Taste in the mouth

The taste experienced when there is nothing in the mouth. Changes in the taste in the mouth are of corroborative value in pattern identification. If the taste in the mouth is unaffected by illness, the mouth is said to be in harmony. This indicates that there is no heat in the interior.

Bitter taste is the most commonly reported deviation from harmony of mouth and is attributed to bile. It is observed in lesser yáng (shào yáng) disease and depressed liver-gallbladder heat.

Sweet taste in the mouth is attributable either to spleen-stomach heat or to dual vacuity of spleen-stomach qì and yīn.

Salty taste, sometimes described as being fishy, is ascribed to kidney vacuity.

Sour taste in the mouth is a subjective feeling of sourness in the mouth, that in severe cases may be accompanied by a sour smell on the breath. It is attributed to liver heat, to spleen vacuity being exploited by wood, or to food stagnation.

Bland taste in the mouth is diminished sense of taste. It is usually associated with no enjoyment in food and poor appetite. It is attributed to spleen-stomach vacuity or to dampness obstructing the center burner.

See bitter taste in the mouth; sweet taste in the mouth; sour taste in the mouth; bland taste in the mouth. See also sliminess in the mouth.