Kaolin
Scientific names: Hydrated aluminum silicate
Alternate names: Argile de Chine, Argilla, Bolus Alba, Caolín, China Clay, Heavy Kaolin, Kaolin Léger, Kaolin Lourd, Light Kaolin, Porcelain Clay, Silicate d'Aluminium Hydraté, Terre à Porcelaine, White Bole
Actions: Desiccant, Hemostatic, Epithelial
Background
Kaolin is a type of clay found in nature. It is sometimes used to make medicine. It is also used as a filler in tablets.
Kaolin is used to stop bleeding and for a condition that involves swelling and sores in the mouth (oral mucositis). It is also used for diarrhea and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Kaolin is used to stop bleeding and for a condition that involves swelling and sores in the mouth (oral mucositis). It is also used for diarrhea and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Kaolin is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken in foods amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when used as kaolin-pectin in medicines and mouthwashes. It can cause some side effects including constipation. Kaolin is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in very large amounts on a daily basis. It can cause blockage of the intestines and low blood iron levels.
When applied to the skin: Kaolin is LIKELY SAFE when used in FDA-approved wound dressings.
When applied to the skin: Kaolin is LIKELY SAFE when used in FDA-approved wound dressings.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Kaolin is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. Kaolin is POSSIBLY SAFE when used as kaolin-pectin in medicines.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Using kaolin in a mouth rinse seems to decrease the pain of mouth sores caused by radiation treatment.
- Bleeding. Pressing on an artery using a kaolin pad seems to stop bleeding faster than pressing with a regular pad. Also, applying a pad containing kaolin to a surgical wound seems to stop bleeding faster than applying a regular pad.
Dosing & administration
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULT
BY MOUTH:
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
ADULT
BY MOUTH:
- For swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis): A mouth rinse containing 15 mL of a mixture of kaolin-pectin and diphenhydramine syrup has been used four times a day.
- For bleeding: A pad containing kaolin has been applied with pressure to wounds to stop bleeding.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
- For bleeding: A pad containing kaolin has been applied to wounds after surgery to stop bleeding.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Clindamycin (Cleocin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Kaolin might decrease how quickly the body absorbs clindamycin (Cleocin), an antibiotic. But it probably doesn't decrease the amount of clindamycin (Cleocin) that is absorbed.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Kaolin might decrease the absorption and decrease the effectiveness of digoxin (Lanoxin), a heart medication. To avoid a potential interaction, separate digoxin (Lanoxin) and kaolin doses by at least three hours.
Quinidine
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Kaolin might decrease the absorption and decrease the effectiveness of quinidine (Quinidex), a heart medication. To avoid a potential interaction, separate quinidine (Quinidex) and kaolin doses by at least three hours.
Trimethoprim (Proloprim)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Kaolin might decrease the absorption and decrease the effectiveness of trimethoprim (Proloprim), an antibiotic. To avoid a potential interaction, separate trimethoprim (Proloprim) and kaolin doses by at least three hours.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
When held in the mouth, a mouthwash containing kaolin produces a protective coating for mouth sores.
When kaolin is applied to wounds it speeds up blood clotting.
When kaolin is applied to wounds it speeds up blood clotting.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 29/12/2022 18:06:15 and last updated on 01/12/2021 07:48:22. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
