Hua Shi (滑石) — Talc (mineral)

Hua Shi is powdered talc, used in Chinese medicine for Damp-Heat conditions of the urinary tract — painful hot scanty urination, urinary stones and summer-heat damp presentations. Its sweet-bland Cold nature drains Damp downward.

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Dosage
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
6. Key formulas
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Hua Shi (滑石) — Talc (mineral) (Talcum (hydrated magnesium silicate)) — is a Chinese herb in the Drain Dampness category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Drains Damp-Heat
2. Promotes urination
3. Clears Summer-Heat
4. Relieves Lin syndrome (painful urinary difficulty)

Indications

1. Damp-Heat urinary syndrome with pain
2. Urinary stones with Damp-Heat
3. Summer-Heat with thirst and scanty dark urine
4. Damp-Heat diarrhoea (with other herbs)

4. Dosage

9–18g (decocted in a bag)

5. Cautions and incompatibilities

1. Contraindicated in urinary Qi deficiency
2. Not for weak elderly patients without supportive herbs
3. Contraindicated in pregnancy
4. Cosmetic-grade talc may contain contaminants — use pharmaceutical grade only

6. Key formulas

• Liu Yi San
• Ba Zheng San

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Hua Shi where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.