, white coating. The mouth and tongue are dry and the person is very thirsty.
Take Hydrastis for a swollen tongue that feels scalded. Down the center of the tongue is a strip of yellow coating.
Natrum mur is useful for geographical tongue that is blistered and burning. The affected areas are white or yellow and the rest of the tongue is red.
Use Taraxacum for geographical tongue that peels in the affected patches.
Tongue Disorders Tissue Salts
For tissue salt remedies, see these related conditions: allergies, anemia, candidiasis, canker sores and cold sores.
Tongue Disorders External/Physical Therapies
Refer to Herbal Remedies in this section.
Tongue Disorders Available Brand Name Products
Herbal Remedies
Schoenenberger Black Radish Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Swedish Bitters-Extra Strength
(Natural Factors)
