This product is a silicate mineral of the Talc group, Talc (Huashi), primarily containing hydrated magnesium silicate [Mg₃‧ (Si₄O₁₀)‧ (OH) ₂], mainly produced in Shandong, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Liaoning, and other regions. It can be harvested all year round. It is used by grinding into powder or grinding with water.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Sweet and bland, cold. act on stomach and bladder channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Promote urination, clear summer heat, and remove dampness to heal sores.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for dysuria, dribbling and painful urination. It can clear bladder heat accumulation, promote urination, and is a commonly used medicine for treating heat stranguria. For dysuria caused by dampness-heat pouring down, heat stranguria, urolithic stranguria, and urinary retention, it is often used together with Akebia Stem, Plantain Seed, Lilac Pink Herb, etc., such as Eight-Ingredient Rectification Powder. If used for urolithic stranguria, it can be combined with Sea Gold Sand, Christina Loosestrife, Akebia Stem, etc., such as the Two-Gold Stone-Expelling Decoction.
2. Used for summerheat dampness and dampness warm disease. This product is sweet and cold, capable of both promoting urination and relieving summerheat, making it a commonly used medicine for treating summerheat dampness. For summerheat with irritability and thirst, and scanty dark urine, it can be used with Liquorice Root, namely Six-to-One Powder; for summerheat warmth, chest tightness, and poor qi movement, it can be combined with Coix Seed, White Cardamom, Bitter Apricot Seed, etc., such as Three-Kernel Decoction.
3. Used for eczema and dampness rash. This product has the effect of clearing heat, drying dampness, and healing sores when applied externally. For eczema and dampness rash, it can be used alone or mixed with Alum, Phelloendron Bark, etc., and sprinkled on the affected area; or combined with Mentha, Liquorice Root, etc., to make prickly heat powder for treating prickly heat.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "It treats body heat and diarrhea, difficult lactation in women, ischuria, promotes urination, and disperses abdominal masses of cold and heat in the stomach."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Talc not only benefits the urinary tract but also the pores of the skin and the orifices of essence and urine. Its sweet and bland taste first enters the stomach, permeates the meridians, circulates essential qi, ascends to the lungs, and descends to the bladder. The lungs govern the skin and body hair, serving as the upper source of water. The bladder manages body fluids, and when qi transformation occurs, they can be expelled. Therefore, Talc can promote perspiration, regulate the water passages, and act as a remedy for clearing heat and drying dampness."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct 10-15g; it is advisable to wrap in cloth. Apply an appropriate amount externally.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Spleen deficiency, Rebing damage to fluid, and contraindicated for pregnant women.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Talc contains magnesium silicate, aluminum oxide, nickel oxide, etc. The magnesium silicate in this product has adsorbent and astringent properties, and when taken orally, it can protect the intestinal wall. When talc powder is sprinkled on wounds, it forms a membrane that protects the wound, absorbs secretions, and promotes scab formation.