Halloysitum Rubrum (Chishizhi)

Naming
Chi Shi Zhi (Halloysitum Rubrum)-Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)

Origin
The enhydrous kaolinite of the family Silicate. Mainly contain enhydrous aluminium aluminate.

Location
Fujian, Shandong, Henan provinces in China.

Harvest
Mined all the year round, removed gravel.

The actual smell and taste
Slight clay flavor, slight flavor, chew it without sand feeling.

Best quality
Red, smooth, exquisite, soft, brittle, absorb water well.

Processing
Refined with water or refined with water after calcined in the fire.

Property
Sweet, astringent, warm; large intestine and stomach meridians entered.

Actions
Astringe intestines to check diarrhea, astringe to stop bleeding, astringe leukorrhagia, produce skin and cure ulcer when externally used.

Indications
A. Chronic diarrhea and dysentery

It is good at astringing intestines to check diarrhea and stopping bleeding. For chronic diarrhea and dysentery due to deficiency cold, it is combined with Yu Yu Liang in mutual reinforcement, such as in the formula Chi Shi Zhi Yu Yu Liang Tang from Shang Han Lun. For chronic dysentery due to deficiency cold, purulent and hematochezia, it is combined with the middle-warming and spleen-tonifying herbs. For instance, it is used with Rhizoma Zingiberis (Ganjiang) and Jing Mi in the formula Tao Hua Tang from Shang Han Lun.

B. Hematochezia, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis

It is indicated for hematochezia, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis because it can astringe to check bleeding. For hematochezia, it is combined with hemostatic herbs. For instance, it is used with Yu Yu Liang, Long Gu and Di Yu. For metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, it is combined with herbs to strengthen thoroughfare vessels, relieve metrorrhagia. For instance, it is used with Hai Piao Xiao and Ce Bai Ye. For bleeding of digestive tract, it is combined with Rhizoma Bletillae (Baiji).

C. Leukorrhagia

It can astringe to relieve leukorrhagia. For thin leucorrhea due to kidney deficiency, it is combined with herbs of warming, tonifying and astringing. For instance, it is used with Lu Jiao Shuang, Qian Shi and Hai Piao Xiao.

D. Ulcer without curing and eczema

External application can dry dampness, cure ulcer and produce new skin. For ulcer without curing and eczema, it could be smashed into powder singly or combined with herbs, for instance, it is used with Long Gu, Ru Xiang, Mo Yao and Hai Piao Xiao, to paste on the affected areas.

Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 10~20 g. Proper dosage for external use, smashed and pasted on the affected area.

Cautions
It is contraindicated in cases of diarrhea or dysentery of damp-heat type. Use with caution for pregnant women. It is incompatible to Guan Gui (Rou Gui).