Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Thursday 7 November 2013

Chinese Herbs– Hua Shi (Talcum)

Hua Shi is also known as Talc Powder or Hydrous magnesium silicate. The sweet, bland and cold herb has been used in TCM as Diuretic agent to treat infection of the urinary tract, difficulty in urination, as it calms pain on urination, disperses and eliminates Summer-Heat, etc., by enhancing the functions of stomach and bladder channels.

Ingredients
Magnesium silicate

Health Benefits
1. Cervical lymphocoeles managing
In the study of the surgical management which can pose many challenges with the lack of clear surgical planes potentiating risks, found that Talc sclerotherapy may be used successfully in the management of patients with cervical lymphocoeles, obviating the need for high risk surgical procedures, according to “Cervical lymphocoele: a simple solution for a complicated problem” by Qureishi A, Silva P, Lamyman A, Cox G.(1) 2. Large, persistent lymphocoeles
In the evaluation of the technique used to treat large, persistent lymphocoeles involved ‘painting’ the lymphocoele wall with an argon beam coagulator after evacuating its contents, found that the procedure was completely successful in each of the four patients treated. After a mean follow-up period of 11 months (range 6-15 months) no lymphocoele recurrence has occurred and concluded that Use of an argon beam coagulator and talc reliably achieves rapid, definitive obliteration of large, persistent lymphocoeles, according to “Treatment of large, persistent lymphocoeles using an argon beam coagulator and talc” by Vrouenraets BC, Thompson JF, McCarthy WH.(2)
3. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis
In the characterization of the physicochemical properties of nanotalc particles from two different geographical regions and examineation of their toxicity mechanisms in human lung epithelial (A549) cells, found that that both IN and CN particles significantly induce cytotoxicity and alteration in cell cycle phases. Both IN and CN particles were found to induce oxidative stress indicated by induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and depletion of antioxidant levels. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activation due to IN and CN particles exposure were also observed. We further showed that after iron chelation, IN and CN particles produce significantly less cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity to A549 cells as compared with nonchelated particles, according to ‘Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by nanoscale talc particles from two different geographical regions in human lung epithelial cells” by Akhtar MJ, Ahamed M, Khan MA, Alrokayan SA, Ahmad I, Kumar S.(3)
4. Wound complications
In the evaluation of a novel technique of applying talc to wound subcutaneous tissues to decrease wound complications, found that the use of talc in the subcutaneous space of OVHR/WSD results in significantly earlier removal of subcutaneous drains, fewer wound complications, and a decrease in early hernia recurrence. Use of talc in the subcutaneous space at the time of wound closure is an excellent technique to decrease wound complications in large subcutaneous dissections, according to “Application of subcutaneous talc in hernia repair and wide subcutaneous dissection dramatically reduces seroma formation and postoperative wound complications” by Klima DA, Brintzenhoff RA, Tsirline VB, Belyansky I, Lincourt AE, Getz S, Heniford BT.(4)
5. Etc.

Side effects

1. Inhalation may cause pulmonary edema and irritation to the upper respiratory tract
2. Overdoses can cause digestive discomfort, including gastric irritation, nausea, and diarrhea
3. Do not use the Huia Ju Hong in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding with out approval first with the related field specialist
4. The herb may cause skin allergy, if contacted
5. Do not use the herb in case of spleen deficiency
6. Perineal use of talcum powder may increase the risk of Ovarian and endometrial cancer(a)
7. Etc.