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Talcum (Huashi): Its color is white and taste is bland; its texture is slippery and soft, and its nature is cool and dispersing. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* states that it treats body heat because it possesses a slight ability to release the muscle layer (Jieji); it states that it treats strangury (Longbi) because it has abundant power of light diuresis (Danshen). Moreover, its "slippery" quality facilitates the unblocking of orifices and collaterals, thus it also treats difficult lactation in women; its slipperiness combined with dispersing action allows it to treat accumulations and masses in the stomach. For cases of dysuria caused by heat, Talcum is the most essential herb. In cases of external contraction of cold or warm pathogens, presenting with dryness-heat in the upper jiao and profuse loose stools in the lower jiao—a most dangerous condition—one may decoct approximately one tael each of Talcum and Raw Dioscorea Rhizome (Sheng Shanyao) and administer the soup. This will clear heat above and stop diarrhea below, invariably producing immediate effects (see the case record under Ziyin Qingzao Tang for reference).

In cases where the high fever of an external contraction has subsided, yet yin deficiency and rapid pulse prevent recovery, a small amount of Talcum may be added to potent yin-nourishing herbs (such as Prepared Rehmannia Root [Shu Dihuang], Raw Dioscorea Rhizome [Sheng Shanyao], and Goji Berry [Gouqi]). This ensures that residual heat from the external contraction is not retained by the tonifying herbs but can still be excreted via urine, making the disease easier to cure. If administered as a powder mixed with Licorice Root (Liquorice) [Gancao] (six qian of Talcum and one qian of Liquorice, named Liu Yi San, also known as Tian Shui San), it effectively treats summerheat and dysentery due to heat. If taken as a powder mixed with Hematite (Zhesi), it effectively treats hematemesis and epistaxis due to heat. For patients harboring damp-heat, presenting with generalized edema, abdominal distension, and dysuria, Talcum ground together with Mole Cricket (Tugou) into a powder can be used; once urination becomes smooth, the swelling will subside spontaneously. Regarding fever due to internal injury and yin deficiency, where Liu Wei Di Huang Tang is indicated for nourishing yin, a small amount of Talcum may be added to replace Poria (Fuling) and Alisma Rhizome (Zexie), resulting in faster reduction of fever. Although Talcum belongs to the mineral category, its texture is very soft, making it suitable for the spleen and stomach whether in decoctions, pills, or powders. Therefore, it can be added to Liu Wei Di Huang Tang to replace Poria and Alisma. Its power to leach out dampness can originally eliminate the cloying stagnation of Prepared Rehmannia Root just as Poria and Alisma do, and since its nature is cooler than that of Poria and Alisma, it is excellent at assisting yin-nourishing agents to reduce fever.

Tian Shui San is the sacred medicine of Liu Hejian for treating summerheat and is most suitable for summerheat conditions in the South. Since southern summerheat often carries dampness, Talcum clears heat and promotes diuresis simultaneously, and the addition of a small amount of Liquorice harmonizes the middle and replenishes qi (as summerheat damages qi), making it highly appropriate. For summerheat conditions in the North, which may not involve dampness and might even involve dryness, the formula should be modified: using equal parts of Talcum and Gypsum Fibrosum (Sheng Shigao) prepared with Liquorice would be more suitable.