Chalk
Aliases：Bái Tú, Bái Shàn, Bái Shàn, Bái È, Bái Shàn Tǔ, Bái Tǔ Zǐ, Huà Fěn, Bái Tǔ.
Bái È is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is derived from clay rock kaolin or bentonite; the former mainly contains the silicate mineral kaolinite (belonging to the kaolinite group), while the latter mainly contains montmorillonite (belonging to the smectite group).
Efficacy & Actions
Warms the middle and kidneys; astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea; stops bleeding; heals sores.
Indications
Indicated for vomiting (regurgitation), diarrhea and dysentery, spermatorrhea in men, irregular menstruation and infertility in women, hematemesis, hematochezia, epistaxis (nosebleed), red and sore eyelid margins, chronic ulcers on the shin, prickly heat with itching, and other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological studies indicate that Bái È has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antidiarrheal effects.
Ingredients
The main component of Bái È is silicate, with chemical formulas including Al₄Si₄O₁₀₈, KAl₂Si₃AlO₁₀₂, (Na,Ca₁/₂)₀.₃₃(Al,Mg)₂(Si,Al)₄O₁₀₂·nH₂O, and others. It also contains elements such as iron, titanium, barium, strontium, vanadium, chromium, and copper.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: take in pills or powders, 4.5–9 g (some sources document 1.5–3 qián). For external use: apply an appropriate amount, ground into powder and sprinkled on, or mixed and applied topically.
Contraindications
Should not be taken for a prolonged period, as it may damage the five viscera and cause emaciation. When using, it is advisable to select the white variety and process it by rinsing with salt water, to prevent it from becoming astringent and obstructing the intestines.
Selected Formulas
For deficient-heat with gastric reflux (Furen Liangfang, Bai'e San) Take 1 jin of Bai'e Tu (white clay) and 1 jin of rice vinegar. Calcinate the clay until red, then quench it in vinegar. Repeat the calcination and quenching until the vinegar is completely absorbed. Take 2 liang of the processed clay and 1 qian of Paojiang (processed ginger), grind into powder. Take 1 qian each time with rice water; for severe cases, take 2 qian. For watery diarrhea with undigested food (Shengji Zonglu, Bai'e Wan) Take 1 liang of calcined Bai'e, 1 liang of Paojiang (dried ginger, processed), and 2 liang of fresh Chu (Broussonetia) leaves (ground fine). Grind the three ingredients together into powder, mix with flour paste to make pills the size of mung beans. Take 20 pills on an empty stomach with rice water. For persistent epistaxis (Ruizhutang Jingyan Fang) Take 5 qian of white clay powder, mix with well water, and drink. For wind-induced red and eroded eyelids (Huatuo Fang) Take 1 liang of white clay and 1 qian of Tongqing (copper green). Grind into powder. For each use, take 0.5 qian, steep in hot water, and wash the eyes. For non-healing lower leg ulcers (Jixuan Fang) Take Baishan Tu (white clay), calcinate and grind into powder, mix with raw oil, and apply topically.
Medicinal Parts
Massive or powdered form of kaolin or bentonite clay rock.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place in a sealed container, protected from moisture.
