Hydrated magnesium silicate 4SiO2 3 MgO H2O   滑 石  Huá shí  Talcum   Mineral  
Nature: Cold        FLAVOR: Sweet, pleasant   CHANNELS: Stomach, Bladder
ACTIONS
Talcum protects the stin and mcous membranes from chemical and toxic irritation. Taken internally it protects the lining of the stomach during gastritis and prevents vomiting and diarrhea. It also inhitis the absorption of poisons in the gastrointestinal tract.[4]
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Diuretic
1. Clears Heat and releases Summer Heat (Damp and Heat)-[1,2,3]  fevers, urinary difficulty, irritability, and thirst.[1,4]
2. Promotes urination to clear Damp Heat from the Bladder.[4] Promotes diuresis.[1] Releases moisture.[1]
3. Topically- absorbs dampness.
INDICATIONS
1. Dysuria with Hot signs-[3,4] gonorrhea, acute cystitis, cloudy urine, painful burning and scanty urine.[4] Urinary calculi- stones.[1]
2. Restlessness and thirst due to Summer Heat.[1,3] Damp Heat jaundice, bloody discharge, hematuria and painful penis, dysentery related edema, weeping dermatitis.[1] Discomfort in chest, thirst. Damp Heat generated diarrhea.[3,4]
3. Assistant herb for warming disease in Qi level.[3] After warming disease person still feeling hot- though no temperature, and thirsty due to remaining Heat in body, and a yellow tongue coating.[4] Use with Yin nourishing herbs.[3]
4. Damp skin lesions- used topically.[4]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Spleen Qi deficiency or spermatorrhea, for depleted fluids due to a warm-debrile disease, and for excessive urination.[4] Use with caution during pregnancy.[4]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Decoction 6-15g.[1,3] Up to 30 g.[3] 9-18 g.[4] Place in a separate, porous bag, such as cheesecloth when decocting.[4] Good quality is soft, smooth, bluish white, and without dust.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Toxicity
References

The Association Between Talc Use and Ovarian Cancer A Retrospective Case–Control Study in Two US States
Daniel W. Cramer,corresponding authora,b Allison F. Vitonis,a Kathryn L. Terry,a,b William R. Welch,c and Linda J. Titusd
Abstract
Background:
Multiple studies of ovarian cancer and genital talc use have led only to consensus about possible carcinogenicity. Seeking greater clarity, we examined this association in 2,041 cases with epithelial ovarian cancer and 2,100 age- and-residence-matched controls.
Methods:
We defined genital talc use as regular application to the genital/rectal area directly, on sanitary napkins, tampons, or underwear. To estimate “talc-years,” we multiplied applications per year by years used. Unconditional logistic regression, Wald statistics, likelihood-ratio tests, and polytomous logistic regression were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), trends, effect-modification, and heterogeneity by ovarian cancer histologic subtype.
Results:
Overall, genital talc use was associated with an OR (95% CI) of 1.33 (1.16, 1.52), with a trend for increasing risk by talc-years. Women who used talc were more likely to be older, heavier, asthma sufferers, and regular analgesic users—none of which was a confounder. Dose–responses were more apparent for premenopausal women, especially nonsmokers and those heavier or postmenopausal users of menopausal hormones (hormone therapy [HT]). Subtypes of ovarian cancer more likely to be associated with talc included invasive serous and endometrioid tumors and borderline serous and mucinous tumors. Premenopausal women and postmenopausal HT users with these subtypes who had accumulated >24 talc-years had ORs (95% CI) of 2.33 (1.32, 4.12) and 2.57 (1.51, 4.36), respectively.
Conclusion:
Risks for epithelial ovarian cancer from genital talc use vary by histologic subtype, menopausal status at diagnosis, HT use, weight, and smoking. These observations suggest that estrogen and/or prolactin may play a role via macrophage activity and inflammatory response to talc.
pidemiology. 2016 May; 27(3): 334–346.
Published online 2016 Apr 1. doi: [10.1097/EDE.0000000000000434]
PMCID: PMC4820665
PMID: 26689397 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov