1
Liver-gallbladder damp-heat
- Key distinguishing signs
- Bitter dry mouth, irritability, hypochondrial fullness, dark urine, yellow discharge, red tongue with yellow greasy edge
- Treatment principle
- Clear and drain liver-gallbladder damp-heat
Digestivekǒu kǔ kǒu nián
Bitter or sticky mouth
Also called:bitter tastethick taste in mouth
From the TCM perspective: Mouth taste: heat or damp-phlegm rising
Overview
An abnormal bitter or sticky taste even without food. Bitterness often signals liver-gallbladder heat or stomach fire rising; sticky/sweet taste suggests damp-heat or phlegm; bland taste suggests middle deficiency. Medication or oral/nasal disease can also cause it.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Stomach fire rising
- Key distinguishing signs
- Bitterness with bad breath, thirst, strong hunger and constipation, red tongue with yellow coat
- Treatment principle
- Clear stomach fire
3
Damp-phlegm in the middle
- Key distinguishing signs
- Sticky slightly sweet mouth, phlegm, heaviness, poor appetite, thick white greasy tongue coat
- Treatment principle
- Dry dampness and resolve phlegm with aromatic herbs
4
Middle qi deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Bland tasteless mouth, mild dryness, fatigue, poor appetite, pale tongue and weak pulse
- Treatment principle
- Tonify spleen qi and harmonize the stomach
Daily self-care
- Maintain oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, tongue scraping) and hydration.
- For damp-heat reduce sweets, fatty food and dairy; for heat reduce spicy and fried food.
- Review medications and gum/nasal causes if the taste persists.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Bitter taste with jaundice, right upper abdominal pain or very dark urine.
- Weight loss with persistent altered taste, swallowing difficulty or a neck lump.
- Sudden onset with neurological symptoms or one-sided facial weakness.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.