Hua Shi (Talcum)

Hua Shi (滑石), talc, promotes urination and clears damp-heat from the Bladder (a principal herb for hot, painful urination and stones), clears summerheat, and is applied externally for damp, weeping skin.

Huá Shí  ·  滑石

Latin / Pharmaceutical Name

Talcum

Common English Name

Talc

Taste

Sweet, bland

Temperature

Cold

Channels Entered

Bladder, Stomach

Actions & Functions

  • Clears damp-heat and promotes urination (painful urination, stones)
  • Clears summerheat
  • (External) clears damp-heat and dries weeping skin lesions

Indications

Hot, painful, difficult urination and urinary stones; summerheat with thirst and irritability; and damp skin rashes and eczema (topical).

Dosage

9-18 g, decocted in a cloth bag.

Common Combinations

With Gan Cao (Liu Yi San) for summerheat; with Che Qian Zi for painful urination.

Cautions & Contraindications

Avoid in Spleen deficiency, fluid deficiency and during pregnancy.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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