Tongue analysis software uses ancient Chinese medicine to warn of disease

    May 29, 2012
    For 5,000 years, the Chinese have used a system of medicine based on the flow and balance of positive and negative energies in the body, with the appearance of the tongue as one of the measures used to classify the overall physical status of the body. Now, University of Missouri researchers have developed computer software that combines the ancient practices and modern medicine by providing an automated system for analyzing images of the tongue.

    For 5,000 years, the Chinese have used a system of medicine based on the flow and balance of positive and negative energies in the body, with the appearance of the tongue as one of the measures used to classify the overall physical status of the body, or zheng. Now, University of Missouri researchers have developed computer software that combines the ancient practices and modern medicine by providing an automated system for analyzing images of the tongue.

    "Knowing your zheng classification can serve as a prescreening tool and help with preventive medicine," said Dong Xu, chair of MU's computer science department in the College of Engineering and study co-author. "Our software helps bridge Eastern and Western medicine, since an imbalance in zheng could serve as a warning to go see a doctor."

    "Our software was able to classify people based on their zheng status," said study co-author Ye Duan, associate professor of computer science at MU. "As we continue to work on the software, we hope to improve its ability. Eventually everyone will be able to use this tool at home using webcams or smartphone applications. That will allow them to monitor their zheng and get an early warning about possible ailments."

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