Chì Shí Zhī (赤石脂), known in English as Red halloysite (Halloysitum rubrum), is a warm, sweet, sour and astringent Chinese herb from the Stabilise & bind category. It enters the Large Intestine and Stomach channels. Its main action: binds intestines, stops diarrhoea.
| Pinyin | Chì Shí Zhī (Chi Shi Zhi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 赤石脂 |
| English | Red halloysite |
| Botanical name | Halloysitum rubrum |
| Category | Stabilise & bind |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet, Sour, Astringent |
| Channels | Large Intestine, Stomach |
| Dosage | 9–12g (decoct first) |
| Cautions | Damp-Heat accumulation; pregnancy (use with caution); not used with Rou Gui |
Actions
- Binds intestines, stops diarrhoea
- Stops bleeding
- Generates flesh, closes sores (topical)
Indications
- Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery
- Blood in the stool
- Uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge
- Non-healing ulcers and weeping eczema (topical)
How to remember Chì Shí Zhī
Stabilise & bind herbs are mostly astringent and sweet, and most enter the Kidney channel.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Astringent: like most Stabilise & bind herbs
- Large Intestine channel: from its action “Binds intestines”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Stabilise & bind herbs vary in nature
- Sour: unusual for Stabilise & bind herbs (most are astringent or sweet)
- Stomach channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Other Stabilise & bind herbs
- Wǔ Wèi Zǐ
- Shān Zhū Yú
- Jīn Yīng Zǐ
- Qiàn Shí
- Lián Zǐ
- Fú Xiǎo Mài
- Wū Méi
- Ròu Dòu Kòu
- Hē Zǐ
- Chūn Pí
- Fù Pén Zǐ
- Sāng Piāo Xiāo
- Hǎi Piāo Xiāo
- Lián Xū
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Chì Shí Zhī?
Chì Shí Zhī is warm and sweet, sour and astringent.
Which channels does Chì Shí Zhī enter?
Chì Shí Zhī enters the Large Intestine and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Chì Shí Zhī?
Binds intestines, stops diarrhoea; Stops bleeding; Generates flesh, closes sores (topical).
What is Chì Shí Zhī used for?
Chronic diarrhoea and dysentery; blood in the stool; uterine bleeding and vaginal discharge; non-healing ulcers and weeping eczema (topical).
Practise Chì Shí Zhī and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.