Calabash Chalk
OTHER NAME(S): Argile, Calabar Stone, Calabash Clay, Ebumba, Lacraie, La Craie, Mabele, Ndom, Nzu, Poto, Shikor Mati, Sikor, Ulo, Tiza de Calabaza, Craie de calebasse
Overview
Calabash chalk is a type of clay. Some people, especially pregnant women, eat calabash chalk as medicine. But calabash chalk contains heavy metals like arsenic and lead, which can be dangerous.
Despite serious safety concerns, calabash chalk is used for morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and skin care, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
There isn't enough reliable information to know how calabash chalk might work. But calabash chalk contains lead and other heavy metals. These heavy metals can cause serious adverse effects in children and adults.
There isn't enough reliable information to know how calabash chalk might work. But calabash chalk contains lead and other heavy metals. These heavy metals can cause serious adverse effects in children and adults.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Morning sickness.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- To reduce appetite.
- Birth control.
- Skin care.
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Calabash chalk is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. It contains lead and other heavy metals that can cause severe adverse effects when consumed in large amounts or for a long time.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calabash chalk is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Calabash chalk is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. It contains lead and other heavy metals that can cause severe adverse effects when consumed in large amounts or for a long time.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if calabash chalk is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Calabash chalk is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. It contains lead and other heavy metals that can cause severe adverse effects to the infant when consumed in large amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Calabash Chalk overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of calabash chalk depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for calabash chalk. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Aprioku JS, Ogwo-Ude EM. Gestational toxicity of calabash chalk (Nzu) in wistar rats. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2018;8(4):249-252.
- Owhorji B, Okon U, Nwankwo A, Osim E. Chronic consumption of calabash chalk diet impairs locomotor activities and social behaviour in Swiss white Cd-1 mice. Heliyon. 2019;5(6):e01848.
- Moses BE, Emma EJ, Christopher CM, Enobong I B, Theresa BE. Effect of calabash chalk on the histomorphology of the gastro-oesophageal tract of growing wistar rats. Malays J Med Sci. 2012;19(1):30-5.
- Ekanem TB, Ekong MB, Eluwa MA, Igiri AO, Osim EE. Maternal geophagy of calabash chalk on foetal cerebral cortex histomorphology. Malays J Med Sci. 2015;22(4):17-22.
- Akpantah AO, Ibok OS, Ekong MB, Eluwa MA, Ekanem TB. The effect of calabash chalk on some hematological parameters in female adult Wistar rats. Turk J Haematol. 2010;27(3):177-81.
- Ekong MB, Ekanem TB, Sunday AO, Aquaisua AN, Akpanabiatu MI. Evaluation of calabash chalk effect on femur bone morphometry and mineralization in young wistar rats: A pilot study. Int J Appl Basic Med Res. 2012;2(2):107-10.
- Reeuwijk NM, Klerx WNM, Kooijman M, Hoogenboom LAP, Rietjens IMCM, Martena MJ. Levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium in clays for oral use on the Dutch market and estimation of associated risks. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. 2013;30(9):1535-45.
- Owhorji BI, Okon UE, Osim EE. Calabash chalk chronic diet consumption elevates anxiety and pain perception. World J. Pharmaceut. Res. 2018;7(12):82-94.
- Alli LA, Nafiu MO. Serum lipid profile and electrolyte concentration in rats administered calabash chalk. J. Compl. Alt. Med. Res. 2017 Aug 8:1-8.
- Nutraingredients. FSA issues warning against calabash chalk. UK Food Standards Agency Warning. October 2002. Available at: https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2002/10/16/FSA-issues-warning-against-calabash-chalk. Accessed October 23, 2020.
- Food Standards Agency. Importing food supplements and health foods. February 2018. Available at: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/importing-food-supplements-and-health-foods. Accessed October 23, 2020.
- NYC Health. Calabash chalk containing lead and arsenic. New York City Warning: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/lead/lead-calabash-chalk-faq.pdf. Accessed October 23, 2020.
- Health Canada. Chalk facial mask (calabash chalk). July 2008. https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2008/12335r-eng.php. Accessed October 23, 2020.
- Health Canada. Calabash chalk may pose health risk for pregnant and breastfeeding women. October 2007. https://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2007/13167a-eng.php. Accessed October 23, 2020.