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| Seasonal variations in tongue image characteristics among university students：a longitudinal analysis |
| Hits 112 Download times 72 Received:April 22, 2026 |
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| DOI
10.11656/j.issn.1673-9043.2026.08.04 |
| Key Words
tongue image parameters;seasonal variation;objectification of tongue diagnosis |
| Author Name | Affiliation | E-mail | | YU Wenjiao | Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | ZHANG Dong | Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | TIAN Ge | Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | MENG Lingkun | Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | | | WANG Yimin | Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China | ylzmyh@163.com |
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| Abstract
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| [Objective] This study focused on a cohort of university students and longitudinally tracked the dynamic changes in tongue image parameters at three seasonal time points—early spring（early March），early summer（early June），and midsummer（early August）—to reveal the seasonal fluctuation patterns of tongue color. The aim is to provide evidence for the objectification of tongue diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）and to support seasonal health interventions. [Methods] Approximately 1 000 healthy university students aged 18-22 years were enrolled. Tongue images were collected using a tongue diagnostic device，and tongue color and its variations were analyzed through RGB，HSV，and Lab color models. Data were processed using SPSS 21.0：parameters with normal distribution were analyzed by one-way ANOVA，while non normally distributed data were assessed using non parametric tests to evaluate statistical differences in tongue color parameters across different seasons. [Results] Key findings include：1）significant seasonal variations in tongue color parameters，particularly notable fluctuations in the blue component（B-value）and saturation（S-value）during summer（P<0.05）；2）a progressive decline in the proportion of light-red tongues（a key TCM diagnostic category）across seasons—early spring（72.6%）>early summer （68.1%）>midsummer（65.4%）—potentially linked to elevated metabolic rates and humid heat environmental conditions in summer. [Conclusion] The seasonal variations in tongue color are closely related to environmental and physiological factors，providing data support for the objectification of tongue diagnosis and seasonal syndrome differentiation and treatment in TCM. |
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