Tongue scraping
Jihva Nirlekhana
A quick morning practice of scraping the tongue to remove overnight coating (ama), freshen the mouth, and gently stimulate digestion.
neutral for Vataneutral for Pittareduces Kapha
What it involves
On waking, gently draw a copper or steel tongue scraper from back to front several times, then rinse.
Traditionally used for
- coated tongue
- morning ama
- oral freshness
- dull taste
Contraindications & cautions
- oral ulcers (be gentle)
Questions to ask a practitioner
- Does my tongue coating suggest anything about my digestion?
Evidence notes
Simple daily hygiene practice; reduces oral bacteria load.
Classical sources
- Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 5 — dinacharya (tongue cleaning)
- Ashtanga Hridayam — Sutrasthana 2 — Dinacharya
Educational information about Ayurveda — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified professional before starting any herb, supplement, or therapy.