Witnessed by: TCM
Red halloysite (red kaolin) (Halloysite), of the silicate (kaolin-group clay) family. A soft, red to reddish-brown earthy clay, unctuous and adhering to the tongue; native range: reddish clay beds and weathered kaolin deposits. Globally recognized as 赤石脂 chi shi zhi in Chinese, and red halloysite, red kaolin, red bole in English. The part used is the purified red clay. Fine, greasy-smooth red clay that sticks to the tongue and breaks with an earthy fracture.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
RED HALLOYSITE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- red halloysite (red kaolin)
- Scientific name
- Halloysite (Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄ · iron-stained red kaolin-group clay)
- Family
- silicate (kaolin-group clay)
Form
- Part used
- the purified red clay
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · astringent · sour
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Large Intestine · Stomach · Spleen
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- astringes the intestines to stop chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, stabilises and stops bleeding (uterine bleeding, blood in the stool), and — used externally — absorbs damp, generates flesh and heals sores and non-healing ulcers
Cautions
- Contraindications
- acute damp-heat dysentery, and pregnancy; classically counteracted by cinnamon bark (rou gui)
- Toxicity
- a benign clay in ordinary use
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