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Latin pharmacognostic name: Halloysitum Rubrum

Alternate English names: red halloysite

Alternate Chinese names: 石脂 shí zhī; 赤石土 chì shí tǔ; 红土 hóng tǔ; 红高岭 hóng gāo lǐng; 吃油脂 chī yóu zhī

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: A mineral mainly composed of Al₄[Si₄O₁₀](OH)₈·4H₂O.

Use: Medicinal

Category: Exterior-resolving agents

Properties: Sweet, astringent; warm.

Channel entry: Stomach and large intestine channels.

Indications:

• Astringes the intestines and checks diarrhea: Enduring diarrhea; enduring dysentery.
• Stanches bleeding by astriction: Flooding and spotting; vaginal discharge; bloody stool.
• Closes sores and engenders flesh: Enduring sores that fail to close.

Dosage & Method: Oral: 10–20g in decoctions. Use the crude form for topical application and the calcined form for internal application.

Warnings: Contraindicated in diarrhea or dysentery due to due to damp-heat accumulation and stagnation in the digestive tract. Use with care in pregnancy. Chì shí zhī fears ròu guì (Cinnamomi Cortex). Chì shí zhī may temporarily affect the absorption of some drugs, so it should not be taken within several hours of other medications.

Product Description: This mineral is native brown iron oxide and comes in irregularly shaped lumps of varying size. It is pinkish or purplish red in color, sometimes with pale markings. It is smooth like resin. It has a fine texture and breaks easily and smoothly. It is highly water-absorbent and feels sticky when licked. It has the smell of earth.

Quality: Good halloysite is smooth, fine in texture, bright in color, and sticky when licked.

Product Area: Fújiàn, Shāndōng, Hénán.

Etymology: The name chì shí zhī 赤石脂, literally red stone paste, describes the color and pasty quality of this item.

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