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Cura x Cura

Chi Shi Zhi赤石脂

Halloysitum Rubrum · Halloysite · Red Halloysite

Astringent Herbs 收涩药《神农本草经》

Overview

A soft, reddish clay mineral of hydrated aluminium silicate, and the astringent Zhang Zhong-jing built Tao Hua Tang around in the Shang Han Lun. Sweet, sour, astringent and warm, entering the Large Intestine and Stomach channels, it binds chronic diarrhea and dysentery of the cold-deficiency type, checks abnormal uterine bleeding and persistent discharge, and — applied as a fine powder — dries weeping sores and helps them close. Being a mineral, it is wrapped for decoction and cooked longer than a leaf or flower.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, astringent · Warm

Channels

Large Intestine · Stomach

Typical Dosage

10–20 g in decoction
赤石脂Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Binds the intestines, stops diarrheaChronic diarrhea and dysentery from cold and deficiency, including stool with pus or blood — the Tao Hua Tang pattern, with Gan Jiang and rice.
  • Stops bleeding, checks dischargeProlonged uterine bleeding and persistent vaginal discharge of the deficiency-cold type, where the problem is failure to hold rather than heat.
  • Astringes sores, helps flesh regenerateApplied as a fine powder to weeping, slow-healing sores, ulcers and burns.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Chi Shi Zhi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Chronic diarrhea and dysentery of cold-deficiency type, including with pus or blood
    - Rectal prolapse following long-standing diarrhea
    - Prolonged uterine bleeding and deficiency-type vaginal discharge
    - Weeping, slow-healing sores and ulcers (topical)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic diarrheaDysenteryMetrorrhagiaChronic wounds

Contraindications

Cautions

Purely astringent: it must not be used while damp-heat, food stagnation or an active infection is still present, because binding the intestines too early traps the pathogen — treat the cause first. Classical incompatibility: not used together with Rou Gui 肉桂. As a mineral it sits heavily on the digestion and is not for long courses. Diarrhea that is persistent, bloody or accompanied by fever needs a medical diagnosis before it is simply bound.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Use with caution in pregnancy — practitioner supervision required.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.