Tongue Scraper Tongue Cleaner
Tongue Scraper Tongue Cleaner (Sanskrit: Jihwa Nirlekhana / Jihwa Prakshalana) is an instrument used in nasal and oral devices. A thin, curved strip of metal used to scrape the tongue from back to front, removing Ama (toxin) coating, bacteria, and dead cells from the tongue surface. Essential part of Ayurvedic Dinacharya (daily routine).
| Sanskrit name | Jihwa Nirlekhana / Jihwa Prakshalana |
|---|---|
| Ayurvedic category | Nasal and Oral Devices |
A thin, curved strip of metal used to scrape the tongue from back to front, removing Ama (toxin) coating, bacteria, and dead cells from the tongue surface. Essential part of Ayurvedic Dinacharya (daily routine).
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana Chapter 5 (Dinacharya); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu; Sushruta Samhita. Charaka specifies the scraper should be made of gold, silver, copper, tin, or brass, and should be flexible, non-sharp, 10 angula (finger-widths) long.
How is it used traditionally?
Oral hygiene, removal of Ama (coating indicating toxins/poor digestion), improvement of taste perception (Rasa), stimulation of digestive fire (Agni), prevention of halitosis.
Traditional materials
- Gold (Suvarna) - for Vata
- Silver (Rajata) - for Pitta
- Copper (Tamra) - most common, antimicrobial, for Kapha
- Tin (Vanga)
- Brass (Pittala)
Modern variants
- Stainless steel tongue scrapers
- Copper tongue scrapers (most popular)
- Plastic tongue cleaners
Regulatory status
- India Cdsco: Not classified as a medical device. Considered a personal hygiene product.
- Us Fda: Tongue scrapers/cleaners are classified as Class I medical devices (Product Code EIW - Manual Toothbrush family), 510(k) exempt.
- Eu Mdr: Generally not classified as a medical device in EU; considered a hygiene/cosmetic product.
Available from Age Ayurveda
This encyclopedia is published by Age Ayurveda. The products below are ours, and are listed here because they contain or use what this page describes.
Nava Tongue CleanerA stainless steel tongue cleaner for the daily practice of jihwa nirlekhana.
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